The number zero has proved to be lucky for a few thousand lottery players in North Carolina, who hit the largest jackpot in Pick 4, Lottery officials announced.
On Saturday, the North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL) held a Pick 4 drawing. The winning combination, 0-0-0-0, led to a $7.8 million jackpot which exceeded the previous record set in 2012 when a total of $7.5 million was given out to winners.
In a released statement, the NCEL officials said that over 2,000 residents matched all four numbers.
Almost half of them bought $1 tickets, which got each of them a $5,000 prize, while those who bought $0.50 tickets received $2,500 each.
The statement further reads that the chances of matching all four numbers are 1 in 10,000. The combination, such as 0-0-0-0, is known as “Quads” in Pick 4, with the NCEL explaining that it’s the most popular one among players.
The winners can get their prizes by visiting the NCEL’s headquarters or its regional offices within 180 days. The Lottery also announced that the payment process could be delayed due to the number of winners.
The NCEL helps fund the education system in the state. In 2018, it raised $670 million to support education programs.