How to Play North Carolina Millionaire for Life
$5 a play · Every day · 11:15 PM ET
- 1Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 58 and a Millionaire Ball from 1 to 5, or ask for a Quick Pick.
- 2Each play is $5, and there's a drawing every night.
- 3Choose how many drawings in a row to play, starting with the next one.
- 4Match all 5 numbers and the Millionaire Ball to win $1,000,000 a year for life.
- 5Match all 5 numbers without the Millionaire Ball to win $100,000 a year for life.
- 6Match 2 or more numbers, or 1 number and the Millionaire Ball, to win a cash prize.
You must be 18 or older to buy a ticket or claim a prize. Sales stop an hour before each drawing. See every prize
More Millionaire for Life rulesHow it works · Prizes · Liability limit
- How it works
- Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 58 and a Millionaire Ball from 1 to 5, which can be the same as one of your 5 numbers. Win with 2 or more of the 5 numbers, or with 1 number and the Millionaire Ball. The 5 numbers match in any order.
- Prizes
- The top prize is $1,000,000 a year for life and the second prize $100,000 a year for life. A winner makes a final choice between yearly payments and one cash payment: $18 million for the top prize or $2.2 million for the second. Yearly payments last for the winner's life and at least 20 years. If the winner dies within the first 20 years, the rest of those payments go to their estate or beneficiary; after 20 years, they stop at death, and the winner sends a notarized proof of life each year to keep being paid. A prize claimed by more than one person, by a company or other entity, or where it's allowed by a minor, is paid for exactly 20 years. Every other prize is a set cash amount, and each play wins only its highest prize.
- Liability limit
- The top prize is shared. With 2 to 20 winning plays, each gets an equal share of $1,000,000 a year, at least $50,000 a year, or an equal share of the $18 million cash. With 21 or more, the $18 million is split equally in cash, with no yearly payments. Since the September 1, 2026 drawing, up to 7 second-prize winners each get $100,000 a year for life or $2.2 million; with 8 or more, $15 million is split equally among them in cash, with no yearly payments. If a drawing's prizes would pass the game's liability limit, every prize level can be lowered.
Reviewed by Bishop Woosley, former Director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and NASPL President.
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Good to know
- Before You PlayNorth Carolina Lottery Draw Times Drawn every day at 11:15 PM ET. Sales stop at 10:15 PM ET.
- After You WinHow to Claim a North Carolina Lottery Prize Up to $599 at any lottery retailer. You have 180 days to claim.
- Keep MoreNorth Carolina Lottery Tax Calculator North Carolina taxes winnings at 3.99%. 3.99% state tax is withheld from prizes of $600 or more, plus 24% federal tax from prizes over $5,000.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about North Carolina Millionaire for Life rules
How do you play North Carolina Millionaire for Life?
Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 58 and a Millionaire Ball from 1 to 5, or ask for a Quick Pick. Each play is $5, and there's a drawing every night. Choose how many drawings in a row to play, starting with the next one. Match all 5 numbers and the Millionaire Ball to win $1,000,000 a year for life. Match all 5 numbers without the Millionaire Ball to win $100,000 a year for life. Match 2 or more numbers, or 1 number and the Millionaire Ball, to win a cash prize.
How much is a Millionaire for Life ticket in North Carolina?
$5 a play.
How late can you buy North Carolina Millionaire for Life tickets?
The North Carolina Millionaire for Life cutoff time is an hour before each drawing: 10:15 PM ET for the 11:15 PM drawing.
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