Son’s Lucky Guess Helps NC Mom Win $100K Lottery Prize

A North Carolina mom is still in shock after her son’s playful prediction turned into a six-figure lottery win.

Emily Praytor was scratching a $30 MAX-A-MILLION ticket in the car while her husband drove and her son sat in the backseat. Out of nowhere, he said, “I hope you win on number 55.” Moments later, that exact number revealed itself as the winning one.

The mother of three couldn’t believe her luck. “I was like, did we really win this?” Praytor told lottery officials. That “lucky guess” scored her a $100,000 prize. After taxes, she walked away with $71,758.

• She plans to use part of the winnings for home renovations and tuck the rest into savings.

• The game still has big prizes left, including 19 worth $1 million and eight more at $100,000.

Praytor called the experience “pretty awesome,” though it took a moment for the reality to sink in.

While lottery stories like this spark excitement, officials also remind players that gambling can be risky. If you or someone you know struggles with gambling, the National Problem Gambling Helpline is available at 1-800-522-4700.