New Bern lottery winner plans to use his winnings to help refugees
A New Bern man bought a $5 lottery ticket Tuesday that led him to winning a $267,513 lottery jackpot.
More: “I saw zero, zero, zero": Pamlico County woman wins big from N.C. Lottery
Lottery winner Ner Wah, 35, said he plans to use a portion of his Fast Play jackpot winnings to help refugees in Burma, a news release states. Wah lived in a refugee camp for 10 years before he immigrated to the U.S. 15 years ago.
“I want to help my refugee people back in Burma,” Wah said. “They need a lot of help.”
Wah said his friend who was also playing, asked if he wanted to buy the ticket at Klo Htoo Asian Market on Neuse Boulevard in New Bern, the release states. The release says Wah never bought a Fast Play ticket before Tuesday. He said he had a feeling he was going to win something but maybe just $20 or $30.
“I was just happy because I thought it would be enough to cover my groceries,” Wah said jokingly.
Wah said in the news release his whole body started to shake when he realized he hit the jackpot.
“My hands and feet started tingling,” he said. “It really made my dreams come true.”
The Rockin’ Bingo ticket returned this month for a new run, and Wah played the game just in time for him to become a lucky winner, the release says.
He claimed his prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters. After required state and federal tax withholdings he took home $189,962.
According to a news release, the odds of winning a Fast Play jackpot are one in 320,000.
Reporter Symone Graham can be reached by email at sgraham@gannett.com. Have a story tip or idea? Send it her way.
This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: New Bern lottery winner plans to use his winnings to help refugees
