North Carolina lottery spending posts largest US jump, study finds
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The gist
North Carolina's per-capita lottery spending rose 20.3% to $506 in 2024, the biggest increase in the US.
The jump followed digital instant games launched in late 2023, reshaping how residents play.
Background
North Carolina's lottery is run by the NC Education Lottery (NCEL), which publishes results and news releases on wins. A LendingTree study, released Oct. 19, 2026 and analyzing 2024 data, found the state's per-capita lottery spending climbed from $421 in 2023 to $506 in 2024 — a 20.3% rise, the largest in the nation. LendingTree attributed the increase to digital instant lottery games introduced in November 2023, which generated more than $1.3 billion in fiscal year 2024. The findings drew coverage as the state's Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots also topped $1 billion.
How it unfolded
- Nov 2023Digital instant lottery games were introduced in North Carolina, generating more than $1.3 billion during fiscal year 2024.
- 2024North Carolina spent $5.67 billion on the lottery, and per-capita spending rose from $421 in 2023 to $506, a 20.3% increase, the largest in the nation.
- Oct 19, 2026LendingTree released a study analyzing 2024 lottery data, the most recent year available.
- Oct 21, 2026CBS17 published the LendingTree study findings on North Carolina's lottery spending increase.
- Oct 23, 2026The NCEL said Powerball and Mega Millions offer more than $1.1 billion in total jackpots this weekend.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- LendingTree attributed North Carolina's spending increase to the November 2023 launch of digital instant lottery games, which generated over $1.3 billion in fiscal year 2024.
- Official
- The NCEL states that no valid claim may be based on winning numbers posted on its website, and that official numbers certified by the Multi-State Lottery Association and/or the NCEL control in a discrepancy.
Still unverified
The NCEL says no valid claim may be based on winning numbers posted on its website; in a discrepancy, the official numbers certified by the Multi-State Lottery Association and/or the NCEL control.