Lottery officials say ticket sales rose for the sixth year in a row, reaching an estimated $1.59 billion for the fiscal year which ended on June 30. That's an increase of 9.2 percent. Higher sales also produced a record for yearly transfers to education of $456.7 million.

 

Twenty people won $1 million or more playing instant games. Eleven won playing Powerball and two captured Mega Millions cash. A Greenville family won $57 million, their share of a Mega Millions jackpot. Three North Carolinians each won $4 million playing instant games.

 

Winners came from 22 North Carolina counties, with three winners each from Durham and Forsyth counties.