Gastonia, December 15, 2025
A lucky player in Gastonia, North Carolina, has become $2 million richer following a recent Powerball drawing. This win is part of a larger trend of significant lottery wins across North Carolina, including another prize of $500,000 claimed in Charlotte. The Powerball game, known for its massive jackpots, offers players various ways to win with additional options like Power Play and Double Play, increasing their chances and potential earnings. Proceeds from the lottery significantly benefit education in the state, totaling over $11 billion since its inception.
Gastonia
A recent Powerball drawing on Saturday, December 13, 2025, has made a player in Gastonia, North Carolina, significantly wealthier with a $2 million prize win. This substantial win was part of a national drawing that also saw other significant prizes claimed across the state.
Major Wins Across the State
Alongside the remarkable $2 million prize in Gastonia, another North Carolina lottery player secured a $500,000 prize with a Powerball ticket purchased in Charlotte. These two wins highlight a successful drawing for players in the state.
Understanding Powerball
Powerball is a multi-state lottery game played across 45 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Players select five white ball numbers from 1 to 69 and one red Powerball number from 1 to 26. Tickets cost $2 per play. Players can also opt for a “Quick Pick” to have numbers randomly selected by the terminal. Drawings are held three times a week, every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday night.
To win the Powerball jackpot, players must match all five white balls and the red Powerball number. The five white ball numbers do not need to be in any specific order. There are nine ways to win prizes, ranging from matching just the Powerball number for $4, up to the jackpot.
Enhancing Winnings with Power Play and Double Play
For an additional $1 per play, players can add the Power Play option, which can multiply non-jackpot winnings by 2, 3, 4, 5, or even 10 times. However, the Power Play multiplier does not apply to the jackpot prize. Notably, if a player with the Power Play option matches all five white balls, their prize automatically doubles from $1 million to $2 million, regardless of the Power Play number drawn.
Another optional add-on is Double Play, available for an extra $1 per play. With Double Play, the same numbers chosen for Powerball are entered into a second drawing held immediately after the main Powerball drawing, offering a chance to win up to $10 million. Power Play multipliers do not apply to Double Play prizes.
The Chances of Winning
The overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are approximately 1 in 24.87. The odds of winning the jackpot are significantly higher, at approximately 1 in 292.20 million. Jackpots begin at $20 million and continue to grow until a winner is determined. Jackpot winners have the choice to receive their prize as an annuity, paid in 30 graduated payments over 29 years, or as a lump-sum cash payment.
Lottery’s Impact on the State
In North Carolina, 100% of the net proceeds from the lottery are dedicated to supporting education across all 100 counties. Since its inception in 2005, the North Carolina Education Lottery has raised over $11 billion for education. These funds are allocated by state legislators to various educational programs, including school construction, transportation, salaries for non-instructional support staff, and need-based college financial aid.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What was the top prize won in Gastonia?
- A Powerball ticket in Gastonia, North Carolina, won a $2 million prize.
- When was the Powerball drawing for the Gastonia win?
- The Powerball drawing took place on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
- Were there other significant Powerball wins in North Carolina?
- Yes, a $500,000 Powerball ticket was also won in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- How much does a Powerball ticket cost?
- Each Powerball ticket costs $2.
- How many numbers do you need to match to win the Powerball jackpot?
- To win the Powerball jackpot, players must match five white ball numbers and one red Powerball number.
- What is the Power Play option?
- The Power Play option costs an additional $1 per play and can multiply non-jackpot winnings by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times, with the exception of the jackpot prize.
- What is the Double Play option?
- Double Play is an optional add-on for an extra $1 per play, allowing the same Powerball numbers to be entered into a second drawing immediately after the main drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million.
- What are the overall odds of winning a Powerball prize?
- The overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are approximately 1 in 24.87.
- Where do North Carolina Education Lottery proceeds go?
- 100% of the net proceeds from the North Carolina Education Lottery are dedicated to supporting education across all 100 counties of the state.
Key Powerball Features
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Gastonia Win Prize | $2 million | State-level |
| Charlotte Win Prize | $500,000 | State-level |
| Drawing Day for Gastonia Win | Saturday, December 13, 2025 | Nationwide |
| Cost per Powerball Play | $2 | Nationwide |
| Numbers Selection (White Balls) | 5 numbers from 1 to 69 | Nationwide |
| Numbers Selection (Powerball) | 1 number from 1 to 26 | Nationwide |
| Power Play Cost | Additional $1 per play | Nationwide |
| Power Play Multiplier Range | 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x (non-jackpot prizes) | Nationwide |
| Double Play Cost | Additional $1 per play | Nationwide |
| Double Play Top Prize | Up to $10 million | Nationwide |
| Overall Odds of Winning a Prize | Approximately 1 in 24.87 | Nationwide |
| Odds of Winning Jackpot | Approximately 1 in 292.20 million | Nationwide |
| Powerball Drawing Frequency | Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights | Nationwide |
| NC Lottery Proceeds Beneficiary | Education across all 100 counties | State-level |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
