Clayton, N.C., September 21, 2025
News Summary
Jhonatan Hurtado Espinal became the first winner of $1 million in the Bonus Match lottery game launched by the North Carolina Education Lottery. He purchased the winning ticket at Compare Foods in Clayton. Espinal opted for a lump sum payment of $600,000, taking home $430,503 after taxes. This win follows another significant lottery success in Clayton, increasing excitement for local players as the Powerball jackpot soars.
Clayton, N.C. — Jhonatan Hurtado Espinal has become the first winner of $1 million in the new $1,000,000 Bonus Match game, launched by the North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL) in August 2023. Espinal, a local resident, purchased the winning ticket from Compare Foods on East Second Street in Clayton.
The Bonus Match game offers a total of five $1 million top prizes, of which four remain available for players. This latest win not only highlights the potential of the new lottery game but also adds excitement to the local community, especially given other notable lottery winnings in the region.
Espinal faced a decision regarding how to receive his prize. He opted for a lump sum payment of $600,000 instead of the annuity option, which would have provided $50,000 per year for 20 years. After state and federal taxes were deducted from the lump sum, Espinal was left with a total of $430,503.
This significant win follows another recent lottery success in Clayton, where another resident won a $2 million Powerball prize on Labor Day. This particular winner achieved their fortune by matching five white balls in the Powerball drawing, having purchased a $3 online Power Play ticket. The overall odds of winning in a Powerball drawing stand at approximately 1 in 292 million.
As of now, the Powerball jackpot has soared to $1.3 billion, with the winner given the choice of a lump sum of $589 million. The growing jackpot has captured what seems to be an increasing interest in lottery games in North Carolina, making this an exciting time for players.
Lottery games like the Bonus Match and Powerball are designed not only for entertainment purposes but also serve as a source of funding for educational programs throughout the state of North Carolina. The NCEL emphasizes responsible gaming and provides resources for individuals who might find themselves concerned about gambling addiction. The NC Problem Gambling Helpline is available for those in need of support.
In conclusion, Jhonatan Hurtado Espinal’s win at the Bonus Match game exemplifies the thrill and potential rewards of participating in lottery games. As the community watches, the anticipation builds for future lottery drawings and winners in Clayton and beyond.
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Additional Resources
- ABC11 News
- WCNC News
- WXII 12 News
- North Carolina Lottery News
- The News Observer
- Wikipedia: Lottery
- Google Search: North Carolina Education Lottery
- Google Scholar: lottery winnings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: lottery
- Google News: North Carolina lottery news
Author: STAFF HERE IRMO
The IRMO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIrmo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Irmo, Lexington and Richland Counties, 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 the Irmo Okra Strut Festival, Harbison Community Events, and local sports tournaments at the Palmetto Health Credit Union Foundation Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission and the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center, plus leading businesses in retail and healthcare that power the local economy such as Village at Sandhill and Lexington Medical Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
