Charlotte Man Wins $300K Playing Big Spin Lottery Game

CHARLOTTE, NC — A Charlotte auto mechanic who recently won $300,000 playing a lottery scratch off game says he intends to spend the money on fulfilling his children’s dream of having a pool.

Yaya Kara of Charlotte bought a winning Big Spin scratch-off ticket at R&K Express Mart on Lawyers Road in Mint Hill, according to the North Carolina Education Lottery.

The scratch-off game, which launched in October, sells for $5 and includes three levels of play. “Players can win a cash prize instantly, or get directed to a website where they can spin a digital wheel and win a cash prize or a Big Spin,” NCEL said. “If they win a Big Spin prize, they get the chance to spin the BIG SPIN prize wheel during a live event and win up to $500,000.”

“I scratched it and saw a wheel,” Kara said in a statement. “I didn’t know what I won. I showed it to the clerk who scanned it. Music started playing so I knew I won something good. When I learned how much I could win, I was shocked and excited. It was a good day.”

On Nov. 19, Kara traveled to Raleigh to spin the Big Spin prize wheel, which stopped at $300,000. After required state and federal tax withholdings, Kara took home $212,522, NCEL said.

“They’ve been asking for a pool ever since they found out I had a chance to spin the wheel,” Kara said of his children. “I’m planning to get a new home with a pool, but most importantly, I plan to take care of my mom.”