A Powerball ticket sold in Illinois matched all six numbers in Wednesday night's drawing, winning an estimated $1.04 billion jackpot, according to the lottery organization.
He got a notification that he won a prize playing Powerball, but he thought it was probably a modest amount, "$8 or $16."
Richard Kee Jr. purchased his $2 winning ticket at West 10th Mart in Roanoke Rapids.
It is the second-largest prize won in North Carolina lottery history.
The ticket owner has 180 days to claim the prize.
Brandon Jeffries bought a $3 Powerball ticket online and matched the numbers on four white balls and the red Powerball.