Gastonia Dad Will Buy His Family A House With $250,000 Win

RALEIGH – The ability to buy a house means the world to Joshua Ramsey of Gastonia, and a $250,000 lottery win will make that dream come true.

“This is life-changing for us,” Ramsey said. “I’m going to buy my family a home.”

Ramsey initially went to Mike’s Food Store on South York Road in Gastonia on Tuesday to buy a drink, but ended up buying a $5 20X The Cash ticket too.

“Something was just telling me to get that ticket.,” Ramsey said. “I’m sure glad I did.”

Ramsey won the first top prize in the new scratch-off game, which debuted this week. He said he, ‘was absolutely blown away’ when he saw how much he won.

“I started shaking all over,” he recalled. “It’s one of those experiences you’ll never forget.”

Ramsey said he called his sister and his son to share the good news.

“They were both just over the moon ecstatic,” Ramsey said.

He collected his prize at lottery headquarters Friday and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $178,751.

In addition to buying a home, Ramsey said he will look into buying a car too.

The 20X The Cash game debuted in February with 10 $250,000 top prizes. Nine $250,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

For details on how $14.7 million raised by the lottery made a difference for education programs in Gaston County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.