A missing gas receipt sent a Concord college student to the lottery counter, where he walked away with a $2 million Powerball prize.
Key points
- A missing gas‑pump receipt led Bram Dunehew to purchase a Powerball ticket that won $2 million.
- The Power Play option doubled the base $1 million prize to $2 million before taxes.
- After taxes, Dunehew will receive $1,440,201 and plans to buy his father a Cadillac.
- Powerball odds remain 1 in 292 million, with the current jackpot exceeding $800 million.
Bram Dunehew, a civil‑engineering student from Concord, stopped at Sam’s Mart on N.C. 49 in Harrisburg to fill his car on Friday, but the pump failed to print a receipt. He went inside, bought a $3 Powerball ticket and left, never expecting the ticket to change his life, the North Carolina Lottery reported on November 4, 2026.
The ticket matched all five white balls in the Halloween Powerball drawing on Saturday, earning Dunehew the $1 million base prize. Because he had added the Power Play option, the prize doubled to $2 million, a figure he described as “absolutely preposterous” and said he “fell over when I saw it.”
From a Missing Receipt to a $2 Million Prize
After federal and state tax withholdings, Dunehew’s net take‑home amount was $1,440,201. He told the lottery officials that he intends to buy his father a Cadillac with part of the winnings, while the rest will help fund his education and future plans.
The win came as the Powerball jackpot sat at $835 million annuity (or $357.9 million cash) for the Wednesday drawing, with odds of 1 in 292 million for the jackpot. The NC Lottery notes that Powerball is one of six draw games available in the state, purchasable at retail locations or through its online platform and mobile app.
How the Ticket Won
A video of Dunehew discussing the surprise win is embedded on the lottery’s website, and the blog post includes comments from readers congratulating the new millionaire.
Reader questions
How much did Dunehew receive after taxes?
According to the NC Lottery blog, after required federal and state tax withholdings, Dunehew took home $1,440,201.
What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?
The lottery’s post states the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million.
Source: nclottery.com
