North Carolina Education Lottery
The North Carolina Education Lottery, commonly called the NC Education Lottery or NC Lottery, is the official state lottery serving North Carolina. It operates as part of the North Carolina state-government structure and was created to offer regulated lottery games while generating funds for education programs. The lottery began selling tickets in 2006 and has since expanded from traditional scratch-off and draw games into digital instant games, Online Play, a mobile application, player rewards, and additional regulated gaming responsibilities.
The NC Education Lottery’s core mission combines entertainment, integrity, responsible gaming, and financial support for public education. Lottery proceeds support programs selected through the state budget process, including school construction, non-instructional support personnel, school transportation, N.C. Pre-K, and scholarships. In fiscal year 2026, the lottery reported an estimated $1.14 billion generated for education, marking the fourth consecutive year that annual education proceeds exceeded $1 billion and bringing cumulative education funding to more than $13.4 billion since operations began.
The organization is led by Mark Michalko, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, who joined the NC Education Lottery in 2018. In addition to operating state lottery games, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission has broader regulatory responsibilities that include sports wagering oversight. The organization maintains headquarters and a claim center in Raleigh along with regional claim offices across North Carolina.
North Carolina Education Lottery
2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144
Raleigh, NC 27604
United States
The official NC Lottery Contact page identifies this as the current headquarters and Raleigh Regional Office/Claim Center.
The North Carolina Education Lottery is a state governmental enterprise rather than a conventional private corporation.
Its principal administrative office is
2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144
Raleigh, NC 27604
For qualifying prize claims mailed to the lottery
North Carolina Education Lottery
P.O. Box 41606
Raleigh, NC 27629-1606
Players should follow the lottery’s official claim instructions carefully before mailing any original winning ticket.
The Raleigh headquarters also operates as a regional prize claim center.Prizes of $100,000 or more must be claimed in person at NC Lottery headquarters, according to the lottery’s current FAQ.
No outdated headquarters replacement is needed for this page. Current official Lottery contact information confirms 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604.
877-625-6886, press #4
This is the current verified headquarters and Raleigh Regional Office/Claim Center number.
Player Services
877-962-7529.
2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604
2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604
Player Services
PlayerInfo@lotterync.net
Online Play, Lucke-Rewards, and app support:
customersupport@mail.nclottery.com.
State Lottery, Government Gaming, Digital Lottery, Responsible Gaming and Sports Wagering Regulation
Authorized in 2005, with lottery ticket sales beginning in
2006
Mark Michalko.
Current NC Lottery public information reports
More than 7,000 retail locations statewide
with recent official financial material showing more than 7,100 participating retailers.
Estimated fiscal 2026 contribution
$1.14 billion
Cumulative contribution since launch
More than $13.4 billion as of June 30, 2026.
The lottery recruits through an online application process and requires background screening for selected candidates.
Scratch-off tickets are instant-win lottery products sold through authorized North Carolina retailers. Games are offered at different price levels with varying prize structures, odds, themes, and top-prize amounts.
Powerball is a multi-state jackpot draw game available to North Carolina players. Tickets can be purchased through authorized retailers and, for eligible registered players, through the Lottery’s Online Play system.
Mega Millions is another major multi-state jackpot game available in North Carolina. The jackpot changes according to sales and prior drawings, while additional prize tiers allow players to win without matching every number.
Pick 3 is a North Carolina draw game where players select three digits and choose from available play types. Draw schedules, prize amounts, and wagering options are governed by the lottery’s current game rules.
Pick 4 allows players to select four numbers and choose among available wager structures. It provides multiple ways to win based on the numbers drawn and the play type selected.
Carolina Cash 5 is a North Carolina jackpot game built around selecting numbers for regularly scheduled drawings. The jackpot can grow when there is no top-prize winner.
Cash Pop is a draw game introduced to North Carolina’s product lineup with multiple drawings during the day. Players select a number and can win by matching the number drawn.
Lucky for Life is a multi-state game built around long-term prize concepts, including life-related top prizes. North Carolina joined the game in 2016.
Digital Instant games are online games available to eligible registered players through NC Lottery Online Play. The category has become a significant part of the lottery’s sales portfolio.
Online Play allows eligible adults located within North Carolina to purchase qualifying lottery products digitally through the official website or mobile application. Player identity, age, location, and account requirements apply.
The official app provides game information, account access, ticket-related tools, Lucke-Rewards, Online Play, results, and other features.
Support
866-934-0289, available 24/7 for Online Play, Lucke-Rewards, and app assistance.
Lucke-Rewards is the NC Lottery’s player loyalty program. Eligible members can participate in rewards activities, promotions, drawings, and other account-based features.
The lottery operates claim centers across North Carolina where qualifying winners can redeem larger prizes and obtain assistance with the claim process.
Major prizes have specific identification, tax, documentation, and in-person requirements.
The NC Lottery supports thousands of licensed ticket retailers across the state with equipment, account support, sales operations, commissions, training, and other business services.
Retailer Services
877-382-4530, option 2.
The lottery promotes responsible play and provides access to problem-gambling resources.
Current Problem Gambling Helpline
877-718-5543.
877-625-6886, press #4
877-625-6886, press #4
877-625-6886, press #4.
877-625-6886, press #4
Player Services
877-962-7529
Online Play / Lucke-Rewards / Mobile App
866-934-0289
This support channel is available 24/7.
Player Hotline
877-962-7529
877-382-4530, option 2
1-888-732-6235
Also expressed as
1-888-SEC-NCEL
Published operating hours are daily, including holidays, from 5:00 AM to 2:00 AM, with voicemail available 24 hours.
877-625-6886, press #4
877-625-6886, press #2
877-625-6886, press #1
877-625-6886, press #5
877-625-6886, press #3
877-625-6886, press #6.
877-718-5543
711
The NC Lottery directs users to the state-provided Telecommunications Relay Service.
The lottery does not operate a conventional consumer billing department.Debit-card purchase issues involving lottery vending machines can be routed through
877-382-4530, option 2, then option 5.
No separate public corporate sales number is applicable.Retail sales are conducted through licensed retailers and Online Play.
Not applicable.
The North Carolina Education Lottery is a state-government enterprise rather than a shareholder-owned company.
The NC Lottery operates a Media Center, but no universal standalone public press phone should be substituted for official current departmental contacts unless directly verified for a specific inquiry.
The lottery specifically states that the headquarters number should not be used for employment inquiries.
Applicants should use
https://nclottery.com/careers.
Not applicable.
For general player questions, prize claims, ticket issues, or game information, start with Player Services at 877-962-7529. If the issue is specifically related to Online Play, Lucke-Rewards, the website, or the mobile app, use 866-934-0289, which is available 24/7. Player Services can also be contacted at PlayerInfo@lotterync.net, while digital-support inquiries can use customersupport@mail.nclottery.com.
For prize-claim matters, the correct route depends on the prize amount. The lottery operates six regional offices and claim centers, while prizes of $100,000 or more must be claimed at the Raleigh headquarters. Before visiting, have the original ticket, required identification, Social Security information, and any claim forms required for the prize level.
Retail businesses should not use the ordinary Player Hotline for licensing, terminals, commissions, or retailer operations. Those matters should go to Retailer Services at 877-382-4530, option 2. Security issues should use 1-888-732-6235.
Complaints may involve a lottery ticket, prize claim, retailer interaction, Online Play account, debit-card transaction, Lucke-Rewards, app problem, security concern, responsible-gaming issue, or another lottery operation. Keep the ticket where applicable, retailer location, transaction date, account screenshots, payment record, correspondence, and any existing case number before escalating.
Begin with Player Services at 877-962-7529 for a general lottery complaint. Clearly explain the ticket, game, retailer, prize, or transaction involved and provide the relevant dates. For digital-account matters, use 866-934-0289 so the case reaches the Online Play support team rather than general headquarters.
Use Retailer Services for retailer-related matters, Security for suspected fraud or ticket-security concerns, and the Online Play team for digital issues. Debit-card problems involving a lottery vending transaction have their own Customer Services routing through 877-382-4530, option 2, then option 5.
If the first support contact does not resolve the complaint, ask for review by a supervisor or the appropriate lottery management team. Provide the prior case details and a concise timeline showing the original transaction, what support told you, and what remains unresolved. Keep notes of representative names and promised follow-up.
Written complaints can be submitted through the appropriate official lottery email channel. General player inquiries can use PlayerInfo@lotterync.net, while Online Play and app support can use customersupport@mail.nclottery.com. Written communication is particularly useful when screenshots, account records, or detailed transaction history are involved.
For a serious unresolved issue, correspondence can be sent to North Carolina Education Lottery, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604. Include full contact details, game or account information, dates, previous complaint history, and copies of supporting documents. Do not mail a winning ticket merely as part of a complaint unless you are following the official prize-claim procedure.
Suspected fraud, ticket tampering, security issues, or significant retailer misconduct should be escalated through the Security Hotline at 1-888-732-6235. Online wagering or sports-wagering disputes are governed by specialized rules and regulatory procedures that may require the operator to investigate and provide a written response.
The correct authority depends on the complaint. Sports-wagering disputes may involve the North Carolina State Lottery Commission under its sports wagering regulatory role. Other matters may involve state law-enforcement, financial, or administrative authorities when the complaint falls outside ordinary lottery Customer Service.
For a payment-card issue that cannot be resolved through the lottery’s vending-machine support process, contact the financial institution that issued the card when appropriate. Fraud or deceptive-business concerns involving a private third party may also warrant contact with the North Carolina Attorney General’s consumer-protection resources.
If a significant dispute remains unresolved, review the applicable game rules, State Lottery Commission rules, and North Carolina law before pursuing administrative or legal action. Preserve the original evidence, tickets, account history, written responses, transaction details, and proof of all prior attempts to resolve the matter.
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