North Carolina Lottery Adds Popular ‘Cash Pop’ Game To Library

The North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL) has introduced a new addition to its lineup of games: Cash Pop, a dynamic draw game designed to be easy to play while offering fast rewards. Available starting November 17, Cash Pop now allows players to win prizes of up to $2,500 in five daily drawings. 

At its core, Cash Pop, the first new draw game launched by the NCEL since 2020, is a straightforward numbers game. Players select one or more “POPs” from a pool of 15 numbers; if their chosen number matches the number drawn, they win.

What sets Cash Pop apart from other lottery games is its simplicity—players only need to match one number to claim a prize. Prizes are pre-assigned and printed on each ticket, ensuring a minimum payout of five times the amount wagered, with the odds of winning a prize set at 1 in 15. 

Mark Michalko, chief executive officer of the NCEL, emphasized the game’s accessibility in a press release announcing its arrival. He described it as a fun and unique addition to the lottery’s offerings, catering to players who appreciate its simplicity and quick-play style. 

A proven hit across the U.S.

Cash Pop has already gained a strong foothold in other U.S. markets, where it has resonated with lottery enthusiasts of all stripes. So far, it has been introduced in almost a dozen states, including Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and others.

International Game Technology (IGT), the game’s developer, conducted a study last year, revealing insights into the game’s appeal. 

Unlike traditional draw games, which typically attract players closer to the age of 50, Cash Pop draws a younger crowd, with the average player age being 43. Among frequent players, the average age dips even further to 40, countering the long-standing perception that lottery games primarily appeal to older demographics. 

The study also found that Cash Pop players are more likely to be male, college-educated, and from households with higher-than-average incomes. Frequent players tend to live in urban areas, have larger families, and play the game approximately three times a day, reflecting the game’s popularity and the appeal of its frequent drawing schedule. 

Game mechanics and economic impact

Cash Pop’s innovative design is likely to influence player behavior and overall lottery participation in North Carolina. National data shows that nearly half of all players who have tried Cash Pop increased their overall lottery spending, with frequent players reporting an even more substantial rise.

On average, according to IGT, players engage with the game 2.4 times daily, underscoring the importance of offering multiple daily drawings—a feature that North Carolina has incorporated with five daily opportunities to win. 

The prizes are another compelling aspect. With odds of winning the top prize set at 1 in 15,000, and a guaranteed minimum prize of five times the wager, Cash Pop offers a mix of accessibility and options. Players can choose to select multiple POPs or all 15 numbers to guarantee a win, adding a layer of strategy for those who want to maximize their chances.