RALEIGH – Luck struck for a second time this week for Jesus Lugo, a Mexican restaurant owner from Carthage. In 2009, he won $100,000 playing the lottery’s Mega Bucks game. On Tuesday, he once again beat the odds when he became the first player to scratch off the $200,000 top prize in the “$” game.

“Twice in five years is not bad,” Lugo said as he collected his winnings. “Who knows? I may win again someday.”

Lugo scratched off the lucky $5 ticket after purchasing it at the Friendly Mart on Kenansville Highway in Warsaw. While he used his 2009 prize money to make repairs to his home, the second time around, Lugo is looking forward with plans for his winnings.

“I’m going to save this money for my children,” he said. “It feels great to have the relief that their future is more secure.”

Lugo scratched off the lucky $5 ticket after purchasing it at the Friendly Mart on Kenansville Highway in Warsaw.

After state and federal taxes were withheld, Lugo received a check for $138,401. As of Wednesday afternoon, three more $200,000 top prizes remain to be claimed in the game.

Ticket sales have made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $3.5 billion for the state. North Carolina Education Lottery net proceeds will be used this year to help pay salaries of teachers and teacher assistants, for pre-kindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, school construction and repair, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.

For details on how more than $19 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Moore County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.