RALEIGH – When it comes to playing the lottery, Van Hill of Indian Trail and Wayne Clifton of Monroe have an understanding. The two brothers-in-law agreed that – should either one of them ever buy a lucky ticket – they’d share the prize money.

A lucky $1 million scratch is giving them the chance to do exactly that.

After stopping Saturday afternoon at Bojangles’ to eat lunch, Hill drove next door to refuel his truck at the Market Express on Old Monroe Road in Indian Trail. But, before buying gas there, he decided to try his luck playing the new $10 Millionaire Jingle Bucks instant game.

“I said to the clerk, ‘Is that a new ticket? Let me have three of them,’” Hill recalled. “I won $20 on the first one, $1 million on the next one – and, I don’t even remember about the third one.”

Hill said he was so shocked to win that he forgot to buy gas. He called his brother-in-law to share the good news.

“True to his word, we’re sharing the prize,” Clifton said.

A $1 million prize in the game can be claimed in 20 annuity payments of $50,000, or a one-time lump sum of $600,000. Clifton and Hill opted to split the lump sum payment for $300,000 apiece. After taxes, each winner’s share came to $207,601.

The North Carolina natives, who describe themselves as mostly retired, said they plan to use their prize money to help their families. Hill said he planned to pay off his daughter’s mortgage and car loan.

“It’s just something you’ve always dreamed about,” Hill said of his win. “But it won’t change me one bit. I’m gonna keep driving my old truck.”

Clifton had some parting advice for other big winners.

“Enjoy it, savor it,” he said. “But give yourself some time. And spend responsibly.”

Millionaire Jingle Bucks is one of five holiday-themed instant games that began Nov. 4. With Clifton and Hill’s claim, two top prizes of $1 million 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. Lottery 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 $66.7 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Union County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.