Kenneth Smith of Danbury sat in awe as he watched his $10 Carolina Black: Millionaire Edition ticket reveal a $1 million top prize.
“It feels great,” said Smith as he claimed his prize Tuesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. “I’ve been trying for a long time.”
Smith purchased his winning ticket from Briggs Grocery on N.C. 8 North in Danbury.
He had the choice of taking the $1 million as an annuity of 20 payments of $50,000 a year or a lump sum of $600,000. Smith chose the lump sum and took home $424,503 after required state and federal tax withholdings.
Carolina Black: Millionaire Edition launched in September with five top prizes of $1 million. One top prize remains to be won.
Ticket sales from scratch-offs make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $725 million per year for education. For details on how lottery funds have helped all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.