Jose Castro Merino of Angier is the latest winner of a $1 million Millionaire Maker prize.
Merino purchased his lucky $30 scratch-off ticket from the Plaza Family Fare on West Cumberland Street in Dunn.
He claimed his prize Friday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh.
Merino had the option of taking the $1 million as an annuity of $50,000 a year over 20 years, or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum of $600,000 and took home $424,509 after required federal and state tax withholdings.
Millionaire Maker is the first scratch-off game to offer 30 $1 million prizes. Nine $1 million prizes remain to be claimed.
Ticket sales from scratch-offs make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $900 million a year for education. For details on how $8.1 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Harnett County in 2020, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.