Dora Arzate-Bello of Sims took a chance on a $30 scratch-off and won a $1 million prize.
Arzate-Bello bought the lucky Millionaire Maker ticket from Mr. S Tobacco and Grill on U.S. 264 Alt in Sims. When she arrived at lottery headquarters Monday to collect her prize, she had a decision to make. She could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. She chose the lump-sum amount of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $426,069.
The Millionaire Maker game launched in March 2021. Arzate-Bello became the 28th person to win one of the $1 million prizes.
Ticket sales from scratch-off games make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $900 million per year for education. For details on how $3.7 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Wilson County in 2021, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.