Amanda Wood of Concord has her mother-in-law to thank after a $5 scratch-off purchase led to a $200,000 prize.
“I gave her the money and she chose the ticket for me,” Wood said.
Wood’s mother-in-law said she chose the Ruby Red 7’s ticket because she “likes the color red.”
“I was in shock,” Wood said, recalling her winning moment. “You never see that amount of money.”
Wood bought her lucky Ruby Red 7’s ticket from Monroe Discount Beverages on Morgan Mill Road in Monroe. She stopped by lottery headquarters Monday to claim her prize and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $142,501.
Wood said she will use her winnings to pay some bills and renovate some investment properties.
Ruby Red 7's debuted in December with six $200,000 prizes. Three $200,000 prizes remain to be claimed.
Ticket sales from scratch-offs make it possible for the lottery to raise $2.5 million a day on average for education. For details on how $15.6 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Cabarrus County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.