James Turner of Roanoke Rapids took a chance on a $30 scratch-off ticket and won a $1 million prize.
Turner bought his lucky Millionaire Maker ticket from Bobby’s Grocery on Bolling Road in Roanoke Rapids.
When Turner arrived at lottery headquarters Friday, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump-sum amount of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $427,509.
Ticket sales from scratch-off games make it possible for the lottery to raise $2.5 million a day on average for education. The state provided $89 million in grants, using money raised by the lottery, to help Halifax County build new schools. For details on other ways Halifax County benefits from lottery funds, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.