Raleigh resident Paul Leonard took a chance on a $30 scratch-off ticket and won a $5 million prize.
Leonard bought his lucky 200X The Cash ticket from Cool Mart on Penny Road in Raleigh.
When Leonard arrived at lottery headquarters Monday to collect his prize, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $250,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $3 million. He chose the $3 million lump sum and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $2,145,009.
The 200X The Cash game debuted in March 2022 with six top prizes of $5 million and 18 $100,000 prizes. One $5 million prize and two $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.
For details on how $63.5 million raised by the lottery made a difference for education programs in Wake County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.