Michael Fisher of Fitzgerald, Ga., took a chance on a $10 scratch-off and won a $1 million top prize.
Fisher, who was in North Carolina for work, bought his lucky $1,000,000 Bonus Match ticket from Minuteman Food Mart on North Roberts Avenue in Lumberton.
When Fisher arrived at lottery headquarters Tuesday to claim his prize, 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.
Fisher chose the $50,000 annuity so, for the next 19 years, he’ll get a check for $50,000 until the full $1 million prize is paid. He received the first of the 20 payments on Tuesday and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $35,878.
The $1,000,000 Bonus Match game debuted in August with five $1 million top prizes. Three $1 million prizes remain to be claimed.
The N.C. Education Lottery’s Play Smart™ program helps North Carolinians make the most of their lottery play. Visit ncplaysmart.com to learn about all things lottery, from tips on how odds work to how to enter bonus drawings.