Fayetteville woman wins $1 million instantly

May 3, 2019 Posted by NC Lottery at 4:15 PM

Makela Meeks of Fayetteville became the latest winner of the top prize of $1 million in the $1,000,000 Back Scratch game.

Meeks claimed her prize Friday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. She purchased the lucky $10 ticket at the One Stop Shop on Strickland Bridge Road in Fayetteville.

She had a choice of taking the $1 million as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. She chose the lump sum and after tax withholdings took home $424,503.

Meeks won the fourth top prizes in the game. One more $1 million prize remains to be claimed.

33 COMMENTS

8/19/2020 10:11 - Preston B.

so you get taxed twice and end up with lower than half of the initial price amount. I don't see the point of being taxed twiceNC Lottery
Winners are not double-taxed on lottery winnings. By law, we are required to withhold 24% federal and 5.25% state taxes on prizes at the time a winner claims. Depending on each individual's unique financial situation, a person's tax obligation could be more or less than what was withheld. Think of lottery winnings like income - taxes are withheld at each paycheck, but at the end of the year, depending on how much you paid, you might owe some or you might get some back. That's why we encourage winners to consult with a tax professional before claiming.

5/07/2019 08:43 - Srinivasa K.

I understand the top tier prizes are set up as annuities but even the second tier prizes of $1 million are annuities(on 4,5, and 10 million scratch offs) unlike PB or MM which is not fair. The person who just won a $1 million on Supreme Riches took home only $424,509 even though it was a second tier prize. NC Lottery
Hey Srinivasa, It is just a difference in the way those national draw games are set up compared to our North Carolina scratch-off games. In general, top prizes of $1 million and up for scratch-offs offer players the option of the lump sum or annuity. That is the same for the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot. The $1 million Powerball prize is the second-level prize, and under the Powerball prize structure, the lump sum/annuity does not apply.

5/07/2019 03:43 - Janice G.

Congratulations!! I want to know why nobody ever wins big in Ocean Isle Beach?? I have heard people say its because we are so close to the South Carolina line. Any truth or thoughts?NC Lottery
Hey Janice, We can assure you that's not true. Over time, people win the lottery more or less in proportion with the amount of people taking a chance in that area. A less populated county like Brunswick will have less players over time compared to a county like Mecklenburg. No matter where you play the lottery, you have the same chances of winning a prize. It has to be that way for the lottery to be fair to everyone! That said, here's a link to some past winners in the Ocean Isle Beach area: http://bit.ly/2H6gBz9

5/07/2019 12:10 - phillip b.

Congrats

5/06/2019 04:05 - Tiffany c.

Congratulations. But why haven't anyone in Hollister nc ever won anything big..NC Lottery
We've certainly had big winners in Hollister! Here's a peek at a few of them: http://bit.ly/2WrwaGB

5/06/2019 11:41 - Nicole B.

God bless you I will be next

5/05/2019 10:39 - Ruthie S.

Congratulations Makela. I a sure this wind fall come at the exact right moment. I think the State should get 5% Tax and the Federal 5% of total winnings, not over half a million dollars for winning one million.

5/05/2019 10:36 - Tony T.

ok Denver and NC lottery, so why the difference in taxes taken out per a scratch off and a draw game? Ms. Meeks won 1 ml. on a scratch off and took home 424,503k after taxes on a lump sum. Mr. Montgomery won 1 ml. with the powerball and took home 707,501 after taking the lump sum. What am I missing ? NC Lottery
There is no difference in taxes withheld - whether it's a PB win or a scratch-off win. But there is a difference in payout options simply because the games are set up differently. Ms. Meeks (scratch-off winner) had to choose between a $600,000 lump sum payout OR a $50,000 X 20 year annuity payout (which equals $1 million). She chose the $600,000 payout, was then taxed on $600,000 and she ultimately took home $424,503. Mr. Montgomery (PB winner) was not given an annuity option (because this was a second-tier prize for this game and there is no annuity option), so he received the full $1 million winning prize amount minus taxes. He ultimately took home $707,501.

5/05/2019 02:00 - Roslyn K.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!!!!

5/05/2019 01:53 - judy p.

congratulation

5/05/2019 11:22 - Denver G.

Sooooo. I guess I'll ask again. As far as payouts go. What is the DIFERENCE between a $1million win on a scratch off and a $1million win in a draw game like PB,MM &even C5 ??? I'm thinking the simple answer is , Scratchers you get the lump sum or annuity choice and draw games you don't ??? NC Lottery
Hey Denver G. You're exactly right! A $1 million win for a scratch-off game is usually a top prize and the winner chooses between a lump sum payout or the annuity option. Whereas a $1 million win for a draw game is typically a second tier prize and winners must choose the lump sum payout option. Hope that clarifies things for ya.

5/05/2019 10:23 - Tony T.

Thanks Denver, I don't think they did either but that's ok. Guess I didn't make my question totally clear. Mrs. Meeks and Mr. Montgomery BOTH took the lump sums ( correct?) so just wondering about how the immediate taxes differ with scratch offs vs multi state lottery winnings?

5/05/2019 09:18 - Brian R.

Morning, I won $500 in Thanksgiving day last year with Big Ole Bucks in Winston Salem near Clemmons. I bought a cash 5 in Asheville Friday night and won $250 you just have to be at the right place at the right time. I win some in Morganton.

5/05/2019 08:55 - Teresa M.

Congratulations

5/05/2019 07:53 - Denver G.

Hey LZ, I don't think you addressed Tony's question correctly. Scratch off vs draw game $1 million winners choices.

5/05/2019 05:43 - Gregg J.

Congrats! My lucky day is coming soon

5/05/2019 04:12 - thomas p.

Congratulations

5/05/2019 02:28 - Kristi S.

Congratulations

5/05/2019 02:08 - Fanta K.

Congrats to you hope that I am NEXT

5/05/2019 01:49 - Bessie P. M.

Good job

5/04/2019 10:33 - Libbymary B.

Wonderful

5/04/2019 10:12 - vanessa b.

congratulations on yur win

5/04/2019 03:16 - judy w.

Congratulations

5/04/2019 01:52 - Deborah C.

Blessings to you

5/04/2019 12:58 - Gregory F.

Great to see someone in the east win big most of the time it is Raleigh Durham area are the western part of the state. I know that know one in the Ahoskie area is winning buying tickets all over the area winning nothing.

5/04/2019 11:34 - Tony T.

not sure I understand how taxes work on a scratch off vs the powerball winnings..can you explain? James Montgomery recently won 1ml. with the powerball and below is what it said about his take home winnings. "Montgomery and his wife claimed his prize Monday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $707,501." Big chunk of change$$ in difference. Congrats to all the lucky winners! NC Lottery
Hey Tony, lottery winnings are taxed as income and we're required by law to withhold taxes at a 24% federal and 4.75% state rate. Big winners are always given the choice between a lump sum payout or an annuity amount paid out over 20 years. In this case the winner chose the lump sum, and the difference you refer to ($292,499) they'll earn on interest over the course of 20 years. Hope this helps!

5/04/2019 07:40 - Charlie H.

Congratulations Makela, what a great win!

5/04/2019 06:48 - Tamara B.

Why say 1million winner when 9 times out of 10 the person is going to choose lump sum so you take almost half of that that then take another huge percentage for "required taxes" Then if that's not enough highway robbery we still have to file it on our taxes and that's more money gone.... IT WAS NEVER A 1MILLION DOLLAR WIN... NC Lottery
Hey Tamara, lottery winnings are taxed as income just the same as a salary is taxed - and we're required by law to withold taxes. The lottery doesn't take a part of the prize from the winner who chose the $600,000 annuity over the $1 million lump sum. The difference between the two ($400,000) will be earned on interest over the course of 20 years and used to pay out the winner.

5/04/2019 12:28 - DOROTHY D.

Congratulations????

5/03/2019 08:01 - Douglas H.

That’s Awesome Makeka!! What a super big blessing. Congratulations

5/03/2019 06:37 - Marsha L.

Congratulations....

5/03/2019 06:05 - Tammy W.

Why is it that some stores never get big wins while others do all the time? NC Lottery
Hey Tammy, the odds don't change based off of what brand of store a ticket is purchased from. It has to be that way in order for the lottery to be fair for everyone! Over time, you'll notice that big wins are more or less in proportion with the locations that people are playing.

5/03/2019 05:38 - cheryl c.

now i stay in fayetteville also and aint won nothing i even no of that store she bought the ticket at. what a great win anice life changing win congrats

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Fayetteville woman wins $1 million instantly

May 3, 2019 Posted by NC Lottery at 4:15 PM

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