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news blog > article

Guilford County man mines first $4,000,000 Gold Rush top prize

September 2, 2020 Posted by NC Lottery at 9:54 AM
image-photo

Fred Freeman Jr. of Greensboro found himself the first winner of a $4,000,000 Gold Rush top prize.

Freeman purchased his lucky ticket from Quick Snack on Battleground Avenue in Greensboro.

He claimed his prize Tuesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. He had the option of taking the $4 million as an annuity of $200,000 a year for 20 years or a lump sum of $2.4 million. He chose the lump sum and, after required federal and state tax withholdings, he took home $1,698,006.

The $4,000,000 Gold Rush game launched in August with three top prizes of $4 million and six prizes of $100,000. Two $4 million prizes and five $100,000 prizes remain to be won.

27 COMMENTS

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9/04/2020 07:45 - Sarah B.

@STEVE K.: Hi Steve, We're happy to explain. We believe the $2 million win you're referring to is actually a Powerball win, not a scratch-off win. In games like Powerball and Mega Millions, only the jackpot is annuitized - meaning that even if you win the second prize of $2 million, it is paid out in a lump sum and only taxes are withheld. Scratch-off prizes are a little different. Prizes of $1 million or more offer players the choice between an annuity and a lump sum. For example, a player won the $4 million top prize from the Gold Rush game. He had the option of receiving the full $4 million prize over 20 years, or a lump sum of $2.4 million. He chose to take the lump sum payout and taxes were then withheld from that amount.

9/04/2020 01:45 - Jason M.

Lucky peoply i cant even win my money back wish i had the luck and won a good 1 for a change

9/04/2020 01:39 - Jason M.

Congrats on the win but i got a cpl ? Y do nc lottery get more then the person that won? And if someone took the annuity and if person died before getting it all does the spouse get it or does it stop NC Lottery
Great questions, Jason. In general, top prizes of $1 million or more for scratch-offs offer players the option of the lump sum or annuity. The difference you noted is not kept by the lottery, but simply the difference that the lump sum amount would make in interest if it sat in the bank for 20 years. If a player opted to receive their prize as an annuity over 20 years, those payments would continue to the winner's estate even in the even of their passing.

9/03/2020 11:45 - Steve K.

I do not understand the pay outs on scratch tickets, this guy wins 4mil and only gets 1.6mil and saw were another guy wins 2mil and gets 1.4mil can someone explain this, I've played on line ever since it started and only hit for a dollar here and there but I never here of any big winners in my area anyway seem if you don't live near Raleigh you don't win big. NC Lottery
Hey Steve, We answered your questions in the comments above.

9/03/2020 08:31 - shirley b.

congratulations ??????

9/03/2020 04:07 - mary d.

Congratulations

9/03/2020 01:53 - johnnie j.

That is what I'm talking about. I need to win.' lee you and continue to keep the FAITH.'

9/03/2020 12:37 - Laura M.

All the best to you and your family.

9/03/2020 12:35 - Tamika W.

Congrats! I keep having BIG winner dreams, hopefully one comes to reality... ????

9/03/2020 11:48 - Benjamin B.

Congratulations Fred! I will be soooo thankful when God blesses me to win big as well!

9/03/2020 11:31 - sheila a.

Congratulations I pray that I will be blessed to win such a large amount like that soon.

9/03/2020 10:17 - NDAYE K.

Congrats. I will be next. Lol

9/03/2020 08:57 - Robert H.

Congratulations!! I been having trouble scanning my tickets, it signs me out every time I try to scan ticketNC Lottery
We're sorry to hear that, Robert! Please try deleting and reinstalling the app. If this continues, you can reach our online support team 24/7 at nclottery.com/Help and they can offer additional help.

9/03/2020 07:35 - Brandon B.

Congratulations!! ???? when I win. I think I’d be more inclined to take the annuity. NC Lottery
Love the optimism, Brandon! Everyone has different reasons for which option they would choose and why. What's yours?

9/03/2020 03:19 - Sheila I.

Move on.....

9/02/2020 11:08 - Chris N.

Congratulations

9/02/2020 10:44 - Christopher S.

Congrats to u Fred. Enjoy those winnings. I live in Raleigh and I hope to one day be in your shoes and get lucky. Seems like the tickets in the Raleigh area aren't gonna get me there though.NC Lottery
Hey there Christopher, Where a winning ticket ends up is all a matter of random chance. Raleigh has certainly seen its fair share of big winners - we hope your lucky day comes soon!

9/02/2020 08:14 - Glynis M.

I am going to be the winner of the next online drawing!!:) Congratulations Fred!!

9/02/2020 07:23 - roberta n.

Congratulations. So happy for you.

9/02/2020 05:33 - Gloria C.

Congratulations to you and I wish you many more happy wins.

9/02/2020 05:14 - Anita R.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BIG WIN, Soooooo HAPPY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. GOD IS GOOD,ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY!!!!!

9/02/2020 03:38 - Douglas H.

AWESOME Win Fred!!!! Congratulations to you and your loved ones :-)

9/02/2020 03:29 - john a.

I don't know what is weird about Greensboro. It's the second largest city in NC.

9/02/2020 02:09 - Casselle W.

I am so happy for you my brother, spend it wisely and pay it forward!!

9/02/2020 10:55 - cheryl b.

Congratulations

9/02/2020 10:49 - Taylor A.

way to go FRED!!!! now RETIRE! lol

9/02/2020 10:00 - Sheila I.

Seems to be these weird counties. I'm really starting to wonder where these scratch offs are really being distributed. Congrats to him....

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