Union County woman says $1 million prize “real handy” for bills, retirement

August 17, 2021 Posted by NC Lottery at 10:29 AM

Saturday night fun playing the lottery paid off for Penny Edwards of Wingate when she found a $1 million prize on her scratch-off ticket.

Edwards said she and her husband enjoy playing the lottery together. When they buy tickets, they check the number of each ticket and she gets to scratch the odd-numbered tickets and he scratches the even-numbered ones. They bought two $30 Millionaire Maker tickets at the Xpress Mart on U.S. 74 East in Wingate and sat together in their car outside the store to play them.

“We had 14 and 15 so I scratched the 15 and it was boom,” Edwards said Monday as she collected her prize at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. “My eyes teared up. I must have been holding my breath because my husband said, ‘Breathe, Penny, breathe!’”

She had the option of taking the $1 million as an annuity of $50,000 a year over 20 years, or a lump sum of $600,000. Edwards chose the lump sum of $600,000 and took home $424,509 after required federal and state tax withholdings.

“It’s going to come in real handy,” said Edwards. “It is paying off bills and saving for retirement.”

Millionaire Maker is the first scratch-off to offer 30 $1 million prizes. Edwards became the 18th person to win one of those $1 million prizes. Twelve more remian to be won.

20 COMMENTS

8/22/2021 06:32 - Tony T.

@ Richard and Jia..what they are doing with the keno 2nd chance is a LOT more fair to all here, should do it more often. That and or limit the #of entries per person per promo, been too many REPEAT winners here in the past, prob. store owners/dumpster divers.

8/22/2021 03:28 - Sheila I.

@william A. I agree. The scratch offs are becoming a joke and ncel knows it. People are buying several games in a row and winning absolutely nothing... something's not adding up....hmmmmm

8/20/2021 08:58 - NC Lottery

Response to Richard D.: Hi Richard, great question! We usually allow players to win more than once in any given promotion with multiple draws, but only once per drawing. In this case, it was changed to once during the promotion. So if a player wins in drawing 1, they will be disqualified from winning in future draws in this promotion. Have a great weekend!

8/20/2021 02:54 - Richard D.

"Hi Jia, thanks for the question......There is no rule that says a player can't win more than once." One small but significant exception - The Carolina Keno Second Chance Draw. The Rules PDF - Section 6 under Entry Eligibility Requirements - states "Players are not eligible to win more than one prize in this Promotion." So if a Player wins in Draw #1 this means they are not eligible to win in Draws #2, #3 and #4? If so, it would have been nice if this "One and Done" had been displayed more prominently with the Promotion announcement rather than buried in the Rules. Also if so, this is unlike the 2021 Multiply the Cash Second Chance Promotion. Its Rules PDF - also Section 6 of Entry Eligibility Requirements - states "Winners are not eligible to win more than one (1) prize per drawing but are eligible to enter and win in other drawings associated with this “2021 Multiply the Cash” Second Chance Drawing Promotion." Am I missing anything here? Thanks!

8/18/2021 10:02 - William A.

Do your research before buying these tickets. If all the grand prizes are won don't buy them. If the lottery dumps another run on top of a old run don't buy them. If you buy a new run and its bad don't buy them for a couple of months! Ask the store clerks! They will tell you when they start seeing bigger prizes! Sometimes a new ticket is hot but over the past few years they have got worse. Just make sure your getting the best odds possible before you waste your money. Thanks

8/18/2021 02:47 - Michael B.

Hey NCEL! Are you able to claim money through a trust ? Not necessarily anonymous but through a trust you created. NC Lottery
Hi Michael, great question. You can claim a lottery prize as a trust, but it cannot be a “blind trust” which would allow you to claim a prize anonymously. By law we’re still required to disclose the trust, its trustor or grantor, and its beneficiaries of that trust.

8/18/2021 11:26 - addie r.

I been playing every since lottery started. I use to win some off scratch off, but now, you have to buy at least 10 tickets to win, i bought 6 $20 tickets, in a row, and didn't even win $20 back, i mean in a row, so the billions NCEL is winning is part of my money, and to think that some how every other ticket should be a winner. I want my my money back, and i bought 4 $30 tickets in a row and didn't win anything, so, im very disappointed but i guess its my fault, for being stupid enough to keep buying

8/17/2021 09:55 - Jean M.

Great win! Congrats to you both!

8/17/2021 09:22 - William A.

It should be taxes Paid to be a true Millionaire!! $424,000 or $35,000 a year after taxes for the next 20 years is NO millionaire no matter the MATH your using. Please stop with the FALSE ADVERTISING. Thank You

8/17/2021 06:50 - Debbian R.

Congrats

8/17/2021 04:42 - Natalie R.

Congratulations ??

8/17/2021 04:24 - JIA L.

@NCEL,would you show me the rules about Lucke-Rewards or Second Chance drawings, just making sure that I am not banned...since I put in enormous amount of entries but still can't win a pennyNC Lottery
Hi Jia, it takes a lot of luck to win a Second Chance drawing. You are most likely not banned but if you would like to find out for certain you can call Online Play Customer Service at 866-934-0289. To review the rules for lottery games and our social media policy, please visit this link: https://nclottery.com/Rules. Have a great day!

8/17/2021 03:45 - Charmaine M.

You're a lucky Penny ?

8/17/2021 03:42 - William W.

Congrats ?

8/17/2021 03:20 - JIA L.

Hi, NCEL,I would like to know are there under any conditions that you would ban players for winning monthly reward drawing or 2nd chance drawing? just curiousNC Lottery
Hi Jia, thanks for the question. As long as a player is following the rules then there shouldn't be any reason to ban them from Lucke-Rewards or Second Chance drawings. There is no rule that says a player can't win more than once. Good luck!

8/17/2021 02:58 - Ray F.

That's so great! Congratulations! Hey, twelve more to be won - maybe I should pick one up - who knows, right!

8/17/2021 01:34 - Gloria C.

Congratulations to you both. I wish you both many more wonderful wins.

8/17/2021 01:33 - Anita A.

Congrats, Penny:)

8/17/2021 11:41 - Darlene M.

Congratulations

8/17/2021 11:35 - Anna B.

Congratulations!!!

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Union County woman says $1 million prize “real handy” for bills, retirement

August 17, 2021 Posted by NC Lottery at 10:29 AM