Anson County man snags first $2 million Premier Cash prize

August 31, 2021 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:27 AM

Darrell Ratliff of Wadesboro knows what it feels like to become the first winner of a Premier Cash $2 million top prize.

“It was an amazing feeling,” he recalled of winning. “I couldn’t believe it. I’m just really excited.”

On Friday, Ratliff purchased his winning $20 ticket from the Top Mart on Camden Road in Wadesboro.

He claimed his prize Monday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh.

Ratliff had the choice of taking an annuity of $100,000 a year for 20 years or a lump sum of $1.2 million. He chose the $1.2 million lump sum and, after required federal and state tax withholdings, took home $849,006.

“It really means a lot to me,” said Ratliff.

Premier Cash launched in August with four top prizes of $2 million and eight $100,000 prizes. Three top prizes and eight $100,000 prizes remain to be won.

12 COMMENTS

9/01/2021 03:58 - Kim-Fai L.

If he choose to take annuity, does that mean 100,000 per year and the remaining 1.9 million will earn interest and how much?NC Lottery
Hi Kim-Fai, if the player took the annuity he would receive $100,000 a year minus state and federal taxes. The amount remaining to be paid would earn interest for the lottery over the course of the 20 years and would be used to pay out the prize for the player. When the player takes the lump sum, the same approximate amount of interest would be earned by the player after saving for 20 years, meaning that if the player saved the lump sum payout for 20 years they would have around the same amount at the end of 20 years as they would have received through the annuity payments.

9/01/2021 06:26 - Anita A.

Congrats:)

9/01/2021 04:32 - Stephanie G.

Congrats I can't wait until its my time I play every day!

8/31/2021 10:35 - JULIE I.

Congratulations

8/31/2021 09:39 - Anna B.

Congratulations!!!

8/31/2021 08:15 - Leticia H.

Congrats!!

8/31/2021 07:14 - robert s.

i think it is a shame that this man won 2 million but because he didn't take it for 20 years they only gave him 1.2 million and then after taxes he got less then a million so actually he only won 1.2 million and the lottery board got the rest..NC Lottery
Hi Robert, thanks for the opportunity to share more info on this! The difference between the annuity and the lump sum is not a penalty. The 40% difference between the lump sum and the annuity would be earned on interest over the course of 20 years. When the lottery began, only annuities were offered for prizes like this. Players asked to have the choice to take a lump sum, so we began offering it. It is always up to the player to choose which one to go with. Hope this helps clear things up!

8/31/2021 04:21 - Teressa D.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

8/31/2021 03:18 - Ellyn H.

Congratulations and many Blessings ??????

8/31/2021 12:37 - CHRISTINA T.

Congrats to you and I am next.

8/31/2021 12:24 - JIA L.

what a luck...I wish that would be me one day. I hit 500 on this new ticket, but someone just hit the 2millions...that difference

8/31/2021 11:54 - Timothy G.

Awesome ????????

Anson County man snags first $2 million Premier Cash prize

August 31, 2021 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:27 AM

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