Swain County man celebrates $10 million top prize win

Terry Millsaps of Bryson City tried his luck on a $50 scratch-off and won a $10 million top prize.

Millsaps bought his lucky $10 Million Spectacular ticket from Times Turn Around on Beatty Drive in Belmont.

When Millsaps arrived to collect his winnings, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $500,000 a year over 20 years or take a lump sum of $6 million.

Millsaps chose the annuity and, after state and federal tax withholdings on his first $500,000 payment, he received his first payment of $358,764. For the next 19 years, he will get annually a payment of $500,000 until he has received the full $10 million prize.

The $10 Million Spectacular game debuted in December 2023 with five top prizes of $10 million, 20 prizes of $1 million and 20 prizes of $100,000. Two $10 million prizes, five $1 million prizes and six $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

Swain County received a $52 million grant, from money raised by the lottery, to help build a new middle school. For details on other ways money raised by the lottery made a difference in Swain County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.