Gary Banther of Lake Toxaway had a much different reaction than his wife after a $10 scratch-off won them a $1 million top prize.
“I didn’t even say a word I just stared at it,” Banther recalled.
Then he told his wife.
“I said, ‘Look at this,’ and she went crazy,” Banther laughed.
He bought his lucky $10 Jumbo Bucks ticket from Lake Toxaway Trading Post on Rosman Highway in Lake Toxaway.
“I’m still thinking, ‘Is this true,’” Banther said. “I’m just thankful and grateful.”
When he arrived at lottery headquarters Monday, Banther had a decision to make. He could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required tax withholdings, took home $430,503.
He plans to use his some of his winnings to buy his wife a car.
The Jumbo Bucks game debuted in August with eight $1 million top prizes. Five $1 million prizes remain to be claimed.
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