Veronica Cunningham of Charlotte hoped to retire this year and now she can after a second-chance drawing delivered her a $1 million top prize.
“This is crazy,” she said. “It’s just wild.”
Cunningham found out she won her big prize in the $10 Million Spectacular Second Chance drawing when she got a notification from the lottery. There were more than 1.9 million total entries in the third of four drawings.
“It still hasn’t set in yet that this is real,” she said.
Cunningham said she has entered second-chance drawings for years hoping to win.
“I always had lots of hopes and dreams,” she said.
When Cunningham arrived at lottery headquarters Friday, she had a decision to make. She could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. She chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $430,500.
Cunningham said in addition to her retirement she plans to pay off her house.
Players get a second chance with their $10 Million Spectacular scratch-offs by scanning them into their lottery accounts where they were automatically entered into the drawing. In addition to the $1 million top prize, the drawing had one $500,000 prize and 10 $50,000 winners. $10 Million Spectacular tickets can still be entered into the final drawing. No date has yet been set for when that drawing will be held.
The N.C. Education Lottery’s Play Smart™ program helps North Carolinians make the most of their lottery play. Visit ncplaysmart.com to learn about all things lottery, from tips on how odds work to how to enter bonus drawings. If you or someone you know needs support, visit morethanagame.nc.gov/ for free, confidential help.
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