Jake Mauceri of Leland and his wife plan take a honeymoon in Aruba after a $5 ticket produced the first $200,000 top prize in a new scratch-off game.
“We popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate,” he said.
Mauceri said he and his wife got married three months ago and just moved to North Carolina two months ago. He couldn’t wait to share the news with her after he won.
“She said, ‘You’re lying to me,’” he laughed. “It took her a minute.”
Mauceri bought the lucky Cash King ticket from Minuteman Food Mart on Mercantile Drive in Leland.
“You don’t really believe it at first,” Mauceri said.
He arrived at lottery headquarters Friday to claim the prize. After required state and federal tax withholdings, Mauceri took home $144,021.
In addition to a honeymoon, Mauceri plans to pay some bills and invest his winnings.
The Cash King game debuted this week with four $200,000 top prizes. Three $200,000 prizes remain to be claimed.
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