James Rothwell of New Bern tossed and turned Monday night, but it wasn’t because he was worried, all the emotions that come with winning $100,000 kept him awake.
“It’s an experience to win like that,” Rothwell said.
Rothwell bought the $4,000,000 Platinum Payout scratch-off ticket at the A & E Stop N Shop on U.S. 17 in Vanceboro.
“When I went to scan my ticket, it kept flashing claim at lottery headquarters,” Rothwell said. “That’s when I knew I won.”
Rothwell said he felt a mix of emotions.
“It’s hard to describe what I was feeling,” Rothwell said. “I couldn’t sleep last night.”
Rothwell claimed his prize Tuesday morning at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $69,256. He plans to use the money to restructure his business.
The $20 ticket launched in September with three top prizes of $4 million, five $1 million prizes, and 12 $100,000 prizes. All top prizes, four $1 million prizes, and nine $100,000 prizes remain.
Ticket sales from games like $4,000,000 Platinum Payout made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $634 million for the state last year. For details on how more than $36.3 million in lottery funds has made a difference in Craven County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.