Willie Pridgen Sr. is the latest player to win $1 million playing the Extreme Millions scratch-off game.
Pridgen claimed his prize Thursday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. He had the choice of taking a $1 million annuity that has 20 payments of $50,000 a year or a lump sum of $600,000. Pridgen chose the lump sum, and after federal and state tax withholdings received $417,015.
He bought the $30 ticket at the Freshway Food Mart on U.S. 117 South in Rocky Point.
Extreme Millions launched in December with four top prizes of $10 million and 22 prizes of $1 million. All top prizes and 17 $1 million prizes remain. There are also three second-chance drawings remaining with a prize of $1 million.
Ticket sales from games like Extreme Millions made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $634 million for the state last year. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in Pender County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.