Gudiel Lopez of Charlotte is celebrating his good fortune after he won $1 million playing the Extreme Millions scratch-off game.
Lopez claimed his prize Wednesday 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. Lopez chose the lump sum.
He bought the $30 ticket at the Cornor Mart on Eastway Drive in Charlotte.
Extreme Millions launched in December with four top prizes of $10 million and 22 prizes of $1 million. All top prizes and 16 $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 Mecklenburg County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.