RALEIGH – Joseph and Susan Nemec of Wilmington are celebrating their luck after winning $1 million playing the Extreme Millions scratch-off game.

The couple claimed the prize Monday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. They 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. The Nemecs chose the lump sum. After required state and federal tax witholdings, they took home $417,015.

They bought the $30 ticket at the MJ Pit Stop on Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington.

Extreme Millions launched in December with four top prizes of $10 million and 22 prizes of $1 million. All top prizes and 15 $1 million prizes remain. There are also three second-chance drawings remaining with a prize of $1 million.

Ticket sales from instant games like Extreme Millions make it possible for the lottery to raise more than half a billion dollars a year for education. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in New Hanover County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.