The first top prize of $5 million in the $5,000,000 Fortune scratch-off game goes to Gabriel Campos of Willow Spring.
Campos purchased the lucky ticket at Circle K on West Williams Street in Apex.
He claimed his top prize Friday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. Campos had the choice of taking the $5 million as an annuity of 20 payments of $250,000, or a lump sum of $3 million. He chose the lump sum. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $2,122,506.
The $20 ticket launched in August with three top prizes of $5 million and six $100,000 prizes. Two top prizes and five $100,000 prizes remain.
Ticket sales from scratch-off games make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $700 million a year for education. For details on how lottery funds have helped all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website, https://www.nclottery.com.