Earl Smith of Clinton tried his luck on a $10 scratch-off ticket and won a $1 million prize.
Smith purchased his lucky Jumbo Bucks ticket from the Express Market #3 on Russell Street in Clinton. He claimed his prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh.
He had the option of taking the $1 million prize as an annuity of $50,000 a year over 20 years, or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required federal and state tax withholdings, took home $424,503.
Jumbo Bucks launched in April with eight top prizes of $1 million. Two more remain to be claimed.
Ticket sales from scratch-offs make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $900 million a year for education. For details on how money raised by the lottery made a difference in Sampson County in 2020, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.