Darren Dennison of Marion, Va., tried his luck on a $10 scratch-off and won a $1 million prize.
Dennison bought his Hamilton ticket from the Sheetz on North Main Street in Kernersville.
When he arrived at lottery headquarters on Monday, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump-sum amount of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $426,058.
Hamilton debuted in September with four $1 million prizes. Two $1 million prizes remain to be claimed.
Ticket sales from scratch-offs make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $2.5 million a day on average 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, www.nclottery.com.