Cynthia Moore of Smithfield tried her luck on a $10 scratch-off ticket and won the first $1 million top prize in a new game.
Moore bought her lucky $1,000,000 Cashword ticket from Rock Ridge Mart on N.C. 42 West in Wilson.
When Moore arrived at lottery headquarters Monday, she had a decision to make. She could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. She chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $429,003.
The $1,000,000 Cashword game debuted in August with four top prizes of $1 million. Three $1 million prizes remain to be claimed.
For details on how $15 million raised by the lottery made a difference for education programs in Johnston County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.