Jeremy Wilson of Willow Spring got a life-changing stroke of luck Wednesday night when a $50 scratch-off revealed a $10 million top prize.
“I only buy $50 tickets when I’m feeling lucky,” he said.
Wilson, 20, bought his lucky $10 Million Spectacular ticket from North River Tobacco Barn on Caratoke Highway in Jarvisburg. He then scratched the ticket in the store.
“It was a crazy feeling,” Wilson said recalling his winning moment. “I couldn’t control myself.”
He said he told his mom right away what happened.
“She thought I was joking,” he laughed.
Wilson’s big win marks the third $10 million win in North Carolina so far this year.
When Wilson arrived Thursday to collect his winnings, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $500,000 a year over 20 years or a lump sum of $6 million. He chose the lump sum of $6 million and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $4,305,014.
Wilson plans to take his mom on a trip for her birthday and save the rest of his winnings.
The $10 Million Spectacular game debuted in December 2023 with five top prizes of $10 million, 20 prizes of $1 million and 20 prizes of $100,000. Since Wilson won the last $10 million top prize, the lottery will begin the process of ending the game.
The N.C. Education Lottery’s Play Smart™ program helps North Carolinians make the most of their lottery play. Visit ncplaysmart.com to learn about all things lottery, from tips on how odds work to how to enter bonus drawings.
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Congratulations, but the lotteries love for you to take the annuity. Look at those poor folks that won Publisher's Clearing House annuities. The company filed bankruptcy, and their annuity was immediately cut off. If our government cut out all the corruption happening to our country, the lotteries would be the first to go.
4.3 million out of 10 million. You would think the NC lottery was broke. There should be NO annuity’s for any lottery prize!
Congrats but get yourself a financial advisor like Fidelity or Edward Jones . Make that money work for you . By the time you retire you could have a boatload of money. Do not go handing it out to friends . 4 mil sounds like a lot and it is but believe me if you are not careful it’ll disappear.Enjoy
Be wise with the money. Make the right decision, invest, buy property. Do not spend on toys. You may never have a second chance in life. Thank God for the opportunity to not be worried about debts or jobs.
Wow Jeremy! Talk about a lucky feeling, that's a blessing. Christmas came early for you. So wise a decision you made, and so young. So sweet of you to think of your mom as you won. Keeping her first is where your win blessed you. Enjoy! Enjoy and stay wise.
If it had been me and being just 20 years old I believe I would took the 500k for 20 years. But congratulations enjoy the trip with your mom.