Anthony Yates
A woman from North Carolina hit the jackpot on a new lottery game. She told lottery officials she plans to clear off her bills and share her winnings with her kids.
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According to a news release by the NC Lottery, Trena Nicholson of Hamlet snagged the grand prize of $2 million from the new $20 Ruby Red 7’s scratch-off. She purchased her winning ticket from the Speedway on West Hamlet Avenue.
Nicholson told staff at the lottery headquarters, “I was jumping up and down, screaming. I had to look at it again to make sure I was seeing it right.” The lottery winner also revealed that she always believed she would eventually hit the jackpot. “I just had a feeling. I told them it would happen,” she reportedly said. NC Lottery explains that Nicholson is a mother of six, and called them all right away with the good news.
The Jackpot Winner Opted To Take The Cash As A Lump Sum
Like many lottery top prizes, Nicholson had to choose between taking money in installments or as a lump sum. The caveat to taking the prize in one go is that it’s often a lesser amount. NC Lottery explains that the North Carolina woman could either collect her winnings in yearly installments of $100,000 for 20 years or as a single payment of $1.2 million.
Nicholson opted for the latter and took home $861,006 after tax withholdings. The outlet reveals that Ruby Red 7’s debuted this month with three $2 million grand prizes up for grabs. Two remain alongside seven $100,000 prizes.
Earlier this month, a man from Michigan managed to beat incredible odds with back-to-back wins. First, he won a respectable $300 from a $30 Jumbo Jackpot Slots Fast Cash ticket. The man then spent $20 of his winnings on a Super Lucky 7s ticket and ended up $714,891 richer.
The Michigan Lottery detailed that the winner beat odds of 1 in 600,000 to claim the progressive prize. He told lottery officials he plans to pay off his bills, put cash in his children’s college funds, and save the rest.
