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From NC Education Lottery:

RALEIGH – Jeffrey Kettle of Greenville took a chance on a $20 scratch-off on Thursday and won a $2 million top prize.

He bought his lucky Big Cash Payout ticket from Chicod Store on N.C. 43 South in Greenville.

When Kettle arrived at lottery headquarters Monday to collect his prize, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $100,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $1.2 million. He chose the lump sum of $1.2 million and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $858,006.

Big Cash Payout debuted in July 2023 with four $2 million top prizes and eight $100,000 prizes. One $2 million prize and three $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

Play Smart, Gift Smart is the N.C. Education Lottery’s annual campaign highlighting the risks of youth gambling. The campaign raises awareness that popular holiday scratch-offs should only be gifted to adults. In this year’s campaign, North Carolinians can donate school supplies at a lottery claim center, support a good cause, and get a chance to win a prize. Visit NCEL Play Smart for more information.