Atkinson store employee wins $1 million lottery prize in Pender County

ATKINSON, NC (WWAY) — A Pender County man is celebrating a big lottery win after scoring a $1 million prize on a scratch-off ticket.

Maulin Patel of Atkinson purchased the winning 50X The Cash ticket from Atkinson Minute Mart on West Church Street, where he works.

Patel claimed the first $1 million top prize in the new game, which debuted in January.

When he arrived at lottery headquarters Monday, Patel had the option to receive his winnings as an annuity of $50,000 per year over 20 years or take a lump sum payment. He chose the lump sum of $600,000.

After required tax withholdings, Patel took home $432,063.

The 50X The Cash game launched with 12 top prizes of $1 million. According to the North Carolina Education Lottery, 11 top prizes remain unclaimed.

Lottery officials say funds raised through ticket sales support education programs across the state. In Pender County, those funds helped provide $5.1 million in support last year.