Duplin County man wins $1 million prize
DUPLIN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Duplin County man hit it big when he stopped to buy gas on Monday.
Otis Gurgainous bought a Lucky No. 7 scratch-off ticket from the Newton Grove Family Fare on Harnett Dunn Highway in Newton Grove.
“I had won $10 from an EZ Match on the Cash 5 game, so I used that to buy the scratch-off ticket. When I saw I won, I couldn’t believe it,” said Gurgainous.
That $10 ticket was worth $1 million.
“I’ve won $1,000 before, but never something this big,” said Gurgainous. “I didn’t sleep very much last night. It still doesn’t seem quite real.”
Gurgainous claimed his prize Tuesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. He had the choice of taking an annuity that has 20 payments of $50,000 a year or a lump sum of $600,000.
He chose the lump sum. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $423,009. He says he plans to use the prize to pay off his house and take a cruise.
Lucky No. 7 launched in April with six top prizes of $1 million. Three top prizes remain.
