News writer
After a big win in the North Carolina Lottery, a Raleigh resident is looking to help those in need.
The big Lucky for Life win
Raleigh resident Shannon Murphy turned a $2 Lucky for Life ticket into a $ 25,000-a-year-for-life prize. After claiming his prize, he told Lottery officials that he wanted to “give to a good cause” and that “it's good karma to give back to those who need it.”
Murphy's big win came during the June 27 Lucky for Life drawing. The winning white ball numbers for that drawing were 5, 14, 34, 46, and 48, and the Lucky Ball was 8.
Murphy bought his winning Quick Pick ticket from the Food Lion, located at 9101 Leesville Road #107 in Raleigh. He matched all five of the white balls in the drawing to win the $25,000 a year for life prize. The odds of winning that prize are 1 in 1.8 million.
Murphy told state lottery officials:
This is very surreal and exciting.
"Still in shock right now"
Murphy made his way to the North Carolina Lottery headquarters on Monday, July 15, to claim his prize. He had the choice of receiving $25,000 a year for the rest of his life or taking a one-time $390,000 lump sum payment.
He chose the $390,000 lump sum payment, and after required state and federal tax withholdings, Murphy took home $278,850.
Murphy said:
We are still in shock right now. We didn't believe it until we got here today.
With his winnings in hand now, Murphy said, besides giving money to a good cause, he also plans on investing some of it and buying a new car.
Second chances can be a good thing
Another North Carolina Lottery winner recently took home a big prize. Chris Franks of Youngsville won the top prize in the July 3 $10 Million Spectacular Second Chance drawing.
Franks found out he won the top prize after receiving an email from the lottery. Lottery officials said there were more than 1.9 million entries in the drawing.
Even with all those entries, Franks was lucky enough to be picked as the winner, and he grabbed that $1 million top prize.
Franks recently made his way to the North Carolina Lottery headquarters to collect his winnings. He also had a big decision to make. He could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $50,000 for 20 years. He could also do a lump sum payment of $600,000.
Franks took the annuity option and after federal and state tax withholdings, he took home $35,753 for that first payment.
To enter the $10 Million Spectacular Second Chance drawing, players need to scan their tickets into their lottery accounts. After scanning the tickets, they will automatically be entered into the drawing.
Frank's big win was the second of four $10 Million Spectacular Second Chance drawings. The next drawing will take place on March 5, 2025.
Enjoy playing the North Carolina Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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