NORTH CAROLINA — A Marston man is $1 million richer after following a feeling that led him to buy a winning North Carolina Lottery scratch-off ticket.
Everett Cooper of Marston said he had a strong instinct to purchase a $10 Cashword King scratch-off ticket before discovering it was worth the game’s $1 million top prize.
“Something just told me to get that ticket,” Cooper said. “I had that feeling.”
Cooper purchased the winning ticket at CAPL Retail on South Main Street in Laurinburg. He said crossword-style scratch-off games are his favorite.
“I like to have a coffee, take my time and enjoy myself when I play,” he said.
When Cooper claimed his prize at lottery headquarters Monday, he chose between receiving the winnings as an annuity of $50,000 per year over 20 years or a lump-sum payment of $600,000. He selected the lump sum and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $432,063.
Cooper said he plans to use the money to help his family and his church.
The Cashword King game debuted in August with five $1 million top prizes. According to the North Carolina Lottery, one $1 million top prize remains unclaimed.
Lottery officials said education programs in Richmond County received $3.3 million in lottery funding last year.
