Man finds $20 on ground, wins $1 million after buying scratch-off lottery ticket
Finding money on the ground already feels like a stroke of luck. But a North Carolina man doubled up when he turned his newly-found $20 bill into a $1 million lottery win.
Jerry Hicks, a resident of Banner Elk in the western part of the state, was outside of a Speedway convenience store in Boone when he found $20 on the ground on Tuesday, he told the North Carolina Education Lottery.
“I used that to buy the ticket,” Hicks told lottery officials, adding that he purchased a $25 Extreme Cash scratch-off ticket.
On Friday, Hicks claimed his prize at the North Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters. He chose the lump-sum payment option of $600,000, the lottery said. After taxes, the lottery said he took home $429,007.
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What does the lucky North Carolina man plan to do with his winnings?
Before any grand plans, Hicks plans to take his family out to eat to celebrate his lucky win.
“We are going to head straight to Golden Corral and eat everything they’ve got,” he told lottery officials.
Hicks, a master carpenter, has two things in mind after winning.
After 56 years of working as a carpenter, Hicks plans to retire, the lottery said. In addition, Hicks told the lottery that he plans to use the money to help his children.
What are the odds of winning Extreme Cash?
The odds of winning the top prize of $1 million are 1 in 2,017,650, the North Carolina Education Lottery said.
The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 4.21, the lottery said.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the Paste BN Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the Paste BN Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.