Beaufort County woman scores $1 million prize on $10 scratch-off ticket

Published 9:25 am Monday, May 3, 2021

Ola Gurganus of Bath tried her luck on a $10 ticket and couldn’t believe her eyes when it revealed a $1 million prize, according to a press release from the North Carolina Education Lottery.

“I was shocked, I really was,” she said of seeing her $1 million prize. “I really couldn’t think straight.”

Gurganus purchased her lucky Jumbo Bucks ticket from the Bath General Store & Market on Carteret Street in Bath.

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She claimed her prize Thursday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh.

“I didn’t think I’d ever come to Raleigh to the lottery but now I have,” said Gurganus. “And I hope I make it back!”

She had the choice of taking the $1 million as an annuity of 20 payments of $50,000 a year or a lump sum of $600,000. Gurganus opted for the lump sum of $600,000 and took home $424,503 after required state and federal tax withholdings.

She plans to share some of the prize money with her children, according to the release.

Jumbo Bucks launched in April with eight top prizes of $1 million. Five top prizes remain to be won.

For details on how funds raised by the lottery made an impact in North Carolina last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.

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