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Raleigh Man Wins $1 Million Lottery Prize
17 Feb
Summary
- A Raleigh resident won a $1 million prize from a second-chance lottery drawing.
- He chose a lump sum payout of $600,000 before taxes.
- Winnings will fund bills, retirement savings, and a family vacation.
Ray Abbott of Raleigh has won a $1 million prize from the North Carolina Education Lottery. His win came from the Merry Million Second Chance drawing held on February 4, 2026. Abbott had entered his 2025 holiday scratch-off tickets into the drawing by scanning them into his lottery account.
Upon receiving a notification, Abbott learned of his grand prize win. He was presented with a choice between an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. Abbott chose the lump sum payout. After state and federal tax withholdings, he received $432,060.
He expressed disbelief and excitement about the win, stating it was "wild" and "unbelievable." Abbott intends to use his winnings to cover bills, save for retirement, and plan a family vacation. The drawing featured over 35 million entries, with Abbott claiming the top prize.
