Wake County Man Wins $1 Million on $10 Scratch-Off
Quick Facts
| Prize Won | $1,000,000 |
| Ticket Price | $10 |
| Location | Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina |
A Fuquay-Varina man is $432,063 richer after a $10 scratch-off ticket turned into a $1 million top prize, according to the North Carolina Education Lottery.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Winner | Jared Smith |
| Hometown | Fuquay-Varina, NC |
| Prize | $1,000,000 |
| Ticket Price | $10 |
| Payout Option | Lump sum |
| Lump Sum Amount | $600,000 |
| After-Tax Take-Home | $432,063 |
| Source | NC Education Lottery |
The Win
Jared Smith of Fuquay-Varina scratched his way to a $1,000,000 top prize on a $10 scratch-off ticket purchased in Wake County. Smith claimed his winnings through the North Carolina Education Lottery and elected to receive a one-time lump sum payment of $600,000 rather than the full prize paid out over time. After federal and state tax withholdings, Smith walked away with $432,063 in hand.
What This Means for Players
Smith’s win is a reminder that $10 scratch-offs sit in a sweet spot for North Carolina players — the tickets carry higher price points than entry-level games but also tend to offer better odds and larger top prizes. North Carolina scratch-off players should note that the lump sum option typically equals 60% of the advertised jackpot before taxes, meaning the actual take-home on a $1 million prize can be significantly lower once federal and state withholdings are applied.
Pro tip: Before you buy, check the NC scratch-off game pages to compare remaining top prizes and overall odds across active $10 games — some tickets stay on shelves long after major prizes have already been claimed.
How to Claim
- Prizes up to $600 can be claimed at any authorized NC Education Lottery retailer.
- Prizes between $601 and $99,999 must be claimed at an NC Education Lottery district office or by mail.
- Prizes of $100,000 or more, including top prizes like Smith’s, must be claimed in person at NC Education Lottery headquarters in Raleigh.
- Winners have 180 days from the game’s end date — or 90 days from the date printed on the ticket for some games — to claim their prize, so check your ticket’s terms promptly.
Play Responsibly
Scratch-off tickets are a form of gambling and should be played for entertainment within a budget you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, free and confidential help is available.
Call the National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sources
- North Carolina Education Lottery — official winner announcement
Related
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information from official state lottery sources and news reports. ScratchersParadise is not affiliated with any state lottery commission. Lottery games are games of chance. Please play responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
