RALEIGH – Ever since the Emerald 10’s scratch-off game debuted in April, Travis Wilhelm of Statesville believed he would win the $1 million top prize.
“When that ticket came out, I knew that was my ticket,” he said. “I’ve been playing it ever since.”
Wilhelm’s winning moment occurred when he bought his lucky $10 Emerald 10’s ticket from Fast Phil’s on Harmony Highway in Harmony.
“It was a crazy feeling,” Wilhelm said.
He had to look at it over and over to believe his good luck.
“I thought it was a misprint,” Wilhelm laughed. “I looked back and forth like 10 different times.”
When Wilhelm arrived at lottery headquarters on Monday, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $430,503.
He plans to save his winnings and possibly buy a new car.
The Emerald 10’s game debuted in April with five $1 million top prizes. Three $1 million prizes remain to be claimed.
For details on how $10.7 million raised by the lottery made a difference for education programs in Iredell County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.
