Last Updated on May 29, 2025 9:19 am
Gerald Wilson of Burnsville praised the timing of his lottery luck after he won a $1 million prize Friday night.
“Our area is still recovering from Helene,” he said. “This win couldn’t have come at a better time.”
Wilson bought his lucky $10 Million Spectacular ticket from Southeast Energy on U.S. 19 East Bypass in Burnsville.
“That’s my ticket, I buy it all the time,” he said. “I’ve won $500 a couple times but this is the biggest win I’ve ever had.”
After he realized how much he won, Wilson wanted to share the good news.
“I called my best friend and told him, ‘I just won a million dollars,’” he recalled.
When Wilson arrived at lottery headquarters Tuesday, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive the 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.
Wilson said he plans to use his winnings to invest.
The $10 Million Spectacular game debuted in December 2023 with five top prizes of $10 million, 20 prizes of $1 million and 20 prizes of $100,000. Two $10 million prizes, three $1 million prizes and four $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.
Yancey County received $30 million in state grants funded by the lottery to help with school construction needs. For details on other ways money raised by the lottery made a difference in Yancey County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.
