INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. — Costa Walton from Mint Hill had a life-changing moment when he won a $1 million prize off one scratch-off ticket on July 6.
“It’s one of the happiest days of my life,” Walton said. “And I’m almost 70.”
Walton, 68, bought a ticket for $30 from the Flash Market, a convenience store on Old Monroe Road in Indian Trail. When he got home, he decided to scratch off the ticket with his wife.
“First I looked at her, then I looked at it again,” Walton said. “We had to keep looking at it to make sure our eyes weren’t deceiving us.”
At lottery headquarters, Walton had to choose whether to take the money as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or $600,000 all at once. He decided to take the $600,000.
After taxes, Walton took home a grand total of $426,069. He plans to use the money to pay bills and help his family.
“I guess this was my lucky time,” Walton said. “I’m just elated.”
(WATCH BELOW: How much will you really take home after winning the lottery?)
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