woman from North Carolina claims a whopping $8 million prize from a modest $50 scratch-off lottery ticket
Charlotte Woman Wins $8 Million from $8 Million Money Maker Scratch-off Game
A Charlotte resident named Latonya Rayford has become the latest big winner in North Carolina's lottery scene. Rayford won a top prize of $8 million from the $8 Million Money Maker scratch-off game, which was introduced by the North Carolina Education Lottery on December 3, 2024.
When the game was launched, it offered five top prizes of $8 million at odds of 1 in 3,042,264. However, after the most recent win, three top prizes of $8m each remain in play.
Rayford chose to receive her winnings as an annuity of $400,000 annually for 20 years, rather than a lump sum of approximately $4.8 million. This annuity option is occasionally available for large scratch-off lottery wins in North Carolina, but not as common as lump sum payments.
The woman purchased her winning ticket at BP Food Mart on West Sugar Creek Road in Charlotte. With the annuity payment option, she will effectively collect the entire $8 million prize over the course of 20 years, receiving 19 more payments, one every year.
The annuity payments, after the applicable taxes, will increase Rayford's bank account by $287,014 each year. This steady stream of income offers winners a financial security over time, but it is not the standard option for all lottery wins.
For smaller or more typical lottery wins, lump sum payments are generally more common. For instance, a tier-two prize from the popular $50 game awards $100,000. The odds of winning a tier-two prize from the $8 Million Money Maker game are 1 in 1,521,132.
While annuities are an option for some large scratch-off wins, they are not universally available across all North Carolina lottery games. Most lottery players prefer the one-time lump cash sum option for an instant large sum. The woman's first annuity payment of $400,000 marked the beginning of this steady income stream.
Rayford's win is a testament to the excitement and opportunity that the lottery offers to residents of North Carolina. As the hunt for the remaining top prizes continues, the anticipation builds for the next big winner.
Latonya Rayford's victory in the $8 Million Money Maker Scratch-off game has sparked an ongoing thrill in North Carolina, as three top prizes of $8 million each still remain hidden among the casino-games offered by the North Carolina Education Lottery. Although she didn't choose the traditional lump sum payout, opting instead for an annuity of $400,000 yearly for 20 years, her decision to play lotteries has undeniably led her to casino-and-gambling success.
