Local

72-year-old woman wins $1M on scratch-off bought from Cabarrus County gas station

ANSON COUNTY, N.C. — Polly Burns, of Polkton, Anson County, said she couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw a $1 million prize on her $10 scratch-off ticket, officials with the North Carolina Education Lottery reported in a news release.

“I had to get my sister to look to make sure my eyes were working,” Burns said. “She said, ‘Girl, that’s a million dollars right there.’”

Burns, 72, bought her lucky 50X The Cash ticket from B&D Mart on N.C. Highway 24/27 in Midland, Cabarrus County.

“I stopped at the station I normally use, but the line was so long I decided to try another place,” Burns said. “My brother pumped the gas while I ran in and got my ticket.”

Burns got home and scratched her ticket.

“It scared me to death when I saw I won because I was just so surprised,” Burns said.

Burns had to choose between an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. She chose the lump-sum amount of $600,000, and after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $426,063.

Burns said she wants to use her winnings to pay off her mortgage and plans to share some with her family.

A new version of the 50X The Cash game has six $1 million prizes still available.

(Watch the video below: Math lover wins big in lottery by playing first digits of pi)