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Gaston County man wins $2 million from Mega 7′s scratch-off ticket

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A Gaston County man has won $2 million after picking up a Mega 7′s scratch-off ticket Friday.

Joshua King said that after a long day at work, he and his son went to Times Turnaround on South Hope Road to grab some snacks.

While at the gas station, King said he decided to purchase a $20 Mega 7′s scratch-off ticket as well.

“The last time that I bought a Mega 7′s ticket, I won $200 so I decided to try that one again,” King said.

King said when he and his son got home, they ordered Chili’s and turned on the horror movie Halloween.

While watching the film, King said he began to scratch off his ticket. King said that was when he discovered that he had just won the first $2 million top prize in the new game.

“We both just started crying. I was honestly laughing and crying at the same time,” King said. “This is life-changing. I called my parents and I was kind of hyperventilating when I was talking to them.”

King said he arrived at the lottery headquarters on Monday to collect his prize. He chose to take the lump sum of $1.2 million, which after required state and federal tax withholdings, left him with $852,126.

“I want to use the money to help take care of my family,” King said. “Going to look into buying some property for the family to use.”

Mega 7′s debuted four new $2 million prizes and new eight $100,000 prizes this month. Three $2 million prizes and seven $100,000 prizes have yet to be claimed.

Ticket sales from scratch-off games make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $2.5 million a day on average for education.

For details on how $14.7 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Gaston County in 2021, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.

(WATCH BELOW: Local man wins $2 million in scratch-off ticket bought in Cornelius)