A lucky North Carolina man is celebrating big time after a stop to grab a drink ended with a $1 million lottery win.
James Vandling, of Mebane, recently stopped by the Hawfield General Store on South N.C. 119 because his nephew wanted something to drink and while there, he decided to also purchase a $50 scratch-off ticket for the $10 Million Spectacular game, according to a release from the NC Education Lottery. He ended up winning $500 on the ticket but instead of accepting the already hefty win, he tried his luck on another ticket for the same game.
"Go big or go home," he said.
His gamble paid off even better the second time around as he won one of the game's $1 million prizes.
"I kept telling people I was going to win big one day," he said.
Vandling claimed his prize at lottery headquarters on Friday (November 15), choosing to receive his winnings as either an annuity of $50,000 over the course of 20 years or as a one time, lump sum payment of $600,000. He chose the former and took home is first check of $35,764 after all required state and federal tax withholdings.
According to lottery officials, Vandling plans to celebrate his win by treating his family to a dream vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth.
"I'm going to take my kids and grandkids to Disney World," he said. "We've never done that before."