GASTON COUNTY, NC (WGHP) – Joshua King of Gastonia won a $2 million lottery prize at a “Halloween” movie night with his son, according to a press release from the NC Lottery Education.
“We both started crying,” King said. “Honestly, I was laughing and crying at the same time.”
King said he had just finished a long day at work on Friday when he picked up his son and took him for snacks at the Times Turnaround on South New Hope Road in Gastonia.
He decided to add a $20 Mega 7 scratch ticket as well.
“The last time I bought a ticket for Mega 7 I won $200, so I decided to try that one again,” he said.
After they got home, King ordered burgers, turned on the movie “Halloween,” and started scratching his winning ticket.
“It’s life changing,” he said. “I called my parents and was hyperventilating when I was talking to them.”
When King arrived at lottery headquarters on Monday to collect his prize, he had an important decision to make. He could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $100,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $1.2 million.
He chose the lump sum of $1.2 million. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he won $852,126.
“I want to use the money to help take care of my family,” King said. “I will consider buying a property for the family to use.”
