Lottery win leaves NC dad in disbelief. Now, he has big plans to help his daughter
A $2 million lottery prize left a North Carolina dad in disbelief — and now he has big plans to help his daughter.
“This means she will have enough money to buy a house now,” Neil Becker told the N.C. Education Lottery.
But Becker’s generosity isn’t stopping there. In addition to helping his daughter put money toward a new home, he hopes to buy a car for his best friend, lottery officials wrote in an Oct. 23 news release.
Becker hit the jackpot after he stopped at a Triangle Mini Mart & Tobacco store in Durham. At the Hillsborough Road location, officials said he spent $20 on a ticket for the $100 Million Mega Cash scratch-off game.
Becker had won $1,000 while playing the same game in the past. But he said he didn’t expect to score the much bigger prize of $2 million.
“I still can’t believe it,” he told lottery officials. “It’s pretty astounding.”
Becker, who is from Durham, decided to take his prize in a $1.2 million lump sum. He kept $855,006 after taxes, officials said.
It’s not the first time a lottery player has considered helping loved ones. Another North Carolina winner wanted to help his daughter pay for college after he got richer, McClatchy News reported in January.
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This story was originally published October 24, 2023 at 8:11 AM with the headline "Lottery win leaves NC dad in disbelief. Now, he has big plans to help his daughter."