$8 Million Lottery Prize Sold at Denver, N.C. Retailer

Saul Chavez Duran of Maysville, Ga., took a chance on a $50 scratch-off and won an $8 million top prize.

Chavez Duran works in North Carolina and bought his lucky $8 Million Money Maker ticket from D-Mart on N.C. 16 North in Denver.

When Chavez Duran arrived at lottery headquarters Friday to collect his winnings, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $400,000 a year over 20 years or a lump sum of $4.8 million. He chose the lump sum of $4.8 million and, after state and federal tax withholdings, took home $3,456,494.

The $8 Million Money Maker game debuted in December 2024 with five top prizes of $8 million and 10 priz3 es of $100,000. Two $8 million prizes and four $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.