A woman from Charlotte has won $1 million from a scratch-off ticket, according to the North Carolina Education Lottery.
Arely Mayorga Martinez said her husband purchased the lucky $10 Multiplier Mania ticket at Shopton Commons BP on Steele Creek Road.
He then brought it home from her to scratch.
“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Martinez recalled.
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She said once she realized her ticket held a $1 million win on it, she decided to put it in a safe place until she claimed her prize.
“We hid it under our mattress,” she explained.
Martinez arrived at lottery headquarters Thursday and decided to choose the lump sum of $600,000.
She ultimately took home $429,003, according to lottery officials.
Martinez said she plans to fulfill her dream of buying a house following her win.
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