GRAHAM, N.C. — A Graham man turned $20 into $266,982 after his Fast Play jackpot win Sunday.
Ralph Mayton Jr. said a lucky penny started it all.
Mayton said he found a penny on the ground on his way into the BP Graham on East Harden Street.
“I always hear it’s good luck if it’s laying heads up and darn it if I don’t believe it now,” he said.
“I still got it in my pocket right now and I’m keeping it forever.”
At the time of the purchase the jackpot was at $66,982, when Mayton bought a $20 100x The Cash ticket, he received 100% of the progressive jackpot plus $200,000.
“I had no idea that I won the extra $200,000,” Mayton said.
“My heart almost stopped I was so excited.”
Mayton who's worked as a mechanic for more than 40 years said he plans to take his mother on a trip to Hawaii.
“That’s the only place she’s never been,” he said.
“And she deserves it, so I want to take her.”
Mayton said his mother didn't believe him when he told her the good news.
“We play Halloween tricks on her every year,” he laughed.
“She thinks I’m playing a trick on her right now.”
Mayton went to the lottery headquarters to collect his prize and after taxes took home $190,230.
Fast Play features an instantly growing jackpot that increases with every ticket sold until it is won.
The Fast Play jackpot stands at $53,000 and counting as of Wednesday.
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