RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- A Charlotte man took a chance on a $30 scratch-off and won a $1 million top prize.

Kenneth Locklear bought his lucky MAX-A-MILLION ticket from the Gate convenience store on Lawyers Road in Stallings.

When Locklear arrived at lottery headquarters Monday, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $430,508.

The MAX-A-MILLION game debuted in March with 25 top prizes of $1 million and 10 prizes of $100,000. Eighteen $1 million prizes and seven $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

The N.C. Education Lottery’s Play Smart program helps North Carolinians make the most of the

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