Lottery Winner

He’s definitely got the magic touch. In February of 2012, Dan Royal did a double take on a “Jumbo Bucks” scratch off when he won $750,000! He bought two trucks and some land and then went back to work for Joe Carson of Carson Contracting Company in Rutherfordton. Dan was a carpenter for Joe Carson who will tell you: “Dan’s a good worker, I’m happy for him, but I’ll miss him.” 

     He’ll miss Dan Royal because just last week Dan Royal did it again when he won the top prize on “$5,000 a Week for Life” $10 scratch off ticket. He bought the ticket at the same place where he bought his first winning ticket. In fact, Dan always bought his lottery tickets at Ruth’s Little Cubbard. 

     This time Dan Royal is not going back to work. He said he would give his boss two weeks notice, but he’s going to “quit punching the clock and do what I want to do. I feel great. This is what people dream about.” Dan just turned 60 this past June. “I’m going to build a house in Rutherford County  and may open a deer hunt camp in South Carolina.” When asked about giving some good advice on playing the lottery. Dan Royal said: “Play within your means, if you don’t have it, don’t spend it.” 

     Royal has the option to claim his prize as an annuity in $260,000 payments each year for the rest of his life. The prize is guaranteed to a winner or his estate for a minimum of 20 years. Dan chose instead to collect a one-time cash payment. After the required state and federal withholdings on the $3.5 million lump sun, his prize was worth $2.4 million! Not bad for a $10 investment.

     Dan Royal wasn’t interested about all the fuss being made over his winnings. He just wanted to retire and enjoy the rest of his life.

He is still the same man he’s always been, but now a little richer!