Gastonia man picks up prize after winning $1,000 a day of life in N.C. Lottery
Jimmie Shindler of Gastonia had a choice to make, but he really couldn't make a bad decision with this one.
Shindler won the Lucky for Life top price of $1,000 a day for life off a $2 North Carolina Education Lottery ticket he purchased online last week for the Aug. 3 drawing.
The choice? He could take $1,000 a day for life or a $5.75 million lump sum price.
Shindler claimed his prize Monday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. He chose the lump sum and after required federal and state tax withholdings took home $4.08 million.
Shindler won his prize by matching all five white balls and the yellow Lucky Ball. The odds of winning the $1,000 a day for life prize are 1 in 30.8 million.
In making the choice, Shindler probably weighed these options. If he took the $365,000 every year for his life, it would take about 15¾ years for him to reach $5.75 million. But in 20 years, that $365,000 a year would add up to $7.3 million, after 30 years $10.9 million, and so on for life.
Either way, Shindler won big.
You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-201-7016 or email him at kellis@gastongazette.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia lottery winner takes millions now.
