'I did it again': NC man wins $2 million almost two years after winning $1 million prize

A North Carolina man won a $2 million lottery prize on a $20 scratch-off nearly two years after he won a $1 million lottery prize.

Pharris Frank, 41, of Advance, works in construction, according to a release from the North Carolina Lottery. While working out of town, Frank bought his lucky $2,000,000 Diamond Dazzler ticket from Handy House on Arendell Street in Morehead City.

“I called my wife and told her, ‘I did it again,’” Frank said.

Frank initially won his $1 million prize in July 2021.

“It’s cool because the first time I won it was two miles from my house, and this time, I was four and a half hours away,” Frank said. “What are the chances of me being down there at that exact moment in time?”

Frank told Lottery officials he had a feeling he would win big again.

“It’s crazy because the day before I won, my buddy was asking me how it felt to win $1 million,” Frank said. “And I told him that I was going to double it.”

Frank said he still had trouble trouble believing it.

“I didn’t know if I was dreaming or not,” he said. “I was just in shock for a while.”

When Frank arrived at lottery headquarters Monday to collect his prize, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $100,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $1.2 million. He chose the lump sum. After required state and federal tax withholdings, Frank took home $855,006.

Frank's first big win helped to pay for his dream wedding. After this win, he said he wants take his wife on a nice vacation.