Dennis Powell of Salisbury is the first player to win $4 million playing the Ruby Red 7’s scratch-off game.

“Yee-haw! Great God Almighty,” Powell said of his win.

The automotive dealership owner bought the $20 Ruby Red 7s ticket at Mike’s convenience store on South Main Street in Salisbury. At first he didn’t believe it when he saw the winning numbers.

“I had to look at it a couple of times,” Powell said.

Powell claimed his prize Thursday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. He had the option of taking a $4 million annuity or a lump sum worth $2.4 million. He chose the lump sum after tax withholdings he received $1,662,006. He plans to use some of the money to take his wife to The World Series of Poker Championship in Las Vegas.

Ruby Red 7s launched in June with three prizes of $4 million and four prizes of $1 million. Two $4 million prizes and three $1 million prizes remain.

Ticket sales from games like Ruby Red 7s made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $600 million dollars for the state last year. For details on how more than $51.6 million in lottery funds has made a difference in Rowan County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.