ay Elkin of Washington, N.C. says a $1 million prize he won instantly on Tuesday means he can pay off his home equity loan and catch up on the bills.

Elkin, who works overseas as a consultant on e-cigarettes, was home alone when he scratched a $200 Million Blowout ticket and found out he had won one of the game’s $1 million prizes. “Disbelief,’ he said when asked about his feelings at that time. “Just absolute disbelief.”

Elkin said he sent a photo of the lucky ticket to a friend in Hong Kong, asking “Is this real?” He said his friend sent back a smiling emoji.

As Elkin claimed his prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh, he had a choice of taking a $1 million annuity that has 20 payments of $50,000 a year or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $417,012.

“When I get the money in my hand, and get home,” Elkin said, “I’m going into the backyard and go, ‘Whoop! Whoop!’”

Elkin purchased his lucky ticket at Cratches Mini Mart on N.C. 264 West in Washington. So far players have claimed three of the game’s four $4 million top prizes and 14 of the 16 $1 million prizes.

Ticket sales from instant games like $200 Million Blowout make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $600 million a year for education. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in Beaufort County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.