On Thursday, Arthur Thomas of Raeford found himself the first winner of a $250,000 Gold Rush top prize.
Thomas purchased his $5 ticket at the Fast Shop Food Mart on West Prospect Avenue in Raeford.
He claimed his prize Friday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required federal and state tax withholdings, he took home $176,876.
The $250,000 Gold Rush game launched this month with five top prizes of $250,000. Four top prizes remain to be won.
Ticket sales from scratch-off games make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $725 million a year for education. For details on how $3.9 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Hoke County in 2019, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.