James Bryan of Jacksonville watched his $5 scratch-off ticket reveal a $250,000 top prize.
Bryan purchased his winning 20X The Cash ticket from the Handy Mart on Burgaw Highway in Jacksonville.
He claimed his prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh and took home $176,876 after required federal and state tax withholdings.
The new 20X The Cash game launched in February with 10 top prizes of $250,000. Five more remain to be claimed.
Ticket sales from scratch-offs make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $725 million per year for education. For details on how $11.7 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Onslow County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.