RALEIGH – James Harrison, a retired catfish farmer from Robersonville in Martin County, plans to use the $1 million prize he won playing the $200 Million Blowout game to buy a boat and save for his grandchildren’s education.

Harrison became the first player to win a $1 million prize in the $20 game after scratching it off at the Wilco on West 5th Street in Washington.

“I scratched off the first number and thought I had maybe won ten dollars,” Harrison said. “When I saw the amount I didn’t think it was real. It still hasn’t hit me.”

Winners of $1 million in the game have the option of claiming it in $50,000 payments as a 20-year annuity or a one-time lump sum of $600,000. Harrison took the cash option and received a check for $415,206 after state and federal taxes were withheld.

“Holy mackerel,” Harrison said as he held his check for the first time. “I feel absolutely wonderful.”

As of Friday afternoon, four $4 million top prizes and 15 $1 million prizes remain to be claimed in the game.

Ticket sales have made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $3.5 billion for the state. North Carolina Education Lottery net proceeds will be used this year to help pay salaries of teachers and teacher assistants, for pre-kindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, school construction and repair, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.

For details on how $8 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Martin County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.