RALEIGH – Ernest Thorb Jr. of Clayton is the fourth player to win the $1 million top prize in the Millionaire 7’s game. He purchased the lucky ticket at Raceway 991 on South Saunders Street in Raleigh.

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. Thorb took the cash payment, worth $415,203 after required state and federal withholdings.

As of Tuesday morning, six $1 million prizes, five $100,000 prizes – and many other prizes – remain to be claimed in the $10 game.

Ticket sales have made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $3.4 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 more than $56.7 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Johnston County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.