RALEIGH – James Anthony Jr., a house painter from Cramerton, plans to use the $3 million prize he won playing the $120 Million Cash game to get a captain’s license and purchase a boat to start a deep sea fishing charter business.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Anthony said. “I’m also going to buy a house and buy a car for my oldest daughter and each of my 18-year-old triplets.”

Anthony scratched off the lucky $20 ticket after purchasing it at the Tobacco House #2 on West 1st Street in Lowell on April 23. He is the fourth and final player to win the game’s $3 million top prize.

“I was in the living room scratching the ticket,” Anthony said. “Once I saw how much I’d won I jumped up and started running around. I ran outside screaming. It was very exciting, as you can imagine.”

A $3 million prize in the game can be claimed in 20 annuity payments of $150,000, or a one-time payment of $1.8 million. Anthony chose the lump sum, worth $1,246,506 after required state and federal withholdings.

“I can’t tell you how much this means to my family,” Anthony said as he collected his winnings. “This feels really great.”

The $120 Million Cash game went on sale Oct. 1, 2013 with four top prizes of $3 million, six $1 million prizes and six $100,000 prizes. As of Thursday afternoon, one $1 million prize and one $100,000 prize remains to be claimed in the game.

Ticket sales made it possible for the lottery to raise more than half a billion for the state last year. 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 $76 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Gaston County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.
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