Thomas Barnes of Greene County is the first player to win the top $1 million prize in the new 50x the Cash scratch-off game.

Barnes owns his own construction company, and said he was shocked when he scratched his ticket. “I just couldn’t believe it, I just couldn’t believe it,” Barnes said.

Barnes has won smaller prizes before but never one this big. “We’re very lucky,” he said. In fact his wife calls him her “lucky charm.” Barnes hopes his luck holds till the next Powerball drawing.

Barnes claimed his prize Tuesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. He had the choice of taking a $1 million annuity that has 20 payments of $50,000 a year or a lump sum of $600,000. Barnes chose the lump sum, and after federal and state tax withholdings, he received $415,503. He plans to use some of the money to pay bills.

Barnes bought the $10 ticket at Maury Convenience & Hardware on N.C. 123 North in Maury.

50X the Cash launched earlier this month with six top prizes of $1 million. Five top prizes remain.

Ticket sales from games like 50X the Cash made it possible for the lottery to raise more than half a billion dollars for the state last year. For details on how more than $9.2 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Greene County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.