Earnest Thorb of Raleigh is the latest player to win $1 million by playing Millionaire 7’s.

Thorb claimed his prize Wednesday 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. Thorb chose the lump sum, and after federal and state tax withholdings received $415,503.

Thorb bought the $10 ticket at the Circle K on NC 54 in Durham.
Millionaire 7’s launched in April 2014 with ten top prizes of $1 million. One top prize remains.

Ticket sales from games like Millionaire 7’s made it possible for the lottery to raise more than half a billion dollars for the state last year. For details on how almost $331 million in lottery funds has made a difference in Wake County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.