Shelton Williams of Nashville is the first player to win a top $250,000 prize playing the new $250,000 Platinum Payout scratch-off game.

He claimed his prize Monday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $173,126.

He bought the $5 ticket at the L&L Food Stores on Hunter Hill Road in Rocky Mount.

$250,000 Platinum Payout launched earlier this month with six top prizes of $250,000. Five top prizes remain.

Ticket sales from games like $250,000 Platinum Payout made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $634 million for the state last year. For details on how more than $41.9 million in lottery funds has made a difference in Nash County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.