Edward Shingleton of Snow Hill is celebrating his good luck after winning the top prize of $4 million in the $4,000,000 Platinum Payout scratch-off game.

Shingleton bought the $20 ticket at the Red Oak Grill and Grocery on Greenville Boulevard in Greenville. He claimed the prize at lottery headquarters in Raleigh on Monday.

Shingleton had the choice of taking a $4 million annuity that has 20 payments of $200,000 a year or a lump sum of $2.4 million. He chose the lump sum. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $1.67 million.

The $4,000,000 Platinum Payout game began in September 2016 with three prizes of $4 million and five $1 million prizes. One $4 million prize and two $1 million prizes remain.

Ticket sales from games like $4,000,000 Platinum Payout make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $600 million a year for education. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.