Christopher Thomas of Lillington tried his luck on a $5 scratch-off ticket and took home a $200,000 prize.

“It’s a big blessing,” Thomas said Tuesday as he collected his prize. “It’s a life-changing blessing.”

His good luck came as he and his sister shopped at the Super Save on N.C. 27 West in Lillington. He said he decided to buy not one, but two Mega Bucks tickets and it was the second one that delivered his prize.

Thomas claimed his prize Tuesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh and took home $141,501 after state and federal tax withholdings. He said he might use the money to buy a new car and to save for his daughter’s education.

The Mega Bucks game launched in December with 10 $200,000 prizes. Five remain to be claimed.

Ticket sales from scratch-offs make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $725 million per year for education. For details on how $8.1 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Harnett County in 2020, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.