On a trip to High Point to visit family and friends, William Blair of Lynchburg, Va. tried his luck on a $10 scratch-off ticket and won $1 million in the 50X The Cash game.

“I was at a loss for words,” Blair chuckled. “My brother thought I was full of it!”

Blair, a construction worker, purchased his lucky ticket at Superior Foods on North Centennial Street in High Point on Saturday. He later checked the ticket in his truck with his brother.

“I kept the ticket with me in my sleep.” Blair said. “I’m still processing.”

When he arrived at lottery headquarters Monday to collect his prize, Blair could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump-sum amount of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $426,063.

Blair plans to save money for retirement and “spoil” his niece with his winnings.

The 50X The Cash game launched in February 2021. One $1 million prize remains to be claimed.

Ticket sales from scratch-off games make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $900 million per year for education. For details on how money raised by the lottery made a difference in North Carolina in 2021, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.