Greene County Man Felt Numb After Winning $1 Million Top Prize

RALEIGH, N.C. – Griffin Braxton of Snow Hill had trouble believing his good fortune after he won the first $1 million top prize in a new lottery game.

“I was like, ‘This can’t be real,’” he recalled. “I was numb.”

Braxton bought his lucky $20 20 Years scratch-off from Fast Track Food Mart on Kingold Boulevard in Snow Hill.

“I like to try the new ones when they come out,” Braxton said. “If the feeling is right, that’s what I buy.”

When Braxton arrived at lottery headquarters Wednesday to claim his prize, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required tax withholdings, took home $432,066.

Braxton, a grandfather of three, plans to share his winnings with his family and work on some projects around his house.

The 20 Years game debuted this month with three top prizes of $1 million. Two $1 million prizes remain to be claimed.