Staff report

RALEIGH — The N.C. Education Lottery reports Dennis Powell of Salisbury won $4 million in its “Ruby Red 7s” scratch-off game.

Powell claimed his prize Thursday at the lottery headquarters in Raleigh, where his photograph was taken with an oversized check for $4 million.

The lottery website said Powell’s reaction to the win was, “Yee-haw! Great God Almighty.”

Powell is the first player to win $4 million in the Ruby Red 7s game, which was launched in June. It offers three prizes of $4 million and four prizes of $1 million. As of late last week, two $4 million and three $1 million prizes remained in the scratch-off game.

Powell bought his $20 Ruby Red 7s ticket at Mike’s convenience store on South Main Street, according to lottery headquarters. He told lottery officials he did not believe his card at first when he saw the winning numbers.

The lottery gave Powell the option of taking a $4 million annuity or a lump sum worth $2.4 million. He opted for the lump sum.

After tax withholdings, Powell received $1,662,006.