James Seay and DeeAnna Seay from Inman, South Carolina, are starting the weekend on a high note after claiming a $1 million prize they won playing $4,000,000 Platinum Payout.

James bought the $20 ticket at Debs Mini Mart on North Carolina Highway 9 North in Mill Spring.

They claimed their prize Friday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. They had the choice of taking a $1 million annuity that has 20 payments of $50,000 a year, or a lump sum of $600,000. They chose the annuity.

After splitting the annuity, they each received their first payment of $25,000. After required state and federal withholdings, they each collected a check for $17,628.

The $20 game launched in 2016 with three top prizes of $4 million and five prizes of $1 million. One top prize and one $1 million prize remain to be claimed.

Ticket sales from scratch-off games 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 “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.