Michael Butler of Rockingham took a chance on a $5 scratch-off ticket and won a $200,000 prize. Butler bought his lucky Emerald 8s ticket from the Food Lion on N.C. 5 in Aberdeen.

He arrived at lottery headquarters on January 17 to claim his prize and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $143,001.

The Emerald 8s game debuted in December with six $200,000 top prizes. Four $200,000 prizes remain to be claimed. For details on how $3.3 million raised by the lottery made a difference for education programs in Richmond County last year.

The winning ticket has sparked a wave of excitement and speculation within the community, as neighbors and friends eagerly try to uncover the identity of the fortunate winner.

The unexpected windfall promises to be life-changing for the lucky resident, who can now look forward to a brighter and more prosperous future.

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