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RALEIGH – Lester Land III’s fondness for buying scratch-offs when they come out on First Tuesday led to him winning the first $200,000 top prize in a new game.

“That’s hard to beat,” Land said. “I’m just happy right now.”

Land, a New London resident, said he bought his $5 Lincoln scratch-off because the game debuted earlier this week.

“I always like buying the new tickets when they come out,” Land said.

Land, 65, bought his lucky ticket from the Xpress Mart on Westchester Drive in High Point. He collected his prize at lottery headquarters Tuesday and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $142,021.

He said he might use his winnings to buy a new Toyota Prius.

Lincoln debuted this week with six $200,000 prizes. Five $200,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

Ticket sales from scratch-off games make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $2.5 million a day on average for education. State grants totaling $2.65 million, using money raised by the lottery, are helping Montgomery County renovate four schools. For details on other ways Montgomery County benefits from lottery funds, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.