WILMINGTON, N.C. — A Wilmington resident is walking away with more than $72,000 after claiming a $100,000 top prize on a North Carolina Education Lottery scratch-off ticket, lottery officials said Wednesday.
How the win unfolded
Timothy Winstead purchased the winning $30 ticket for the $100,000 Cash Payday scratch-off game at The Scotchman convenience store on Wrightsville Avenue in Wilmington. After required state and federal tax withholdings, Winstead received a net payment of $72,018 when he claimed the prize.
The Cash Payday game launched in March. According to the North Carolina Education Lottery, there were originally 80 $100,000 top prizes available; as of this claim, 56 of those top prizes remain. The odds of winning the game’s top prize are listed at 1 in 76,752.
Local impact and where the money goes
Proceeds from the North Carolina Education Lottery support education programs statewide. Lottery funding is directed toward scholarships, school construction, and other education initiatives, and local school systems see direct benefit.
Last year, education programs in New Hanover County received more than $11.3 million in lottery funding. That revenue helps pay for classroom resources, capital projects and scholarships that serve students across the county.
- Ticket: $30 Cash Payday scratch-off
- Published top prize: $100,000
- Amount received after withholdings: $72,018
- Store: The Scotchman, Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington
- Game debut: March; original top prizes: 80; remaining: 56
"Lottery funds also support education programs across the state," the North Carolina Education Lottery said in its release.
Odds, timing and consumer reminders
The North Carolina Education Lottery lists the odds of winning the Cash Payday game's top prize at roughly 1 in 76,752. Players are reminded to sign the backs of tickets, keep tickets in a safe place and check them carefully before discarding.
Winners of lottery prizes are subject to required tax withholdings. In Winstead’s case, those withholdings reduced the advertised top prize of $100,000 to a net payment of $72,018 at claim time. The exact withholding percentages depend on state and federal rules applicable to lottery winnings.
What this means for Wilmington
While the direct beneficiary in this instance is the ticket purchaser, the broader community also receives funds through lottery-supported education programs. New Hanover County’s allocation of more than $11.3 million last year reflects how proceeds are funneled back into local schools and student services.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ticket purchased | $30 Cash Payday scratch-off |
| Advertised top prize | $100,000 |
| Amount received after withholdings | $72,018 |
| Store | The Scotchman, Wrightsville Ave., Wilmington |
| Odds of top prize | 1 in 76,752 |
Lottery officials did not provide details about how Winstead plans to use the winnings. Winners sometimes opt for lump-sum payments or annuities depending on game rules; this prize was claimed as a one-time payout following withholding.
For Wilmington residents, the win is a reminder of both the potential upside of scratch-off play and the concrete benefits the lottery provides to local education. Players who participate are encouraged to do so responsibly and to be aware of the tax consequences of larger jackpots.
Local consumers may check numbers and prize status on the North Carolina Education Lottery website or at authorized retailers. The Scotchman on Wrightsville Avenue sells a variety of lottery products and was the location of this recent winning sale.
