Wilkes County man collects $200,000 top prize

December 1, 2025 Posted by NC Lottery at 2:27 PM

James Barker of Millers Creek took a chance on a $5 scratch-off and won a $200,000 top prize.

Barker bought his lucky Spicy Hot Riches ticket from the Murphy Express on U.S. 421 in Wilkesboro.

He arrived at lottery headquarters Monday to claim his prize and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $143,501.

The Spicy Hot Riches game debuted in May with four $200,000 top prizes. Two $200,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

4 COMMENTS

12/04/2025 06:45 - Beverly R.

@Angela A. - Agree about Power 20s. Where are the winning tickets for the top prize? Same for $400,000 Jackpot. This is a five dollar ticket and only 1 of the 5 400k prizes have been won. One reason for the top prizes being incognito is both tickets are old and only found at a few gas stations/convenience stores. I encourage people in small towns that no one has heard of to buy these two tickets if they see them. On average, the top prizes are being won in small towns or smaller cities if you notice the winners page and the new blog every day.

12/02/2025 10:13 - Judy F.

Awesome!

12/02/2025 01:37 - Billy B.

Congratulations

12/01/2025 02:53 - Angela A.

Congrats! Sales must be really low on the Power 20's scratch ticket NCEL giving 2x points....all week. @NCEL you want to know why people are not buying it...ODDS 1 in 8.57 to win $20...I brought a whole roll one time didn't even WIN $100 bucks back NEVER AGAIN one of the worst tickets ever!

Wilkes County man collects $200,000 top prize

December 1, 2025 Posted by NC Lottery at 2:27 PM

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