Alexander County man captures $100,000 scratch-off win

August 18, 2025 Posted by NC Lottery at 12:44 PM

Paul Watts of Taylorsville took a chance on a $20 scratch-off and won a $100,000 prize.

Watts bought his lucky Power 20s ticket from the Daytona on N.C. 90 East in Taylorsville.

He arrived at lottery headquarters Friday to claim his prize and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $71,756.

The Power 20s game debuted in October 2023 with four $2 million top prizes and eight $100,000 prizes. Three $2 million prizes and four $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

Alexander County received $5.4 million from money raised by the lottery to help with school renovations. For details on other ways money raised by the lottery made a difference for education programs in Alexander County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.

4 COMMENTS

8/13/2026 07:32 - Jessica S.

I remember this day all to well. I am the cashier that sold him the ticket. So glad that he came back to the store and showed me a picture of the winning ticket. Congratulations again y'all. NC Lottery
That's awesome! Thank you for sharing and for joining the celebration, Jessica!

8/20/2025 08:22 - JoAnn L.

awesome blessing for you and your family

8/19/2025 05:39 - NC Lottery

Hi, @Phyllis! There's no way of knowing where a top prize will show up, or whether the pack containing that top prize is currently in circulation or at the warehouse waiting to be shipped to a retailer as they are ordered. A top prize could have already been won and the player hasn't come in to claim yet, or it could be on a ticket that a player purchased and accidentally lost (though we hope that is never the case!). Sometimes, games are ended when top prizes are remaining, usually due to inventory space or popularity. If this happens, 50% of the unclaimed prize money goes to the NC education fund, and the other 50% is returned to players in the form of prizes in other promotions and games.

8/19/2025 08:50 - Phyllis N.

I'm happy for the lucky few that manage to win a top prize in the scratch off games. I notice that many games are often ended while top prizes remain unclaimed. How are we the buyers to know if all the top prizes have even been circulated? Since some states place a notice on tickets stating that they will continue to be sold after top prizes have been won, why don't the NCEL place a notice stating just the opposite?NC Lottery
Hi, Phyllis! Our response was longer than character limits allowed, so we posted the reply in a separate comment above. Hope this helps to clarify! :)

Alexander County man captures $100,000 scratch-off win

August 18, 2025 Posted by NC Lottery at 12:44 PM

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