ASHEVILLE, NC – A quick stop at a local gas station turned into a life-changing event for one Asheville resident this past week. The North Carolina Education Lottery announced that Clarence Payton claimed a top prize in the High Voltage Cash scratch-off game.
Payton purchased his winning $5 ticket from Tunnel Rd Gas & Vape, located at 6 Tunnel Road in Asheville, according to lottery officials.
The Winning Details
While many scratch-off games offer various tiers of prizes, Payton hit the absolute maximum for this specific game.
Top Prize Won: $200,000
Total Payout: After required state and federal tax withholdings, Payton took home $144,021.
Game Status: The High Voltage Cash game launched in October 2025 with four top prizes of $200,000. Following Payton’s win on Friday, March 6, two top prizes remain in circulation.
Odds of Winning: The overall odds of winning a prize in this game (ranging from $5 to $200,000) are 1 in 4.24.
Impact on North Carolina Education
Beyond individual wins, the lottery continues to play a massive role in state funding. Since its inception in 2006, the North Carolina Education Lottery has raised more than $12 billion for education programs across the state.
These funds support various initiatives, including:
School construction and repair.
Pre-K programs for at-risk four-year-olds.
Need-based college scholarships and grants.
School transportation and staff salaries.
Lottery funds contribute to education across the state, and local sources indicate that Western North Carolina has also benefited from this support.