Forest City Woman Wins $100,000 Scratch-Off Prize
Susan Messer claimed the top prize on a Cash Payday ticket bought at a Forest City convenience store.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Gambling
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Susan Messer won a $100,000 top prize on a Cash Payday scratch-off ticket purchased at the Drop-In convenience store on West Main Street in Forest City. She claimed the prize in person at lottery headquarters in Raleigh, receiving $72,018 after federal and state tax withholdings.
Why it matters
The win highlights how scratch-off games continue to produce top prizes for North Carolina players, with about 51 of the game's 80 $100,000 prizes still unclaimed. Lottery proceeds also fund public education, including a $15 million grant to Rutherford County for a new middle school.
The Cash Payday game debuted in March with 80 $100,000 top prizes, and about 51 remain unclaimed. After federal and state tax withholdings, the winner received $72,018 of the $100,000 prize.
The players
Susan Messer
Susan Messer is a Forest City, North Carolina resident who won the $100,000 top prize on a Cash Payday scratch-off ticket.
The details
Messer selected the Cash Payday scratch-off at the Drop-In convenience store on West Main Street in Forest City, N.C. She claimed the prize in person at lottery headquarters in Raleigh, where she received her payment after required tax deductions.
Timeline
March: The Cash Payday scratch-off game debuted with its top prizes.
Thursday: Messer claimed her $100,000 prize at lottery headquarters in Raleigh.
Industry Context
North Carolina's lottery has previously directed a $15 million grant to Rutherford County to build a new middle school, linking scratch-off sales to public education funding. Cash Payday's 80 top prizes, with about 51 still unclaimed, show how individual wins sit within a game designed to fund those statewide education priorities.
Players in North Carolina can check whether a Cash Payday scratch-off is still in circulation, since about 51 of the game's $100,000 top prizes have not yet been claimed. Winners who receive large prizes pay federal and state tax withholdings before the lump sum is paid, so the net amount is lower than the advertised figure.
The takeaway
A $100,000 top prize can pay out closer to $72,000 after withholdings, so players planning around a win should account for taxes before counting on the full amount. Checking which top prizes remain unclaimed can also help players decide where to buy.
Further reading
Explore more on Gambling in North Carolina for context on state lottery games and prize payouts.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WSPA 7News.
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