LUCKY LOTTO
I bought Powerball tickets on my lunch break and returned to work a millionaire – but I immediately lost thousands
While the winner originally played Powerball, it was two other tickets that score him the million-dollar prize.
A QUICK trip to a local convenience store has turned one lucky man into a millionaire.
The lottery winner, who remains anonymous, took home the $1 million prize after stopping his local Stop-a-Minit.
1
He told the South Carolina Lottery he bought a few Powerball tickets on his break but realized he forgot to take his play slips back with him.
On his next break, the man went back to the store but decided to buy a couple of lottery scratch-off tickets too.
While he purchased Powerball tickets, it was the scratch-offs that scored him the big prize.
He chose to play the $1,000,000 Money Maker game and wound up taking home two prizes.
Read More on Lottery Winners
One was for $20 and the other was the million-dollar jackpot.
“I was in shock. If the clerk had given me my slips, I wouldn’t have had a reason to go back,” he told lottery officials.
While the man did not disclose how he chose to receive his winnings, all lottery prizes are taxed.
This typically means thousands of dollars are immediately taken away depending on how large your lottery prize is.
Most read in Money
$1 MILLION MONEY MAKER
The $1,000,000 Money Maker game costs $10 to play and offers ticket holders multiple amounts to win.
To play, ticket holders who match any of your numbers to any of the winning numbers will win the prize shown.
Largest Powerball winners
Those who reveal a "money stack" symbol will win the prize shown for that symbol.
Meanwhile, players who scratch off a "20X" symbol will win 20 times the prize shown.
Those who reveal a "50X" symbol will win 50 times the prize shown.
Lastly, those who scratch a "maker" symbol will win all 20 prizes shown.
Top lottery winners in the US
Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.
- Edwin Castro - $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.
- Theodorus Struyck - $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
- Unknown winner - $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.
- Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida - $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.
- Unknown winner - $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
- Unknown winner - he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden - $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.
- Unknown winner - $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
- Unknown winner - $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
- Yanira Alvarez - $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
- Wolverine FLL Lottery Club - $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.
- Unknown winner - $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.
CLAIM YOUR WINNINGS
Winners have a few options when it comes to claiming their prize.
For South Carolina, any lottery winnings up to and including $500 may be redeemed at any authorized lottery retailer.
Retailers can receive their earnings in cash, store check, money order, or a combination.
Players may also redeem their prize by mail - but the cap is $100,000.
Winnings over $500 must be mailed with an official lottery claim form available at sceducationlottery.com.
Claim forms are also available at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer.
Winners will need a copy of a picture identification card - driver’s license, state or military ID, or passport.
Just note that the back of the winning ticket must be signed.
Read More on The US Sun
Another player scored $1 million after buying a ticket at Meijer but 30% vanished before they ever saw a dime.
Plus, a historic $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is claimed days after winning – but the lucky player stands to lose millions immediately.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online.