September 12, 2025

Columbia Woman Claims $1 Million Lottery Jackpot

Columbia, South Carolina, September 12, 2025

News Summary

A woman from Columbia has won a $1 million top prize in a scratch-off lottery game after second-guessing her ticket purchase. Initially intending to buy two tickets, she chose only one, which led to a shocking win. Her decision underscores how small choices can have significant impacts. The lucky winner plans to pay off debts and save for the future, highlighting the importance of financial stability.

Columbia Woman Wins $1 Million Lottery Jackpot After Second Ticket Purchase

Columbia, South Carolina — In an unexpected turn of events, a woman from Columbia has claimed a $1 million top prize from a scratch-off lottery game, after initially deciding against purchasing a second ticket. The incident highlights how small decisions can lead to life-changing outcomes and adds a notable success story to recent lottery results in the state.

The Accidentally Lucky Purchase

The woman was at J and S Food Mart on Forest Drive, where she faced a common dilemma: whether to buy one or two scratch-off tickets. Initially, she intended to purchase two tickets but decided to put one back, opting to buy only a single ticket for herself. She chose a ticket priced at $10 but did not think much of it after realizing her first ticket was not a winner.

The Unexpected Big Win

Later, while reviewing her ticket, she discovered she had won the grand prize of $1 million. To ensure she wasn’t misreading, she put on her glasses to double-check the numbers. Her relief turned to excitement as she confirmed her win, an outcome that defied the long odds of 1,530,000-to-1 against winning in the Million Dollar Mania game.

Turning Point at the Store

Realizing she had missed out on the chance for a bigger prize by not buying the second ticket, she returned to the store to purchase the one she had initially left behind. Her decision proved fortunate, as that ticket turned out to be a top prize winner. The store, J and S Food Mart, received a $10,000 commission for selling the winning ticket, as per lottery regulations.

Plans for the Winnings

Following her life-changing win, the woman has expressed plans to use her newfound wealth to pay off debts and save for future needs. Her approach is conservative and focused on financial stability, reflecting the cautious optimism typical of lottery winners in similar circumstances.

Remaining Top Prizes and Lottery Details

The Million Dollar Mania game currently has two of its four top prizes still unclaimed, leaving open the possibility that others may win similar fortunes in the future. Despite the low odds, such wins are a reminder of the unpredictability of lottery games.

Legal Context and Trends in South Carolina

South Carolina allows winners to remain anonymous, a measure that protects certain winners’ privacy. This recent big win adds to the list of notable lottery results in the state, which also includes large Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots in recent months. These high-profile wins continue to generate interest among players and contribute to the state’s lottery revenue.

Final Remarks

This story illustrates the impact of chance, decision-making, and the allure of lotteries, especially as more winners emerge from scratch-off and national jackpot games. With two major prizes still available in the game and the state’s legal protections in place, players remain hopeful for their own fortunate day.

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Author: HERE Greenwood

The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.

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