Columbia, September 12, 2025
News Summary
A Midlands woman has struck it rich by winning a $1 million jackpot from a scratch-off ticket at J and S Food Mart in Columbia. Initially torn between buying one or two tickets, she ultimately bought a single one and returned to buy the second, which turned out to be the winning ticket. Despite odds of 1,530,000-to-1, she plans to utilize her winnings responsibly, aiming to become debt-free and save further for future needs.
Columbia – A Midlands woman has won a staggering $1 million jackpot from a scratch-off lottery ticket, despite her initial hesitation over which ticket to purchase. The incident unfolded at J and S Food Mart on Forest Drive in Columbia, where the lucky winner faced a dilemma: to buy one or two scratch-off tickets for the Million Dollar Mania game.
Initially, the woman opted to purchase two tickets but ultimately decided to put one back, settling for just a single ticket. After scratching off her ticket and discovering it was a loser, she quickly felt regret for her earlier decision and rushed back to the store. She purchased the second ticket she had initially returned, which cost $10. To her disbelief, this ticket turned out to be a winner, securing her the game’s grand prize of $1 million.
Upon realizing her incredible fortune, the woman put on her glasses to ensure she was not misreading the ticket. Her remarkable win came despite the odds of 1,530,000-to-1 in the Million Dollar Mania game.
Winning Details and Plans
The woman’s decision to return for the second ticket marks a fortuitous turn in her lottery journey. Now with $1 million at her disposal, she intends to take a sensible approach to her newfound wealth. Her primary plans include becoming debt-free and saving the remainder of her winnings for future needs.
As part of the game rules, South Carolina is one of 11 states allowing lottery winners to remain anonymous, and this means that the woman’s identity will remain private. The store where the winning ticket was sold, J and S Food Mart, will receive a $10,000 commission for participating in this lucky transaction.
Remaining Prizes and Lottery Context
In total, there are still two of the game’s four top prizes yet to be claimed, indicating that there could be more winners yet to emerge in this popular scratch-off game. The story aligns with a series of recent lottery successes in South Carolina, where players have enjoyed considerable wins in various games, including Powerball and Mega Millions.
As Columbia celebrates this remarkable win, it serves as a reminder of the random chance lottery games provide and the life-changing opportunities they can yield for players willing to take the risk.
FAQs
What was the winning amount for the ticket?
The woman won $1 million from a scratch-off ticket.
Where did the ticket purchase take place?
The ticket was purchased at J and S Food Mart on Forest Drive in Columbia.
What was the cost of the winning ticket?
The winning ticket cost $10.
What are the odds of winning in the Million Dollar Mania game?
The odds of winning the grand prize in the Million Dollar Mania game are 1,530,000-to-1.
Can lottery winners in South Carolina remain anonymous?
Yes, South Carolina allows lottery winners to remain anonymous, which means this woman will keep her identity private.
What are her plans for the winnings?
The woman plans to become debt-free and save the remainder for future needs.
How much commission did the store earn for selling the winning ticket?
The store received a $10,000 commission for selling the winning ticket.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Local Man Wins $2 Million Lottery Ticket in Greenville
Midlands Technical College Expands Building and Construction Programs
Additional Resources
- Greenville Online: South Carolina Lottery Results
- Wikipedia: Lottery
- Live 5 News: Multiple Winning Lottery Tickets Sold in SC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lucky Number
- WIS TV: 100K Powerball Ticket Sold in Columbia
- Google Search: South Carolina Lottery
- ABC Columbia: Big Lottery Winners in SC
- Google News: South Carolina Lottery News
- The State: South Carolina Lottery Winners Report
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
