A Charleston man’s quick grocery stop turned into a life-changing moment when he scratched his way to a $500,000 win in the South Carolina Education Lottery.
The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, purchased the lucky ticket from the Publix supermarket on Folly Road in downtown Charleston. The $10 “Cash King” scratch-off game, launched earlier this year, gave him the top prize—despite odds of 1 in 1.5 million.
“I just felt like it was a blessing,” the winner told lottery officials. For many South Carolina residents, lottery winnings are often treated with a sense of disbelief and gratitude, and this case was no different. The Charleston native wasted no time in putting his prize money to good use—he made a down payment on a new home.
Life-Altering Win From A Simple Ticket
The man’s journey to half a million dollars began like any other trip to the store. While stopping at Publix, located at 520 Folly Road, he picked up the $10 “Cash King” scratch-off ticket. Moments later, he realized he had hit the jackpot.
The “Cash King” game is one of the South Carolina Education Lottery’s many scratch-off options. It offers a range of prizes, but the $500,000 top prize is particularly rare. According to the lottery’s website, only a handful of such winning tickets exist, with astronomical odds making such victories incredibly uncommon.
A Win That Turned Heads Across Charleston
The news of the local man’s massive win quickly made the rounds on social media. Local news outlets shared the announcement on platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), where residents from across the state congratulated the winner and tagged friends, many vowing to try their luck with the “Cash King” ticket next.
As news spread, many Charleston residents also expressed curiosity about how the lottery process works in South Carolina—and how the funds are allocated. For those who participate in the state’s lottery system, it’s important to note that the South Carolina Education Lottery directs proceeds to support education programs across the state. Funds go toward scholarships, grants, and other educational initiatives.
Proceeds Support Education
Since its inception in 2002, the South Carolina Education Lottery has contributed over $7.4 billion to support education across the state. Funds from lottery ticket sales are distributed to college scholarships such as the LIFE, HOPE, and Palmetto Fellows programs, along with K-12 initiatives and community education funding.
For more on how lottery funds are used, visit the official site of the South Carolina Education Lottery.
Lottery officials encourage players to play responsibly and always ensure they are purchasing tickets from authorized retailers. Players must be 18 or older to buy lottery tickets in South Carolina.
A Reminder of the Odds
While this Charleston resident struck gold, lottery officials emphasize the long odds involved in winning such large prizes. The chance of winning the top $500,000 prize in the “Cash King” game is 1 in 1,500,000. The majority of players walk away with smaller prizes—or none at all.
Still, the emotional thrill of scratching off a winning ticket continues to be a draw for millions of Americans who participate in state lotteries each year.
Claiming Large Prizes
In South Carolina, winners of prizes $500 or more must visit a claims center to receive their payout. Winners of $100,000 or more must file a claim in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery headquarters in Columbia.
For full details on how to claim a prize, visit the SC State Treasurer’s Office – Unclaimed Property Division.
The Charleston man who secured the $500,000 jackpot joins a growing list of South Carolinians who’ve scored big through the state’s lottery offerings. While he prefers to keep a low profile, his story has undoubtedly inspired many hopefuls throughout the Lowcountry and beyond to try their luck.
The winning ticket was validated by the South Carolina Education Lottery shortly after the winner came forward, and Publix will receive a commission for selling the top-prize ticket.
According to state law, all lottery winnings over $500 are subject to both state and federal tax withholdings. South Carolina imposes a 7% state tax on winnings, and the federal government withholds 24%, which can vary depending on the individual’s filing status and other income.