Notable South Carolina Lottery Wins
South Carolina has produced some of the most famous lottery wins in U.S. history. Most notably, a single ticket sold in Simpsonville, SC claimed a $1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot in October 2018 — the largest single-ticket lottery prize in American history at the time. The winner chose to remain anonymous, which South Carolina law allows.
Powerball and Mega Millions Winners
Beyond the record-setting 2018 Mega Millions win, South Carolina has seen multiple significant Powerball and Mega Millions prizes. The state's participation in both multi-state games since 2002 (Powerball) and 2010 (Mega Millions) has given players access to some of the largest jackpots ever offered. For strategy resources, see our Powerball Guide and Mega Millions Guide.
Palmetto Cash 5 Winners
Palmetto Cash 5 produces in-state jackpot winners more frequently than the multi-state games due to its more favorable 1-in-850,668 odds. The rolling jackpot starts at $100,000 and has reached several hundred thousand dollars on multiple occasions. The built-in multiplier can boost non-jackpot prizes significantly, creating additional notable wins.
Claiming Prizes in South Carolina
South Carolina lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. Prizes up to $500 can be claimed at any licensed lottery retailer. Prizes of $500 to $99,999 can be claimed at SCEL claims centers or by mail. Prizes of $100,000 or more must be claimed at the Columbia headquarters. Importantly, South Carolina is one of the states that allows lottery winners to remain anonymous.
Taxes on South Carolina Lottery Winnings
South Carolina has a state withholding rate of 7% on lottery prizes over $500. Federal withholding of 24% applies to prizes over $5,000, bringing the combined withholding to 31% for larger prizes. Use our Jackpot Tax Calculator to model the difference between lump sum and annuity for any prize amount.
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