Columbia, September 12, 2025
News Summary
A man from Columbia became a millionaire after purchasing a second Million Dollar Mania lottery ticket. Initially unsatisfied with his first ticket, he returned to buy a second one, which revealed a winning prize of $1 million. The winner plans to pay off debts and save for the future, while the store that sold the ticket received a $10,000 commission. The odds of winning this lottery game are approximately 1 in 1,530,000.
Columbia – A local lottery player from Columbia became a millionaire after a lucky second chance at the Million Dollar Mania game. Initially, the player intended to purchase two tickets from J & S Food Mart but changed his mind at the last minute, which ultimately led to a life-changing outcome.
On his first visit to the store, the man decided to buy only one of the Million Dollar Mania tickets after initially asking the clerk to put one back. After scratching off the ticket, he discovered that it was not a winner. Unsatisfied, he returned to the counter and purchased a second ticket. This time, luck was on his side, as the second ticket turned out to be worth a staggering $1 million.
Upon scratching the second ticket, the winner was stunned and questioned whether he was seeing the numbers correctly. This moment of disbelief quickly turned into joy as the reality of his newfound wealth began to sink in.
The winner has plans for his prize money, expressing intentions to pay off existing debts and save the remainder for future needs. His winnings come with significant odds, as the South Carolina Education Lottery confirmed that the chances of winning $1 million in the Million Dollar Mania game are approximately 1 in 1,530,000.
As part of the lottery’s operational guidelines, J & S Food Mart is set to receive a $10,000 commission for selling the winning ticket. The emotional response from the winner, who initially thought the notification might be a prank, reflects the life-altering impact of the lottery win.
In addition to the million-dollar prize, the winner had also entered the Royal Millions Second-Chance promotion, which allows customers to earn entries using both winning and non-winning tickets. Following the verification of his winnings at the South Carolina Education Lottery office, the couple took time to celebrate their newfound fortune.
The moment grew even more real for the couple when they collected the prize check, and the winner described the entire experience as “unbelievable,” noting that he was overwhelmed to handle more money than he had ever seen in his life.
FAQ
How did the Columbia man win the lottery?
The man initially purchased one Million Dollar Mania ticket, which was a loser. He then returned to buy a second ticket, which turned out to be worth $1 million.
What are the odds of winning in the Million Dollar Mania game?
The odds of winning $1 million in this lottery game are approximately 1 in 1,530,000.
What does the winner plan to do with his winnings?
The winner plans to pay off debts and save the remainder for future needs.
What commission did J & S Food Mart receive for selling the winning ticket?
The store received a $10,000 commission for selling the winning ticket.
What is the Royal Millions Second-Chance promotion?
This promotion allows players to earn entries using both winning and non-winning tickets to have a chance to win additional prizes.
Key Features of the Lottery Win
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Winner’s Location | Columbia |
| Winning Amount | $1 million |
| Initial Ticket Purchase | Two tickets; one returned |
| Winning Odds | 1 in 1,530,000 |
| J & S Food Mart Commission | $10,000 |
| Planned Use of Winnings | Pay off debts, save for future |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Midlands Woman Wins $1 Million Lottery Jackpot
Gary Watts Challenges Arrest Over Private Poker Game
Ocean Isle Beach Resident Wins $626,543 in Online Monopoly Game
South Carolina Education Lottery Reveals Latest Draw Results
North Carolina Powerball Players Celebrate $50,000 and $100,000 Wins
North Carolina Lottery Surpasses $1 Billion Revenue Milestone
Mega Millions Jackpot Reaches $358 Million Ahead of Drawing
Columbia Powerball Ticket Wins $100,000
Two Powerball Tickets Win Record $1.787 Billion Jackpot
South Carolina Education Lottery Results and Powerball Details
Additional Resources
- WISTV: Midlands Winner Takes Home $1 Million Scratch-Off Ticket
- WLTX: South Carolina Lottery Winner Million Dollar Second Chance
- ABC Columbia: I Thought It Was a Joke Says Midlands Million Dollar Winner
- North Central PA: Columbia County Store Sells $1 Million Lottery Ticket
- KRTV: Quarter Million Monday Winning Number Announced
- Wikipedia: Lottery
- Google Search: Lottery Statistics
- Google Scholar: Lottery Winning Odds
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lottery
- Google News: Lottery Winners
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette 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 Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
