National

Lottery winner started screaming over $20,000 prize, but then she kept scratching

A South Carolina woman shouted after winning what she thought was $20,000 on a scratch-off lotto ticket before realizing the full $200,000 prize. 
A South Carolina woman shouted after winning what she thought was $20,000 on a scratch-off lotto ticket before realizing the full $200,000 prize.  Getty Images/iStockphoto

A South Carolina woman could hardly contain her excitement after winning a life-changing lottery prize — but her celebration came a bit early.

The lottery player had all but forgotten about the 50X ticket she bought while shopping for groceries at a Harris Teeter in Summerville, according to South Carolina Education Lottery officials.

She started to scratch it and screamed after thinking she won $20,000, officials said. However, her ticket hid a larger prize, thanks to an extra zero.

The woman continued scratching to reveal the full $200,000 win.

“It was totally amazing,” she told lottery officials in an Aug. 23 news release. “I can’t wait to have it happen to me again.”

The woman didn’t say how she plans to spend her money, however.

The lucky winner beat odds of 1 in 750,000 to win the jackpot, officials said. There’s one top prize left in the 50X game.

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When gambling is more than a game

Gambling is designed to be a source of entertainment.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

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This story was originally published August 24, 2023 at 11:55 AM with the headline "Lottery winner started screaming over $20,000 prize, but then she kept scratching."

Tanasia Kenney
Sun Herald
Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.
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