Powerball player just misses $626 million jackpot, but still wins life-changing prize
A South Carolina man got an early Christmas surprise after playing Powerball, state lottery officials said.
The Lowcountry man missed the $626 million jackpot by one number, but wound up winning $150,000 in the Dec. 23 drawing, according to the South Carolina Education Lottery.
“I was shocked,” he told officials of his big win. “My wife thought I was crazy.”
He bought the winning ticket and a few others before Christmas at a King Street Station convenience store in Charleston, officials said in a news release.
The Powerball player beat odds of 1 in 913,129 to match four white balls and the red Powerball number, according to the South Carolina Education Lottery. He would have won $50,000, but tripled his prize money with the Power Play add-on for $1.
The man did not say how he plans to spend his winnings.
What to know about Powerball
To score a jackpot in the Powerball, a player must match all five white balls and the red Powerball.
The odds of scoring the jackpot prize are 1 in 292,201,338.
Tickets cost $2 and can be bought on the day of the drawing, but sales times vary by state.
Drawings are broadcast Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:59 p.m. ET and can be streamed online.
Powerball is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhen 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.
This story was originally published January 19, 2024 at 11:13 AM with the headline "Powerball player just misses $626 million jackpot, but still wins life-changing prize."