A $10 ticket and a $1 million smile
Man buys his first lottery ticket and hits the jackpot
By Nadine Parks
No one suspected that the man at the state lottery claim center on Monday was holding a $1 million ticket.
A scratch-off lottery ticket like this one revealed a $1 million prize for a first-time player. The 29-year-old man, who chose not to be identified, walked away with $680,000 after state and federal taxes were deducted at the claim center.
He walked out of the Mount Pleasant office less than 30 minutes later with a check in his hand, a tear in his eye and a smile on his face.
S.C. Education Lottery officials said the quiet, humble 29-year-old arrived with his mother at the claim center on West Coleman Boulevard just before 10 a.m. He waited until everyone else had cleared out of the lobby and then walked up to the counter, handed over the $10 Carolina Millionaire Club scratch-off ticket and said, "Am I reading this right?"
Against all odds, the regular customer at the Kwik Fill in Hanahan bought a lottery ticket for the first time in his life Saturday and won $1 million, lottery officials said.
"He had to wait all weekend to get his money," claim assistant Nancy Santiago said.
She said the man requested anonymity and didn't even leave a phone number.
"He said he was from a small town, and he didn't want any publicity," Santiago said.
The man hardly said a word, except that he wanted to pay off his student loans.
The lottery subtracted 7 percent for state taxes and 25 percent for federal taxes and cut the man a $680,000 check, and he left.
"He had a little tear in his eye at the end," Santiago said. "But he walked out with a smile on his face."
Sam Adgani, owner of the Kwik Fill, received a $10,000 selling bonus.
"Now I can pay for my air conditioner," said Adgani, adding that he recently had to replace the unit, and it cost him $30,000.
Adgani said the store on Yeamans Hall Road sells about $5,000 in tickets each week.
Reach Nadine Parks at 937-5573 or nparks@postandcourier.com.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly version
Comments
Grinder (anonymous) says...
ANOTHER Good News story. Good job Nadine,and thanks P&C. Nadine, you've come a long way, too.
June 3, 2009 at 6:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tides (anonymous) says...
Niceeee. Rare winner. SC's Lottery doesn't pay out anything like it use too. The state is trying to take in as much money as it can. Hence, I stopped "gambling" with the lottery.
June 3, 2009 at 6:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
It is a great story. Hope we all have this young fellow's luck!
June 3, 2009 at 6:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mb300sl (anonymous) says...
I hope he spends the money wisely...after a little fun!
June 3, 2009 at 6:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wildbillz50 (anonymous) says...
It's GREAT to see that an 'average' person won... I wonder what the pay-out ratio is on those cards ... I'll bet it's around 5%...ANY TAKERS ?
June 3, 2009 at 6:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
steve (anonymous) says...
7% to 10% because of all the small wins.
June 3, 2009 at 7:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
palmettotree (anonymous) says...
Congratulations to him. I know he is ecstatic. At least he seems to have a head on his shoulders. Just imagine starting a life without student loans.
June 3, 2009 at 7:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MRSCVS (anonymous) says...
Congrats to this young man who definately seem to have his head on straight.
Many blessings your way and I too hope some of your luck will befall on all of us.
June 3, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PAO1 (anonymous) says...
arent payouts higher than 10%.....isnt the chances of winning posted on the scratch offs?..in VA....its between 1 in 3 and 1 in 5 depending on the game played....(yes VA resident but home is SC)
if you look at this winning game for the prize claimed..there are still over $3.8 million in unclaimed prizes......with the game open a year now...of course we dont know that the total number of tickets available for purchase are either.
The newest game open has almost $10.8 million in prizes available and its another $10 game...since the winning denominations arent constant....dont know if you can calculate the available ticket pool or not...
Im guessing the payouts are more like 20-30% of the total take....based on the chances of winning on scratch offs here in VA
June 3, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
Odds are that he'll be broke and in debt within a few years. Luck to him, but he'd better be wise or all he'll get out of it is a couple of years of fun.
June 3, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
counterpoint (anonymous) says...
See you at the Jammer
June 3, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
My bigger question is Powerball. They have added numbers therefore decreasing your odds. Also, how many times has a SC resident won? I can't recall any. What does SC pay in vs. what is paid out to SC residents? How does this compare to other states?
June 3, 2009 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
Who's the Debbie Downer in here today?
Congrats young man. I wish you the best with your winnings.
June 3, 2009 at 9:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
It's always nice that Governmental thieves get 32% of the take to mismanage and waste.
June 3, 2009 at 9:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
Video poker did more for the state than the lottery and the odds of winning were better too. I agree AFWally. The taxation on wins like this is brutal. I'd like to see a Powerball winner protest about the government thievery of their winnings at a check presentation.
June 3, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mnbvcxz (anonymous) says...
hey, thats my baby's daddy, he better pay up!
June 3, 2009 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
This style of lottery ticket should not be called the "Millionaires Club". It should be called the "$680,000 After Taxes Club".
June 3, 2009 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ln1959 (anonymous) says...
Good Luck young man, and stay away from family.
You wont to know about Governmental thieves, win a jackpot in a casino in NJ, NV, or even LA. You pay Federal tax, you pay the state tax that you win the money in and then come home and have to pay UNEARNED TAX in your state. And what the heck they mean I did not earn it. I had to sit and play the slot machine to win and that takes time. LOL
June 3, 2009 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
Old joke from the 70s. A mobster is released from prison after serving time for loan sharking and gambling. He finds out banks are charging 18% on loans and the state is running a lottery. He asks, so what was I doing wrong?
June 3, 2009 at 11:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
CNSYD, better keep your day job at Hardees, you joke is lame!
June 3, 2009 at 11:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
Pretty soon Gubmint will steal 50 or 60% from winnings, at least they do their thievery before you get the money....otherwise they'd take your personal property, land, real estate etc. throw you in jail for tax evasion. Ever notice how Gubmint (IRS) drags their azz getting you your check if they owe you? If you owe them it's right now, confiscation of property and then jail.
June 3, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Congrats to the young man! Save and Spend it wisely and enjoy life!
June 3, 2009 at 12:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
A good story dragged down by the usual bunch of half wits.
Congrats to the young man.
June 3, 2009 at 1:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nappyd (anonymous) says...
Always nice to hear stories about lottery winners who don't do something stupid with the $...congratulations to him.
Despite what they say the odds are, I don't believe them. Unless there's a third party audit showing the # of winners who claimed versus what was printed, projected initial odds, etc. Then I'd have a hard time believing their odds.
June 3, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
Debbie Downers at best!
June 3, 2009 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
R_U_Kidding_Me (anonymous) says...
I hope he gets good tax advice. The tax on $1M is closer to 35% or more, not 25%. Good luck to him.
June 3, 2009 at 1:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PAO1 (anonymous) says...
tax rates are not the same for normal withholding of gambling winnings...they are different from normal withholding rates for wages winnings per the IRS, he was also probably issued a W-2G as well....most regulated gambling sites must issue a W-2 with winnings over $1200 or 1500 depending on the what game is.....
here is the paragraph from the 09 IRS instruction:
http://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw2g/...
You may be required to withhold 25% of gambling winnings for federal income tax. This is referred to as regular gambling withholding. Withhold at the 25% rate if the winnings are more than $5,000 and are from:
Sweepstakes,
Wagering pools,
Lotteries, or
Other wagering transactions if the winnings are at least 300 times the amount wagered.
June 3, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
Debbie Downers?
ROFL
In any even, I'm heartened by the young man's behavior at the Lottery Claim Cetner. According to reports he seemed humbled by his win.
I hope he holds onto that humility and is able to think clearly about his good fortune and hopefully save most of it for his future endeavors.
Of course AFTER he has a wee bit of fun.
June 3, 2009 at 3:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mon_Kie (anonymous) says...
"Posted by palmettotree on June 3, 2009 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations to him. I know he is ecstatic. At least he seems to have a head on his shoulders. Just imagine starting a life without student loans."
I'll be happy to start retirement without student loans.
June 3, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
sbs920. I doubt you could get a job at Hardee's with your lame spelling.
June 3, 2009 at 4:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blah_blah_blah (anonymous) says...
dude better call Dave Ramsey today!
Congratulations!
June 3, 2009 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hanahanman (anonymous) says...
KidYendor, I definitely haven't been inducted into any Millionaires Club. That membership gets revoked as soon as you slide that ticket under the glass... Uncle Sam makes sure of that with the W-2G that PAO1 mentioned. But $680,000 is a nice way to start the day.
Thank You for all of your support. I even appreciate the Debbies, what would the internet be without them.
Maybe you'll see me with mnbvcxz on Maury...
June 3, 2009 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
walleyedwoman1215 (anonymous) says...
What a great upbeat story! A gentle reminder: "To whom much is given, much is expected." He'll be able to do a lot of good in the world!
June 3, 2009 at 5:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackReign (anonymous) says...
Now he is part of the evil rich. good luck and congrats!
look out, realamericanmoron(blue_I_JIM_Q) will want his share!
June 3, 2009 at 6:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
Lol @ hanahanman. Congratulations on your win. Make sure you let us know when that episode of Maury will air!!!
June 3, 2009 at 7:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammanofdi (anonymous) says...
No hanahanman, don't worry about mnbvcxz, YOU are not the father!
June 3, 2009 at 8:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
For those uninformed Debbie Downer is an always sad character from Saturday Night Live. I just found it out on my Google search. No one should be happy about forking $320,000 to the fed and state tax buffoons. "Wah wah"
June 3, 2009 at 11:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full Terms and Conditions.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Shared
- Upper King on rise: Hotels, apartments, restaurants changing face of downtown area
- Missing woman case gets murkier
- UPDATE: Missing woman's fiance seen leaving scene of burned SUV, carrying a shovel
- Magnolia Gardens offering free dream wedding to contest winner
- Body of missing woman's fiance was found near handgun
- Pinterest: Pinning hopes and dreams
- DAVID SLADE: S.C. offers hybrid car tax credit
- Black women today: Strong. Resilient. Ambitious.
- MCDERMOTT COLUMN: Golf business has risks, rewards
- Ex-Boeing worker claims racism, retaliation in firing
