Support Us Button Widget
Sponsored Content

Travel back in time with the SC Lottery

Since its start in 2002, the Lottery has hit many milestones and created hundreds of millionaires — all in an effort to support local education in South Carolina.

Sponsored by
Three people playing the very first Lottery scratch-offs.

The Lottery’s first Scratch-Offs were sold on Jan. 7, 2002.

Photo the SC Education Lottery

Did you know? The South Carolina Education Lottery has been around for 23 years — aka, they’ve been old enough to buy a lottery ticket for five years now. After it was established in June 2001, the first four lottery tickets were bought and scratched on Jan. 7, 2002 at 6 a.m.

Since its start, South Carolina students have always won. How? All Lottery game proceeds are used to support local education. Think: Scholarships and grants, K-12 programs, and county libraries.

Winning numbers

Let’s throw it back to a few Lottery milestones and millionaires:

  • $259.9 million. How much Columbia native Solomon Jackson, Jr. won in a Powerball jackpot on Aug. 19, 2009.
  • 100. The number of millionaires the Lottery created between Jan. 2002 and Sept. 2013.
  • $5 billion. How much the Lottery transferred to support education by June 2018.
  • 132. How many days South Carolina’s first Mega Millions jackpot winner waited before coming forward to claim a $1.5 billion jackpot.

Play to win for local education

More from COLAtoday
Find Super Bowl LIX watch parties, local food deals, and Columbia connections for the Eagles vs. Chiefs showdown.
Sponsored
The new parking system will allow customers to pay using credit cards or the Passport app as the city prepares to increase parking fees.
The pre-Super Bowl game will feature a member of Team Fluff and a senior dog in a coaching role.
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar opens Thursday, Feb. 13 in Columbia’s BullStreet District with Southern-inspired dishes, craft cocktails, and a grand opening celebration.
A’ja Wilson joins an elite club with her Nike A’One, a signature shoe designed to inspire the next generation.
If you recently retired and are looking for things to do, this guide will help you make the most of retirement in Columbia.
The City of Columbia shared a YouTube video featuring a timeline, images, and renderings of the Finlay Park revitalization project.
The New York Times put together a list of nine food trends for 2025 including sauces, coffee, and grab-and-go options. Here’s where you can get try some of these trends in Columbia.
Readers predict Columbia in 2101 will thrive with healthcare and manufacturing, a booming population, high-speed trains, and a pedestrian-friendly future.