Ready to be a millionaire? SC lottery players may get their chance this weekend

Ever wanted to be a millionaire? South Carolina’s lottery players may have their chance this weekend.

Friday will kick off the drawing for two Powerball and Mega Millions nine-digit prizes, according to a statement from the S.C. Education Lottery.

The Mega Millions jackpot, which was drawn Friday night, is the sixth largest at about $422 million, according to the early morning statement. By Friday afternoon, the jackpot increased to $433 million.

Saturday night, players will get another chance at millions when Powerball draws for $130 million.

South Carolina has never seen a Mega Millions jackpot win, according to the statement. The odds of winning are about 1 in 303 million.

The Mega Millions winner can choose to walk away with $254 million or annual payments, which will come out to the full amount.

On the other hand, the odds of winning Powerball are a little better at 1 in 293 million, according to the statement. Seven jackpot winning tickets have been purchased in South Carolina.

The Powerball tickets that raked in the biggest prizes in the past 10 years were sold in Lexington and Richland counties, according to S.C. Education Lottery Commission data.

A ticket that earned a winner more than $223 million was sold at a Murphy USA gas station on Augusta Road in Lexington. A ticket totaling more than $129 million was sold at a Columbia Murphy USA on Garner’s Ferry Road.

Those just looking to make a quick million but not necessarily needing to pocket the jackpot could head to Greenville County, where the most Powerball tickets worth $1 million or more have been sold.

Those looking to play Mega Millions have to get their $2 tickets before 10 p.m., according to the statement. Powerball tickets have to be purchased before 10 p.m. Saturday.

This story was originally published July 20, 2018 at 10:16 AM.