The South Carolina Education Lottery sold its first ticket in January 2002 and has raised nearly $600 million for education programs across the Palmetto State. The multi-billion lotto has a significant impact on the state’s economy and should only grow with an influx of people looking for a better cost of living and better weather.
SC Lottery tickets can only be purchased with lottery retailers located in the state, including grocery stores and convenience stores. Unlike other states, lottery kiosks or sales are not permitted in bars and taverns. Lottery players must be at least 18 years of age.
South Carolina Lottery Games
The South Carolina Lottery Commission is the governing body located in the capital city of Columbia. They oversee several draw games, including the multi-state Mega Millions and Powerball, as well as the South Carolina-exclusive Palmetto Cash 5, Pick 4, Pick 3, and Cash Pop, plus dozens of scratch-off tickets sold by approved retailers.
South Carolina does not have legalized sports betting or casino gaming, so the lottery is the primary source of wagering in the state. Fortunately, there are a lot of options for players with those draw games and the instant-win scratchers. The SC Lottery website and some retailers update players on how many top prizes are still available for the scratch-off games that are currently running.
South Carolina Lottery Draw Games
Powerball
South Carolina is one of 45 states to participate in the Powerball drawing. Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.
Individual states are allowed to decide when to end sales for that evening’s drawing and the SCEL has a 9:59 p.m. ET cut-off.
Each wager consists of two sets of numbers, with the traditional five-ball drawing with numbers from 1 to 69 and the Powerball, which is from 1 to 26, as denoted by the red ball drawn as the final number.
The minimum ticket costs $2 and each ticket can include a $1 Power Play option for every $2 wagered.
South Carolina joined the Powerball drawing in 2002.
Mega Millions
South Carolina is also one of 42 states to participate in the Mega Millions drawing. Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday night at 11 p.m. ET.
Sales of Mega Millions tickets in the Palmetto State are suspended at 10 p.m. ET.
Unlike Powerball, the traditional lotto numbers go from 1 to 70 and the Mega Ball ranges from 1 to 25.
However, just like Powerball, the minimum ticket costs $2 and a Megaplier option is a $1 add-on for every $2 wagered.
South Carolina joined the Mega Millions pool in 2010 on the same day as 22 other states and Washington D.C.
Palmetto Cash 5
Palmetto Cash 5 is a traditional lottery drawing exclusive to South Carolina. Players need to match all five lottery numbers to win the rolling Jackpot. When a Jackpot winner matches all five numbers, the top prize reverts back to $100,000, but it grows until somebody wins by a minimum of $10,000 per day.
The Palmetto Cash 5 is drawn seven days a week at 6:59 p.m. ET and local network affiliates televise the drawing live.
Each play costs $2, but multipliers are automatically built into the game for non-Jackpot prizes. There are 42 numbers in the game and players can either pick their own or allow the machine to “Quick Pick” for them.
Sales are cut off at 6:45 p.m. ET nightly.
Pick 3 and Pick 4 with FIREBALL
South Carolina has Midday and Evening drawings of both the Pick 3 and Pick 4 with the FIREBALL bonus ball promotion.
The nighttime drawing is at 6:59 p.m. ET every night, while the Midday drawing is at 12:59 p.m. ET Monday-Saturday, with the exception of Christmas Day. Sales are suspended at 12:45 p.m. for the Midday draw and 6:45 p.m. ET for the Evening draw.
The minimum cost is 50 cents or $1, with a correct FIREBALL number serving almost like a “Wild” to replace one of the lotto numbers selected to form different prize combinations.
Players of either the Pick 3 or Pick 4 can play the numbers Straight, Boxed, or in a Combo. The Pick 3 also offers a “Pairs” option.
CASH POP
CASH POP is a one-number game from the SC Lottery with nightly drawing on live TV at 6:59 p.m. ET and a Midday drawing that is not televised at 12:59 p.m. ET, with the exception of Sunday. Once again, sales are cut off at 12:45 and 6:45, respectively.
Players can pick from 1 to 6 consecutive drawings and pick their numbers from 1 to 15. Wagers “per pop” cost $1, $2, $5, or $10. Upon placing the wager, the terminal will randomly assign the prize amounts for each number wagered on.
For the drawing, the lottery will pick one number (POP). If the ticket shows that number and a prize amount, that is a winning ticket.
South Carolina Lottery Scratch-Offs
The South Carolina Lottery offers dozens of instant-win scratch-offers, ranging from $1 per ticket to $20 per ticket. Losing tickets can also be redeemed for a Second-Chance Game, which includes games in support of the University of South Carolina and Clemson University.
Gas stations and convenience stores, as well as other approved lottery retails, may display the remaining top prizes for each scratch-off game. Seasonal games are often available, along with a series of consistently-running themes.
As with any SC Lottery game, players must be 18 and over.
How to Claim South Carolina Lottery Prizes
Any lottery winnings up to and including $500 can be redeemed at any authorized lotto retailer.
Winnings of $100,000 or less can be redeemed by mail. Winnings in excess of $500 must also include a lottery claim form, which are available at an authorized retailer or via download on the SC Lottery website.
It is suggested that players use Registered Mail for winning lottery tickets because the lottery assumes zero risk for lost or damaged tickets. Players can also go to the Columbia Claims Center at 1303 Assembly Street in downtown Columbia if they wish to redeem their winnings in-person. That location is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but players are encouraged to arrive before 4 p.m. to have enough time to verify winning tickets.
Note that the $500 cut-off is because any prize in excess of $500 required a mandatory withholding. In South Carolina, the tax rate on lottery winnings is 7%.
FAQ
No. The SC Lottery can only be published at approved retailers within the borders of the state.
The SCEL (South Carolina Education Lottery) supports programs across the state for K-12 students, including college scholarship programs and community initiatives.
As of 2024, the SC Lottery had raised over $500 million for education initiatives in four straight fiscal years. In total, the SC Lottery has raised nearly $8 billion for a variety of education programs, as nearly 26% of all lottery dollars are put back into the education system.
The Players’ Club is the rewards program for the South Carolina lottery. By downloading the SC Lottery app or joining the program, players can enter themselves in second-chance promotions for extra scratch-off tickets, win cash prizes, or win non-cash prizes.
Players receive “SCEL Coins” and can redeem those for entries into drawings or cash them in for other opportunities and giveaways.