In a surprising turn of events, a Midlands resident of South Carolina stumbled upon a $1 million Mega Millions ticket while sifting through an old pile of lottery stubs in his living room. The discovery came more than a month after the ticket was purchased from a local Food Lion store in Columbia in mid-January.
The winner, who initially doubted his luck, found the ticket mixed in with several others on his living room table. The winning numbers were 2, 10, 42, 49, 54, with 13 as the pivotal Megaball number. Although he missed the Megaball, matching the first five numbers was enough to secure the seven-figure sum.
The lucky ticket holder has opted for a prudent approach regarding his newfound wealth, planning to save it for retirement with his wife. Despite the life-changing win, he intends to continue playing the lottery “occasionally,” though under the watchful eye of his wife, who insists on timely checks of future tickets.
This win highlights the slim odds of the Mega Millions, standing at 1 in 12,607,306. Meanwhile, the Food Lion store that sold the winning ticket was rewarded with a $10,000 bonus.
Echoing this rare find, another lucky individual in Ohio, known as “Michael from Medina,” reported a similar story earlier this year, claiming his $1 million prize just before it expired.
For those inspired to try their luck, Mega Millions tickets can be purchased at convenience stores, gas stations, and even online in select states through platforms like Jackpocket. Participants select six numbers to play, with a Quick Pick option available for those preferring randomly generated numbers. Adding a “Megaplier” for an additional dollar can multiply non-grand prize winnings.
