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Record $707M Powerball Fuels SC Lottery’s Massive Education Haul
South Carolina Lottery Hits Near-Record $606.8 Million for Education as $707 Million Powerball Looms Tonight
Quick Snapshot
- SC Lottery FY2026 education transfer: $606.8 million (2nd highest ever)
- Total raised since 2002: $9.5 billion
- Tonight’s Powerball jackpot: $707 million (largest of 2026)
- Drawing time: 10:59 PM ET
- Florida Mega Millions winner: $803 million (July 28)
SC Lottery’s Big Year for Students
Imagine a giant piggy bank that gets a little fuller every time someone buys a lottery ticket in South Carolina. In the fiscal year that just ended (that’s the government’s budget year, running July 2025 through June 2026), that piggy bank hit $606.8 million — the second-largest amount ever sent to education in the lottery’s 24-year history!
By the Numbers
- Total ticket sales: $2.4 billion
- Prizes paid to players: Over $1.6 billion
- Retailer commissions: $175+ million
- Daily average for education: $1.5 million per day
- Cumulative total since 2002: $9.5 billion
Why This Year Was So Strong
Several changes helped boost sales:
- New debit card ticket purchases (no cash needed)
- Popular $20 scratch-off tickets
- Better ticket displays in stores
- Two Powerball jackpots over $1 billion during the year
Where Does the Money Go?
The money goes into the Education Lottery Account. The South Carolina General Assembly (state lawmakers) decides how to spend it each year. Since 2002:
| Program Area | Amount Appropriated |
|---|---|
| Higher education total | $8.2+ billion |
| Scholarships & grants (LIFE, Palmetto Fellows, HOPE, Needs-Based) | $6.8 billion |
| FY2026 alone | $500+ million for college + $20 million for K-12 |
| Total scholarships awarded | 2.8+ million |
Important Note
Some researchers point out that merit-based scholarships often help students who would have gone to college anyway. The debate continues about whether lottery funding reaches the students who need it most — especially since lower-income communities tend to buy more tickets.
Last Night’s Drawing Results (July 29, 2026)
Still have tickets from Wednesday? Here’s what you need to know:
Powerball (July 29)
- Winning numbers: 30 – 36 – 40 – 42 – 57
- Powerball: 02
- Power Play: 2x
- Jackpot winner? No
- $1 million winner: Maryland (matched 5 white balls)
- Jackpot now: $707 million → rolls to tonight!
Palmetto Cash 5 (July 29)
- Winning numbers: 03 – 05 – 07 – 17 – 37
- Top prize: $160,000
Check All Results
Visit the SC Education Lottery website for Pick 3, Pick 4, Cash Pop, and other games.
Tonight’s Massive Powerball Jackpot: $707 Million!
With no winner Wednesday, the jackpot has grown to $707 million — the biggest Powerball prize of 2026. The drawing happens tonight at 10:59 PM ET.
Key Facts
- 39th drawing since last jackpot winner (May 2, split $20M in FL & TX)
- Odds of winning: 1 in 292,201,338
- Cash option (lump sum): $309.7 million before taxes
- Annuity option: Full $707M paid over 30 years
What Would a South Carolina Winner Actually Take Home?
Winning is amazing — but taxes take a big bite. Here’s the math for a SC winner choosing the lump sum:
Step-by-Step Tax Breakdown
| Step | Amount | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cash option | $309,700,000 | One-time payment (not the full $707M) |
| 2. Federal withholding (24%) | -$74,328,000 | Taken out immediately by IRS |
| 3. After federal withholding | ~$235,372,000 | What you’d get in your bank account initially |
| 4. Possible extra federal tax (up to 37%) | -$43M+ | When you file taxes, you may owe more |
| 5. Estimated after ALL federal tax | ~$192,300,000 | If you’re in the top tax bracket |
| 6. SC state income tax | Varies | SC taxes winnings as regular income |
CRITICAL ADVICE
Talk to a tax professional BEFORE claiming! This is simplified math — your actual situation (other income, deductions, etc.) changes everything.
Staying Anonymous: SC vs. Florida Rules
One of the best things about winning in South Carolina? You can stay completely anonymous — forever.
South Carolina
- Full, permanent anonymity for all winners (any prize amount)
- You just opt in when claiming
- Under 2024 Act 106, lottery only releases: where ticket was bought + prize amount
- Your name? Never public. This makes SC one of the best states to hold a winning ticket.
Florida
- 90-day privacy window for prizes $250,000+
- After 90 days: name + city become public record
- Winner can use a trust to stay private — but must set it up before claiming
Other States with Good Anonymity
Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, North Dakota, Ohio, New Jersey, Texas, Wyoming — each has different rules.
Florida Wakes Up to an $803 Million Mega Millions Win
While SC waits for tonight’s Powerball, Florida just minted a new multimillionaire!
The Details
- Drawing: July 28, 2026 (Mega Millions)
- Final jackpot: $803 million (10th largest in Mega Millions history)
- Winning ticket: Quick Pick bought at Wawa, 14510 State Road 70 East, Bradenton (Lakewood Ranch area)
- Winning numbers: 34, 48, 49, 59, 70 + Mega Ball 12
- Cash option: $345.5 million before taxes
- Claim deadline: 180 days (cash option: 60 days)
Florida Winner’s Tax Math
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cash option | $345,500,000 |
| Federal withholding (24%) | -$82,920,000 |
| After withholding | ~$262,580,000 |
| Possible extra federal tax (37%) | -$65M+ |
| Estimated net (top bracket) | ~$218,000,000 |
| FL state tax | $0 (Florida has no income tax!) |
Fun Fact
The winning Wawa gave out free coffee and fountain drinks on July 30 to celebrate!
SC’s Own Mega Millions Legacy
South Carolina holds the #2 spot in Mega Millions history:
- $1.537 billion — won October 23, 2018
- Winner chose full anonymity (thanks SC laws!) and was never identified
Only Florida’s $1.602 billion (August 8, 2023) beats it.
Summary
| Topic | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| SC Education Funding | $606.8M transferred in FY2026 (2nd best ever); $9.5B total since 2002 |
| Tonight’s Powerball | $707M jackpot (largest of 2026); drawing at 10:59 PM ET |
| SC Winner Take-Home | ~$192M after all federal taxes (lump sum); SC state tax applies |
| Anonymity in SC | Full, permanent, automatic — one of the best in the nation |
| Florida Mega Millions | $803M won July 28 in Bradenton; no state tax = bigger net |
| Play Responsibly | Must be 18+; SC Gambling Helpline: 1-877-452-5155 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much has the SC Lottery given to education total?
$9.5 billion since the first ticket sale on January 7, 2002. Over $8.2 billion has been appropriated for higher education, including $6.8 billion for scholarships like LIFE, Palmetto Fellows, HOPE, and Needs-Based Grants.
2. What’s the cash value of tonight’s $707M Powerball, and what would I keep?
The lump sum is $309.7 million before taxes. After 24% federal withholding: ~$235.4 million. If you’re in the top tax bracket (37%), you’d net roughly $192 million before SC state taxes. Always consult a tax pro first.
3. Can I stay anonymous if I win in South Carolina?
Yes! SC law allows permanent, complete anonymity for all winners. The lottery only releases the store location and prize amount — your name is never public unless you choose to share it.
4. How does lottery money actually get to students?
Money goes into the Education Lottery Account. The SC General Assembly (lawmakers) votes each year on how to spend it. The lottery itself doesn’t pick programs. FY2026 funds went to scholarships, tuition assistance, National Guard Loan Repayment, K-12 tech/buses, and community programs.
5. What’s the difference between the "annuity" and "cash option"?
- Annuity: Full jackpot ($707M) paid in 30 annual payments (grows 5% each year)
- Cash option: One-time payment of the current prize pool value ($309.7M) — smaller upfront, but you get it all now
- Most winners choose cash — but talk to a financial advisor!
Play Smart
Must be 18+ to buy SC Education Lottery tickets.
Problem gambling? Call SC Gambling Helpline: 1-877-452-5155
Lottery tickets don’t guarantee scholarships for any individual. Play responsibly.
