Columbia, SC (October 10, 2005): The South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL) now has its first South Carolina Powerball® millionaire— Francis H. Stephenson of Chester! He matched five of six Powerball® numbers in last Saturday night’s drawing. The winning Powerball numbers were: 26, 31, 35, 46, and 50. The Powerball® number was 28. The PowerPlay number was 5.
“I hadn’t played in two weeks,” said Stephenson. “I only play a few bucks once a week.”
Stephenson, 60, bought his ticket from the Pantry Express #444 on JA Cochran Bypass, in Chester. He quick-picked his Powerball® numbers and paid an extra $1 for the PowerPlay option. On Sunday morning, he saw the winning numbers in the paper and thought he won $500,000.
“I told my wife I won $500,000,” said Stephenson. “Then my son said, ‘Dad are you sure? They changed the game and I think you won $1 million.’”
On August 28, Powerball® officials changed the Match 5 feature of the game which doubled the second prize for the white ball numbers from $100,000 to $200,000 cash! With the purchase of the PowerPlay® option, players also have the opportunity to multiply their winnings by up to five to win up to $1 million!
Stephenson added, “Five hundred thousand was a gracious plenty, but one million will do me just fine.”
Once Stephenson collected his new found wealth, he went back to work at Superior Essex in Chester. He plans to invest his money after he buys a new pick-up truck. Stephenson still plans on retiring in three years.
SCEL has had three Powerball® jackpot winners. They have all been from North Carolina.
“I hadn’t played in two weeks,” said Stephenson. “I only play a few bucks once a week.”
Stephenson, 60, bought his ticket from the Pantry Express #444 on JA Cochran Bypass, in Chester. He quick-picked his Powerball® numbers and paid an extra $1 for the PowerPlay option. On Sunday morning, he saw the winning numbers in the paper and thought he won $500,000.
“I told my wife I won $500,000,” said Stephenson. “Then my son said, ‘Dad are you sure? They changed the game and I think you won $1 million.’”
On August 28, Powerball® officials changed the Match 5 feature of the game which doubled the second prize for the white ball numbers from $100,000 to $200,000 cash! With the purchase of the PowerPlay® option, players also have the opportunity to multiply their winnings by up to five to win up to $1 million!
Stephenson added, “Five hundred thousand was a gracious plenty, but one million will do me just fine.”
Once Stephenson collected his new found wealth, he went back to work at Superior Essex in Chester. He plans to invest his money after he buys a new pick-up truck. Stephenson still plans on retiring in three years.
SCEL has had three Powerball® jackpot winners. They have all been from North Carolina.
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