Columbia, South Carolina, October 22, 2025
News Summary
The Mega Millions lottery jackpot has soared to $650 million for the drawing tonight. Players must buy their $5 tickets by 10 p.m. The last drawing saw over $8.5 million awarded, with more than 20,000 winners in South Carolina. Excitement builds as players prepare for this massive prize, but remember to play responsibly.
Columbia, South Carolina – The Mega Millions lottery jackpot has climbed to a staggering $650 million for the drawing taking place tonight at 11 p.m. Players eager to take a chance on the enormous prize must purchase their $5 tickets before the cutoff time of 10 p.m. The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot stand at an astronomical 1 in 290,472,336.
In the latest drawing on Friday, a total of over $8.5 million in prizes was awarded nationwide. South Carolina alone saw more than 20,000 winners participate in that drawing. The winning numbers drawn were 02-18-27-34-59, with the Mega Ball being 18.
Additionally, the results for the Pick 3 and Pick 4 games were released. The Pick 3 Midday results were 6-2-5 with a Fireball of 0, while the Pick 3 Evening results were 3-3-4 with a Fireball of 5. For the Pick 4, the Midday numbers came in as 5-8-9-0 with a Fireball of 0, and the Evening results revealed 4-4-5-6 along with a Fireball of 5.
In the Cash Pop game, the Midday result was 13, and the Evening result was 14. The Palmetto Cash 5 winning numbers were 04-20-30-35-37. Players who win small prizes of up to $500 can visit any authorized retailer to claim their winnings with a signed ticket. For prizes ranging from $501 to $100,000, players must mail their signed ticket and completed claim form along with a photo ID to the Claims Center. Any prizes exceeding $100,000 must be claimed in person at the Lottery Headquarters in Columbia, requiring a signed ticket, claim form, photo ID, and Social Security card.
Players who win large amounts also have the option for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for direct deposit of their winnings. It is important to note that all claims must be made within 180 days of the drawing date.
In other news regarding the lottery in South Carolina, J and S Food Mart in Columbia recently received a $10,000 commission for selling a winning Million Dollar Mania ticket worth $1 million. In an interesting twist, one player altered her routine and ended up winning $303,000 in the Palmetto Cash 5 drawing after a clerk’s error inadvertently provided her with a quick pick ticket.
As excitement builds with the upcoming Mega Millions drawing, players are reminded to play responsibly and follow all claiming procedures for lottery prizes.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Palmetto Cash 5 Ticket Wins Big in Columbia
South Carolina Education Lottery Draw Results Announced
South Carolina Education Lottery Announces Mega Millions Winning Numbers
Columbia Player Wins $1 Million in Lottery
Woodruff Winner Claims $2.5 Million from Lottery Draws
Mega Millions Jackpot Reaches $600 Million
Two South Carolina Players Win Big in Lottery
South Carolina Players Win Big in Lottery Games
Columbia Player Wins $100,000 in Powerball Drawing
Additional Resources
- Greenville Online: South Carolina Lottery Results
- WLTX: Mega Millions Jackpot
- WIS TV: Midlands Winner Takes Home $1 Million
- UPI: South Carolina Education Lottery Clerk Mistake
- Live 5 News: Multiple Winning Lottery Tickets Sold
- Wikipedia: Lottery
- Google Search: South Carolina Lottery
- Google Scholar: Lottery Jackpots
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lottery
- Google News: South Carolina Lottery
Author: STAFF HERE NEWBERRY
The NEWBERRY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewberry.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Newberry, Newberry County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Newberry Opera House performances, Newberry Arts Fest, and the Newberry County Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce and the Newberry Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and agriculture that power the local economy such as Amick Farms and Newberry Mills. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
