COLUMBIA, SC (December 19, 2007) – Twice in one week the South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL) awarded a top million dollar prize for the instant ticket Cash Bonanza Riches.
A couple from Dillon, who wish to remain anonymous, say they now believe in holiday miracles after winning $1 million. The winners bought two Cash Bonanza Riches tickets from Butch’s Foodmart in Dillon.
“We play all the games, but my wife loves the scratch-off tickets. So we went to the store and bought two $10 tickets. I thought something was wrong when my wife turned all different colors and couldn’t speak— so I knew something was happening. When I looked at the ticket I couldn’t believe it,” said the winner.
The couple told SCEL staff that they have been playing the Lottery since it started in 2002 and have won a few times but never this big. The duo insists one of the reasons they play the Lottery is the benefit to South Carolina’s students. “Before, it never really mattered when we didn’t win, because we knew that education was being helped.”
The couple has big plans for their winnings. “It’s going to be a great Christmas this year. My wife has never been able to travel, so we are going to travel. We also want to buy our daughter a new car and spoil the grandbabies.”
Another Cash Bonanza Riches ticket scored the top million dollar prize for Ervin Ratterree, Jr., of Catawba, three days before the Dillon couple became new millionaires.
Cash Bonanza Riches is a $10 ticket and one of SCEL’s most popular games. Three $1 million top prizes are still in the game with more than $50 million in total prizes just waiting to be won.
Since its inception in 2002, the South Carolina Education Lottery has launched more than 240 instant games and five online games. Currently, SCEL offers approximately 30 instant games and four online games. SCEL produces an average of four new games each month in a variety of themes, play styles, and price points of $1-$10 and in a wide range of prize levels.
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