S.C. man remains private after Powerball win

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The winner of a $400 million Powerball jackpot cashed in his ticket Monday in South Carolina, but he told lottery officials that he wants to remain anonymous.

The lottery released a few details about last week’s winner, who lives in Columbia.

He stopped to get gas at a Murphy Express gas station in Columbia the day of the drawing last Wednesday and his wife told him to buy some hot dog buns. The store didn’t sell buns, but after seeing the $400 million prize advertised, the winner bought $20 in lottery tickets instead, lottery officials said.

It was only his second time playing the lottery, he told officials.

The winner checked his ticket Thursday at his home and realized he was a winner. He told the only creature around, his dog, according to the South Carolina lottery.

His dog, his wife and lottery officials may be the only people who know the winner for certain. South Carolina is one of only six Powerball states that allow winners to refuse to let their identities to be released.

Lottery officials aren’t saying whether the man took the $399.4 million payout over 30 years or the direct cash option of $233 million. The jackpot was the fourth-largest in the history of the game. The South Carolina man was the only winner.