Record $1.5 Billion Mega Millions Jackpot Claimed in South Carolina The unidentified person finally stepped forward after the winning numbers were announced last October. South Carolina is one of just eight states that let lottery winners keep their identities secret. According to the state's lottery commission, the person selected a one-time payment. NBC reports that this amounts to
just under $878 million. Should the winner not have
claimed the prize by April 19, South Carolina would have lost out on
$61 million in federal payments
from the jackpot. The store that sold the winning ticket also would have lost $50,000.