News writer
Some people dream of winning big with a scratch-off ticket. Others risk everything for just a sliver of the prize. One South Carolina woman may have learned the hard way that a $25 win isn't always worth the gamble. Now she's sitting behind bars with a felony charge, and all for $25.
All for $25?
On May 20, 2025, Anastasia McCray, a former employee at Parker's #94, located at 230 Church Street in Georgetown, allegedly stole South Carolina Lottery scratch-off tickets. McCray, 34, is accused of then redeeming one of the stolen tickets at a different location for cash prizes of approximately $25.
Authorities with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division identified McCray as the suspect and announced that the former convenience store employee had been charged with intent to defraud the South Carolina Education Lottery, a felony charge. All of this for a $25 winning ticket.
McCray was arrested and booked into the Georgetown County Detention Center. Her case will be prosecuted by the 15th Circuit Solicitor's Office.
More bang for their buck
While McCray was arrested and charged with cashing in the $25-winning lottery ticket, other suspects tried to make off with more money.
In September 2024, a Florida woman walked into a convenience store wearing a face covering and proceeded to take 48 lottery tickets. The tickets were worth $1,500, and she later tried to redeem nine of the stolen tickets at another location for $470. She was charged with unarmed burglary, grand theft, obtaining property by fraud, and violation of probation.
Another Florida case, as a man pulled off two late night robberies. During the first break-in, the man stole cigarette cartons, watches, rolls of Florida Lottery scratch-off tickets, and the cash register. In total, there was about $7,000 worth of items stolen that night.
A few days later, the man is accused of breaking into another gas station's roof and making his way into the store. During that robbery, he reportedly took around $2,000 worth of lottery tickets, around $2,000 worth of cigarettes, and $450 in cash. The man confessed to the burglaries and was charged with burglary, grand theft, criminal mischief, and dealing in stolen property.
Doing it the right way
While the people above were trying to steal their way to a big lottery win, a man in South Carolina decided to stop at the store on his way home from work and buy a lottery ticket. It was a good choice, as he ended up winning $500,000 on that ticket.
The lucky winner purchased the $500,000 Jackpot ticket for $10 at the 76 Station, located at 4881 Rivers Ave. in North Charleston. He scratched the ticket while standing at the gas pump and couldn't believe what he was seeing.
He needed a second opinion, so he headed back into the store and had the clerk scan the ticket for him. He was not wrong, as the machine told him to take the ticket to Columbia to cash in, which he recently did. In addition to his big win, the 76 Station also received a $5,000 bonus from the state lottery for selling the winning ticket.
Enjoy playing the South Carolina Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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