Lottery fever swept across two continents this week, as both Kerala in southern India and South Carolina in the United States announced the results of their highly anticipated draws. From the bustling city of Thiruvananthapuram to the heart of Columbia, South Carolina, hopeful ticket holders waited with bated breath, clutching their tickets and dreaming of life-changing fortunes. For a lucky few, those dreams just came true.
On October 25, 2025, the Kerala government’s State Lotteries Department conducted the Karunya KR 728 lucky draw at Gorky Bhavan, near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The draw, held at 3 PM, was a much-awaited event, with thousands tuning in online or via YouTube to catch the results as they happened. According to etnownews.com, the stakes were high: the first prize winner would walk away with a staggering Rs 1 crore (that’s 10 million rupees), enough to turn any ordinary Saturday into a day of celebration.
And indeed, for the holder of ticket number KF 115200, that dream became a reality. The first prize, worth Rs 1 crore, was awarded to this lucky individual, though it’s worth noting that 30% of the amount will be deducted as tax, as per the Kerala State Lotteries’ regulations. That’s still a hefty sum, and certainly enough to change a life. The second prize, Rs 25 lakh, went to ticket number KH 939290, while the third prize of Rs 10 lakh was claimed by ticket number KF 169466. Consolation prizes of Rs 5,000 were also distributed to ticket holders with numbers KN 115200, KO 115200, KP 115200, KR 115200, KS 115200, KT 115200, KU 115200, KV 115200, KW 115200, KX 115200, and KY 115200—quite a spread of luck!
But the prizes didn’t stop there. The Karunya KR 728 draw offered a range of cash awards, from Rs 5,000 for fourth prize winners to Rs 100 for those securing the ninth prize. The full list of winning numbers was published shortly after the draw, with detailed instructions on how to check and claim winnings. All winners are advised to confirm their ticket numbers with the official Kerala Government Gazette, and claims must be submitted within 90 days of the draw date. As the Kerala State Lotteries Department put it, “The prize winners shall prefer their claims within 30 days from the date of draw. First and second winning ticket should be surrendered to the Director of State Lotteries in person or by insured registered post or through Nationalised/ Scheduled Banks/ State or District Co-operative Banks supported with necessary documents.”
For those wondering how to check if they’ve struck gold, the process is straightforward. Players can verify their numbers by visiting the official Kerala Lottery Department website at keralalotteries.info, or by visiting the lottery office in person. The department also provides a downloadable PDF of the full results, making it easy for participants to cross-check their tickets from the comfort of their homes. The Karunya Lottery series itself is expansive, including ticket series such as KN, KO, KP, KR, KS, KT, KU, KV, KW, KX, KY, and KZ, ensuring a wide net of hopefuls every week.
But if you thought lottery excitement was limited to India, think again. Across the globe in South Carolina, lottery players were also checking their numbers and hoping for a windfall. On October 24, 2025, the South Carolina Education Lottery announced the results for several popular games, including Mega Millions, Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL, Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL, Cash Pop, and Palmetto Cash 5. According to the official South Carolina Education Lottery page, the winning Mega Millions numbers drawn on October 24 were 11, 18, 31, 51, 56, with the Mega Ball 24. For Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL, the midday numbers were 6-1-6 with a Fireball of 5, and the evening numbers were 6-5-0 with a Fireball of 7. Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL saw midday numbers of 2-3-2-1 (FB 5) and evening numbers of 6-9-8-4 (FB 7). Cash Pop’s midday number was 08, and the evening number was 03. For Palmetto Cash 5, the winning numbers were 06, 08, 30, 37, and 38.
Claiming prizes in South Carolina is a well-organized affair, tailored to the size of the win. Winnings up to $500 can be redeemed directly at any authorized retailer—just sign your winning ticket and present it for an immediate payout. For prizes ranging from $501 to $100,000, winners must mail their signed ticket with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. The lottery strongly advises keeping copies of all documents and using registered mail for security. For those who truly hit the jackpot—prizes above $100,000—an in-person visit to the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia is required. Winners need to bring their signed ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and their Social Security card for identity verification. For added convenience, large prize winners can set up an Electronic Funds Transfer for direct deposit.
There’s a ticking clock for all winners: prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date. The South Carolina Education Lottery also provides a detailed claim page for further information and downloadable forms, making the process as smooth as possible for those lucky enough to win.
Both the Kerala and South Carolina lotteries serve as reminders of the enduring appeal of games of chance. The anticipation, the hope, and the sheer thrill of possibility draw in millions, whether they’re playing for rupees or dollars. Of course, both lottery organizations are quick to remind players to participate responsibly—lottery play can be addictive, and it’s important to play within one’s means. As etnownews.com notes, “The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice or an encouragement to participate in lotteries.”
For those not lucky enough to win this time, there’s always next week—and for the fortunate few clutching winning tickets, life may never be quite the same again. Whether in Kerala or South Carolina, the lottery remains a powerful symbol of hope, chance, and the enduring human belief that, just maybe, today will be the day everything changes.
