California Lottery Winners
In the Golden State, many jackpots have been won since the launch of the lottery. The most famous wins are those of multi-state lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions. Between both games, the jackpot has been won in California more than 50 times. Here are some of the biggest wins in California:
$543 Million
Eleven co-workers won California's biggest ever Mega Millions jackpot. The prize was claimed by a representative of the group, Roland Reyes. The winners chose the cash option and each of them took home approximately $50 million before taxes. Roland shared: “If I could win, anybody could win. We’re just normal people!”
$530 Million
In June 2019, the second-largest jackpot in California was won. The winning ticket was purchased at the Sorrento Deli Mart, which is only a short walk from the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course. The big prize was claimed by a single winning ticket and the winner took the cash option of $345.2 million.
$426 Million
One ticket purchased at the Chevron station at 6061 Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Woodland Hills won this impressive jackpot. The prize, which initially was advertised at $421 million but was bumped up after skyrocketing sales, was claimed by Kristine Wellenstein. Kristine took the cash option and shared that she would like to give some of it back, and support local and global initiatives.
$2.04 Billion
After 40 rollovers, this Powerball grand prize pushed past $2 billion for the first time in history. The impressive jackpot was won by Edwin Castro, who bought his ticket in Altadena. The lucky (or luckiest) winner chose the cash option of $997.6 million.
$1.76 Billion
The second place in the top of the biggest Powerball jackpots is also occupied by California. After 35 rollovers, the grand prize was finally won by a single winning ticket which was purchased at the Midway Market and Liquor in Frazier Park in Kern County. The prize was claimed by a group of winners, represented by Theodorus Struyck.
$1.58 Billion
Three winning tickets managed to match the numbers for this draw. One of them was purchased in California, while the other two in Tennessee and Florida. Marvin and Mae Acosta from Chino Hills claimed their prize approximately half a year after the winning draw and took a cash payment of $327 million.
$193 Million
On February 16, 2002, the largest SuperLotto Plus jackpot was won. The big prize was worth $193 million and there were only three winning tickets. The amount was equally shared among them. One third of the prize was claimed by couple Paul and Rose Briscoe from Orange County. They were on holiday when they realized they had won and shared that “it was just unfathomable that you could win the Lotto. Our dream came true”. The winner who bought the second lucky ticket was Andy Kampe from Half Moon Bay, who chose to receive his winnings in annual installments. The third and last winner who came forward to claim her part of the prize was Welma Naguit. She didn’t purchase the ticket herself and asked her relatives in Montebello to buy one as she was away in the Philippines, her homeland. Welma decided to receive her prize as a lump sum, approximately $32 million before taxes.
$1.1 Million
California's Fantasy Five saw an exciting moment in lottery history on February 20, 2021, when $1.1 million, the highest jackpot of the game to date, was shared by four winners. Each of these lucky individuals received a payout of $292,515. These big wins were spread across Atwater, Hawthorne, (two winning tickets sold here), and Whittier. This draw highlighted the thrill of Fantasy Five and showcased how luck can strike at unexpected places across the Sunshine State!