No one has won the lottery jackpot in California recently. The last major lottery jackpot won in California was back in November 2018 when someone won a $150 million Powerball jackpot. Since then, there have been no huge jackpot winners in the state.
The two big lottery games in California are Powerball and Mega Millions. Both games have gone many drawings without a jackpot winner. The current Powerball jackpot is estimated at $100 million and the current Mega Millions jackpot is $50 million. With jackpots growing to sizable amounts, many California lottery players are eagerly anticipating when the next big winner will emerge.
Current California Lottery Jackpots
| Lottery Game | Current Jackpot |
|---|---|
| Powerball | $100 million |
| Mega Millions | $50 million |
As shown in the table above, Powerball and Mega Millions, the two multi-state lottery games offered in California, currently have substantial jackpots up for grabs. The Powerball jackpot is estimated at $100 million for the next drawing on Saturday, while the Mega Millions jackpot stands at $50 million for the drawing on Tuesday. These jackpots continue to grow as more drawings pass without a winner matching all the numbers. Lottery fever is heating up in the state as players hope to get lucky and hit these huge prizes.
The last time the Powerball jackpot was won was on August 3rd, when a ticket in Pennsylvania won $206.9 million. For Mega Millions, you have to go back to July 29th for when the last jackpot was hit, with the winning ticket coming from Illinois and worth $1.337 billion. So it has been nearly 3 months since Mega Millions had a grand prize winner and over 2 months for Powerball.
Biggest California Lottery Winners
Even though it has been a while since a jackpot has been hit in California, the state has had its share of massive lottery winners over the years. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest lottery prizes ever won by players who purchased their tickets in California:
$150 Million Powerball Jackpot
In November 2018, a single Powerball ticket sold in California matched all 6 numbers to win the $150 million jackpot. The lucky ticket was sold at a gas station in Rancho Cucamonga. The winner chose to take the lump sum cash option of $87.2 million before federal taxes. At the time it was the 4th largest lottery prize ever won in California.
$316 Million Mega Millions Jackpot
In November 2005, a group of co-workers who pooled their money together won half of a $631 million Mega Millions jackpot. Their winning ticket with the numbers 1-12-29-39-42 and Mega Ball number 36 was purchased at a liquor store in Chino Hills. Each of the 11 co-workers took home nearly $28 million after taxes.
$543 Million Mega Millions Jackpot
In July 2018, a Mega Millions ticket worth $543 million was sold in San Jose. The winner chose to remain anonymous and took the lump sum payment of $320.5 million. It stands as the largest lottery prize ever won in California. Just 5 months earlier in April 2018, a Mega Millions ticket in Santa Clara County had won a $536 million jackpot, so the San Jose area produced enormous winners in a short time frame.
$315 Million Powerball Jackpot
The 4th largest California lottery prize was won in November 2015 when a Powerball ticket sold in Chino Hills hit a $315 million jackpot. Again a group of co-workers had pooled their money and ended up sharing the massive prize. Each person collected a lump sum payment of around $24 million after federal taxes.
$213 Million Mega Millions Jackpot
In December 2013, two winning Mega Millions tickets were sold in California – one in Atlanta and one in San Jose. The San Jose ticket that hit the jackpot was sold at Jenny’s Gift Shop and wound up winning half the $414 million prize, so around $213 million. The winner took the cash option of $173 million.
So those are the 5 biggest lottery prizes that players in California have won over the years in the Powerball and Mega Millions games. All of them were worth over $150 million, with the top 2 exceeding half a billion dollars. It shows that despite no recent winners, California residents definitely know how hit it big playing the lottery.
Where Winning Tickets Have Been Sold in California
With lottery fever sweeping California as the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots continue to climb, many players wonder where past winning tickets have been sold in the state. Certain lucky retailers have sold more than one jackpot winning ticket. Here are some of the luckiest California stores that have produced big lottery winners:
Arco AM/PM, Los Angeles County
This gas station in the Los Angeles suburb of Riverside sold a Mega Millions ticket in 2005 that won half of a $380 million jackpot. Just two years later in 2007, they sold a Super Lotto Plus ticket that won a $193 million jackpot.
M & M Liquor & Food Store, San Mateo County
At this store in San Bruno, a Mega Millions ticket was sold in 2008 that split a $276 million jackpot with a ticket in New Jersey. Fast forward to 2011, and this store sold 5 tickets that matched the first 5 Powerball numbers in a drawing with a $23 million jackpot.
Loganville Shell, Alameda County
This convenience store in Union City sold a Fantasy 5 ticket in 2015 that won a $41 million jackpot. Just two years later in 2017, the store sold a Powerball ticket that won $447 million.
7-Eleven, Los Angeles County
A 7-Eleven in Downey sold a Mega Millions ticket in 2005 that split a $315 million jackpot. They followed that up just 2 years later when they sold a SuperLotto Plus ticket in 2007 worth $193 million.
Pink Dot Liquor Store, Los Angeles County
Situated in Woodland Hills, this store first sold a Mega Millions ticket in 2013 that won a $61 million prize. Then in 2015, they sold a Powerball ticket that ended up winning a $90 million jackpot.
The takeaway is that big winners can come from anywhere in California. Everyday places like gas stations, liquor stores, and 7-Elevens have sold tickets worth tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars. As the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots continue to climb, the next multi-millionaire could be reading this and imagining what their local retailer will sell the winning ticket!
Advice for Playing the Lottery
With California lottery fever in full swing, many residents are eager to try their luck playing Powerball and Mega Millions with enormous jackpots on the line. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you play:
Stay Within Your Budget
Only spend what you can afford. Stick to a set budget for lottery tickets instead of digging deep when jackpots surge. Don’t go overboard chasing a big win.
Don’t Rely on Lottery Winnings
Your odds of winning are extremely low. The California Lottery website lists the odds of matching all 6 Powerball numbers as 1 in 292 million! Treat buying tickets as entertainment and don’t count on a jackpot to pay bills.
Know the Tax Implications
There is no escaping taxes on lottery winnings. Federal tax is 25% and California tax can be over 10%. Factor that in when deciding cash vs. annuity.
Remain Anonymous If Possible
To avoid hassles from long lost friends and relatives, try to claim winnings through a trust. Lottery winners can face many headaches.
Don’t Pick Obvious Numbers
Avoid predictable number combinations like multiples of 7 or your birthday numbers. Mix it up to increase chances of unique numbers.
Buy Tickets Individually
Buying tickets with friends may seem fun but can lead to legal issues later. Buy your own tickets to avoid complications.
Check Numbers Carefully
Make sure the retailer prints your numbers correctly. Verify the numbers against your selections before leaving the store.
Sign the Back of the Ticket
Signing the back helps prove the ticket is yours. Keep it very safe until ready to claim. Never post photos of it online.
Following sensible precautions allows you to play the lottery responsibly. Just remember your odds of winning are incredibly small, so have fun but don’t go overboard chasing jackpots.
Famous Lottery Winners
Over the years there have been a number of famous lottery winners who captured headlines after winning huge jackpots. Here are some of the most well-known lottery winners in the United States:
Jack Whittaker – $314 Million Powerball
In December 2002, West Virginia businessman Jack Whittaker won $314 million playing Powerball. At the time it was the largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever won by a single ticket. Whittaker quickly fell victim to problems like lawsuits and thefts after coming into his sudden fortune.
Evelyn Adams – $5.4 Million (Twice)
New Jersey native Evelyn Adams beat the astronomical odds and won the lottery twice, in 1985 and 1986. Her total winnings amounted to $5.4 million from the two tickets. She gambled it all away and lost everything within years of winning.
Andrew “Jack” Whittaker Jr. – $315 Million Powerball
Winning a $315 million Powerball jackpot on Christmas of 2002 should have been a dream come true. But West Virginia builder Andrew Whittaker Jr. claimed the windfall was a curse, leading to legal trouble, addictions, and family turmoil before his death in 2020.
Louise White – $336 Million Powerball
At the advanced age of 76, Rhode Island great-grandmother Louise White won a $336 million Powerball prize in February 2012. She reportedly used the money to spoil her family with gifts like vacations, cars, and college funds for great-grandchildren.
Shane Missler – $451 Million Mega Millions
Barely old enough to play the lottery at age 20, Florida resident Shane Missler won a $451 million Mega Millions jackpot in January 2018. Despite his instant riches, he continued to pursue education and a degree in finance after claiming the lump sum payout of $281 million.
From the highs to lows, lottery winners experience a rollercoaster ride after hitting the jackpot. Some invest wisely while others struggle with managing their overnight fortunes and fall victim to reckless decisions. The next multi-million dollar California winner will hope to keep a steady head on their shoulders if they beat the astronomical odds and match the winning numbers.
Biggest Jackpots in U.S. History
With Powerball and Mega Millions lotteries regularly producing enormous jackpots, some mind-boggling records have been set in United States lottery history. Here are the biggest lottery jackpots ever won in the U.S.:
$1.586 Billion – Powerball – January 2016
This epic Powerball jackpot rolled over many times to grow to a world record amount of $1.586 billion in January 2016. The winning ticket was purchased in California at a 7-Eleven in Chino Hills. The cash value option taken totaled $983.5 million, split among 3 lucky tickets.
$1.537 Billion – Mega Millions – October 2018
Just 2 years after Powerball set a massive record, Mega Millions responded by smashing it to reach $1.537 billion in October 2018. A single ticket sold in South Carolina won the full amount, taking the cash option of a whopping $877,784,124.
$768 Million – Powerball – March 2019
In March 2019, a lone Powerball ticket sold in Wisconsin was the only one to match all 6 numbers, landing the third largest lottery prize in American history at $768 million. The cash payout was around $477 million before taxes.
$656 Million – Mega Millions – March 2012
This Mega Millions jackpot soared to $656 million in March 2012, selling in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland. The cash value taken by the 3 tickets was reported to be approximately $158 million each after their big split.
$648 Million – Mega Millions – December 2013
Mega Millions produced its biggest ever jackpot up to that point in December 2013 when 2 tickets – one in California and one in Georgia – landed a $648 million prize. Each ticket could take about $173 million as a cash option.
Those are 5 of the biggest jackpots in the history of US lotteries, with the top 2 exceeding a staggering $1.5 billion. Powerball and Mega Millions continue raising the bar, so there is no telling how high the records will climb when another epic jackpot rolls over for months without a winner. Even just matching some of the numbers can produce life-changing money for fortunate players.
Conclusion
The Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots continue swelling in California, presenting players with an exciting chance to try their luck. While no one has won big recently, past years have seen lottery tickets worth hundreds of millions getting sold in the state. Gas stations, liquor stores, and supermarkets have been common sellers of major winning tickets.
Lottery fever takes hold whenever the jackpots climb into nine figure territory. Just remember to play responsibly within your budget. Tens of millions seem like a dream come true, but suddenly coming into huge winnings has been a curse for some past winners. Stay realistic about the tiny odds but allow yourself to imagine for fun that enormous check with your name on it!