California’s Mega Millions Jackpot Winner
Rosemary Casarotti from California recently made headlines by winning a staggering $1.269 billion in the Mega Millions lottery. This win, which occurred on December 27, 2024, is the largest Mega Millions jackpot in California’s history. The winning numbers were 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, with a Mega Ball of 6. Casarotti purchased her ticket at the Sunshine Food and Gas Circle K in Cottonwood, California. Initially advertised at $1.22 billion, the jackpot increased to $1.269 billion due to actual sales. This prize ranks as the fifth largest Mega Millions jackpot ever and the ninth largest U.S. lottery jackpot overall.
Details of the Winning Ticket
Casarotti chose to receive her winnings as a lump sum payment of approximately $571 million after federal taxes. California does not tax lottery winnings, which is a significant advantage for winners. Despite the public interest, Casarotti declined to attend a press conference and expressed her desire to maintain privacy. The California Lottery Director congratulated her and highlighted the contribution of her win to public education funding, estimated at $89.5 million.
Impact on the Community
The store where the winning ticket was sold received a $1 million bonus for selling the jackpot-winning ticket. Store owner Ishar Gill expressed excitement about being part of lottery history and noted an increase in ticket sales since the announcement of the win. This win is part of three instances where California has sold tickets resulting in jackpots exceeding $1 billion in Powerball and Mega Millions history.
Recent Mega Millions Drawings
The Mega Millions lottery continues to capture the attention of players across the nation. The jackpot for the drawing on March 21, 2025, was $324 million, with a one-time lump sum cash option of $150.6 million. However, no one claimed the jackpot, resulting in a rollover to $344 million for the next drawing. The winning numbers for the March 21 drawing were 15, 22, 31, 52, and 57, with a Mega Ball of 2. The Megaplier was 3x, which can increase non-jackpot prizes by up to five times for an extra dollar per play.
Other Notable Wins
In addition to the Mega Millions, other California lottery games have seen significant wins. A ticket purchased in California matched five numbers for a $1 million prize in a recent drawing. Another ticket purchased in Indiana also matched five numbers for a $1 million prize. These wins highlight the ongoing excitement and opportunities presented by the lottery.
California Lottery Games and Odds
The California Lottery offers multiple draw games, including Powerball, Daily 3, Daily Derby, and Fantasy 5. The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are approximately 1 in 302,575,350. Prizes range from $2 for matching just the Mega Ball to the grand prize jackpot. Players can choose their numbers or use “Easy Pick” or “Quick Pick” options for random number generation by computer.
Powerball and Other Draw Games
The Powerball winning numbers for March 17, 2025, were 11, 18, 23, 38, and 60, with a Powerball of 09 and a Power Play of 2. The Daily 3 midday winning numbers were 3, 9, and 9, while the evening numbers were 8, 9, and 1. The Daily Derby results included Gorgeous George in first place, Big Ben in second, and Lucky Charms in third. The Fantasy 5 winning numbers were 03, 13, 19, 24, and 29.
Claiming Prizes and Legal Considerations
In California, lottery winners must be publicly named, but their privacy is otherwise protected. Winners have one year from the draw date to claim their prize, while secondary winners have six months. In contrast, New Jersey allows lottery winners to remain completely anonymous due to a law signed in 2020 by Gov. Phil Murphy. This difference highlights the varying legal considerations across states regarding lottery winnings.
Conclusion
The California Lottery continues to offer exciting opportunities for players, with significant jackpots and multiple draw games. The recent win by Rosemary Casarotti underscores the potential life-changing impact of the lottery. As jackpots grow and more players participate, the lottery remains a popular pastime for many, offering both entertainment and the chance for substantial financial rewards.
