The California Lottery announced several new winners who became millionaires with Scratchers.
In Los Angeles County, Eugenio Anaya and Martín Ramírez each won $1 million. Anaya hit her jackpot after playing a Sparkling Riches Scratchers game purchased from One Stop Liquor Whole Mart in Los Angeles. Ramirez, another jackpot winner, got his million dollars at the Chevron on East Huntington Drive in Monrovia by playing The Perfect Gift!
Gabby Gonzales, a Chevron employee, said it was the first time she had heard of someone winning at her store. “We sell a lot of Scratchers. A lot of people say they like to play here because we are friendly,” González explained. “After the $1 million ticket, other players came in. I think the word got out. They think we’re lucky.”
A Berkeley player racked up $5 million playing literally $5,000,000 at Extreme. Lenora Watson bought her winning ticket at the SP Gas & Food Mart in Berkeley.
And finally, two players have each won $2 million playing Instant Crossword Scratchers. Susana Corona bought her winning ticket to Torrance at McCowan Liquor, and Miguel Ambriz bought his ticket at a Chevron on Victoria Avenue in Ventura.
In 1984, voters created the California Lottery to raise additional funds for public schools in the state. Since its inception, the lottery has generated more than $41 billion for educational institutions ranging from kindergarten to universities.
If you think you or someone you know has a gambling problem, you can call the California Confidential Problem Gambling Hotline at 1-800-GAMBLER.