Winning $15 million lottery scratcher sold in California

Yahoo23-05-2025

A lucky lottery player in Southern California has claimed the first-ever top prize of a scratcher lottery ticket that celebrates the game's 40th anniversary, California Lottery officials said Wednesday.
The ticket, worth approximately $15 million, was sold in February to Israel Martin Rodriguez at the 7-Eleven on the corner of Oxnard Street and Woodman Avenue in Van Nuys, according to a news release from the California Lottery.
While Rodriguez won the grand prize, the 7-Eleven store that sold the winning ticket also received a $75,000 bonus.
According to the California Lottery, not long after Rodriguez celebrated his win, another top prize for the same scratcher game was sold. The lottery said it will be releasing the name of the winner and the location that sold that ticket soon.
The game originally featured five grand prize scratchers, the California Lottery said, meaning there are three remaining grand prizes remaining in the game. The game also has prizes of $100,000, $40,000 and $10,000, with lower prize amounts also available.
The California Lottery released its 40th anniversary-themed scratcher game, called "40 Years of Play!," on January 20. The lottery says the game was created to "honor 2025 as the 40th year since voters created the California Lottery" and boasts prizes from $40 to $15 million. Overall odds of winning are less than 1 in 3.
Lottery news: A man bought lottery tickets 'on a whim.' He ran down the street when he won $5.46 million.
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lottery scratcher winner in LA snags $15 million

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