Four California Lottery players are the state’s newest millionaires after winning a combined total of $5.5. million from lottery games, lottery officials announced Thursday.
The winners purchased their tickets at various shops across the state.
In Sun Valley, Jorge Loza came within a single number of winning the Powerball jackpot but still walked away with nearly $2.5 million.
Loza purchased his ticket at a 7-Eleven on Sunland Boulevard and matched five numbers, missing only the Powerball number.
In Ventura, Teresa Cisneros won $1 million on a Single, Double, Triple Scratchers ticket during her routine stop at a local 7-Eleven on North Ventura Avenue.
Northern California players have also had their share of good fortune. Guadalupe Guerro, who was visiting Santa Rosa to see his mom, purchased two $10 Scratchers tickets instead of his usual $5 options at MD Liquor & Food in Rohnert Park.
“At first, I thought I had won $1,000, but then my kid pointed out, ‘No, that’s not a thousand, that’s a million!” Guerro said.
He confirmed his win using the California Lottery’s mobile app.
Another lucky player, Jesus Perez of San Jose, spent $10 on a Loteria Grande Scratchers ticket while visiting the Rotten Robbie store on Saratoga Avenue.
Initially thinking he hadn’t won anything, Perez rechecked his ticket before discarding it. That second look revealed he had won the game’s $1 million top prize.
“I thanked the Lord of miracles,” he said.
Their participation in the California Lottery also supports state public education funding.
Ticket sales from draw games, like Powerball, Mega Millions, SuperLotto Plus, and Fantasy 5, and unclaimed lottery winnings are given to California public schools.