California’s $1.2 Billion Jackpot: Who Won and Where the Money Will Go

Who Won the Largest Jackpot in California’s History?

On December 27, 2024, a ticket purchased at a small Sunshine Food and Gas Circle K store near Interstate 5 in Cottonwood (Shasta County) matched all six Mega Millions numbers — the only one in the entire country. The winner was identified as Rosemary Casarotti.

Despite the unprecedented prize of over $1.2 billion, Casarotti chose to stay out of the public eye. She did not attend the press conference, though her identity was released in accordance with California law.

What the Winner Received: Lump Sum and Taxes

Casarotti opted for a lump-sum payment instead of annuity installments. The total she received amounted to over $571 million after federal taxes.

“She was deeply grateful, modest, and happy — not just because of the money, but because her win also supported California’s education,” said Lottery spokesperson Carolyn Becker.

A Lottery Ticket That Benefited Schools

This wasn’t just a personal victory — California’s public education system received a significant windfall. According to the California Lottery, this jackpot resulted in $89.5 million being allocated to school budgets. These funds will be used for:

• Supporting arts and athletic programs,
• Technical training and equipment,
• Educational initiatives that typically lack funding.

The financial support spans all education levels, from kindergartens to UC and CSU universities.

How Lottery Revenues Are Distributed

Revenue from California Lottery ticket sales is allocated as follows:

As of March 2025, over 4.6 million winning tickets were sold in the December 27 draw, excluding the jackpot ticket. These amounted to $27 million in additional prize payouts.

Luck for the Retailer Too

Selling a life-changing ticket also brought a big bonus to the retail location. The Circle K store in Cottonwood received $1 million, the maximum retailer bonus for a jackpot-winning ticket.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be part of lottery history. We love our customers and are grateful for their trust,” said store owner Ishar Gill.

In total, 23,000 lottery retailers across California earned over $14.1 million in bonuses and incentives related to this drawing.

The Lottery: More Than Just a Game

Since its founding, the California Lottery has contributed more than $46 billion to educational institutions across the state. While it represents a modest portion of the total education budget, these funds play a vital role in enriching school programs.

Programs frequently supported by the Lottery include:

• Theater and music classes,
• Sports activities,
• Training in emerging technologies,
• Customized educational tracks.

“We see lottery money transforming into real results — whether it’s a new microscope in a science lab or a student stepping on stage for the first time,” noted Becker.

Traditional lotteries remain popular not just in the U.S., but worldwide. In recent years, online lotteries with live dealers have also been gaining traction. Many of these can now be found in online casinos — for instance, on the 1win platform.

A Jackpot — But Not a Solo Victory?

While Rosemary Casarotti claimed the grand prize, over 840,000 other tickets in the same draw also won prizes. Among them were two tickets worth $787,000 each, having matched five numbers but missing only the Mega Ball that secured Casarotti’s win.

Conclusion

The story of Rosemary Casarotti is not just a personal milestone, but a clear example of how a public lottery can serve the broader community. Thanks to one individual’s win, millions of children and students across California will benefit from better resources, opportunities, and inspiration.

This event serves as a reminder that even a ticket worth a few dollars can have an impact far beyond the wallet of the buyer.