California's Record $1.2 Billion Lottery Winner Announced

Rosemary Casarotti has been identified as the sole winner of the $1.2 billion Mega Millions jackpot, the largest in California's history, from a ticket purchased at the Sunshine Food and Gas Circle K in Cottonwood. Casarotti opted for the lump sum payout, amounting to approximately $571 million after federal taxes. She chose to keep her identity as private as possible and did not attend the press conference. The win also benefited public education, raising an estimated $89.5 million for California schools. The Circle K store that sold the ticket received a $1 million bonus. This jackpot was the only billion-dollar Mega Millions prize won in the U.S. in 2024, highlighting its significance as a historic event.