One woman became a certified, albeit temporary, billionaire because she was the only person in the entire country to match all six Mega Millions drawing numbers, California Lottery officials revealed Monday.
Rosemary Casarotti, the only winner of the $1.2 billion jackpot, purchased the winning ticket for the Dec. 27 Mega Millions drawing at the Sunshine Food and Gas Circle K in Cottonwood, California nearly 20 miles south of Redding.
Casarotti, who declined to participate in the Monday press conference, told lottery officials that she “wishes to remain as private as possible.”
“We offer Rosemary our heartfelt congratulations for her historic win and our gratitude for her part in supporting the California Lottery’s mission to provide extra money for public education in our state,” Harjinder Shergill Chima, California Lottery Director, said in a news release.
Casarotti choose to receive a lump sum, making her total earnings from the win roughly $571 million. If Casarotti had opted to receive annual payments, she would have received an amount closer to the $1.26 billion.
“I had the pleasure of speaking with Rosemary by phone following her win, and I can tell you with certainty how grateful she is and how happy she is to have won this money and to have supported public schools,” California Lottery spokesperson Carolyn Becker said.
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‘An amazing feeling,’ store owner says
California Lottery officials declined to offer additional details about Casarotti, specifically regarding the location of her primary residence.
Property records indicate that a Rosemary Casarotti lived in Shasta County, California as of 2023,
The Circle K where Casarotti purchased the winning ticket received $1 million for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.
A Mega Millions ticket for an August 2022 jackpot drawing.
“It’s an amazing feeling to know that our store played a part in making Lottery history,” store owner Ishar Gill said at the news conference. “Our customers are the heart of our business, and we’re grateful to be a part of such an amazing community.”
Gill’s family already received the $1 million payment for selling the ticket at the Cottonwood store. Since the winning lottery ticket was announced in December, ticket sales have increased at the store, Gill said.
When is the next Mega Millions drawing? And how do I play?
The next drawing, where the winning numbers for the $277 million jackpot will be determined, is Tuesday, March 18 at 11 p.m. ET.
Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. Tickets are available up to 15 minutes before the drawing takes place.
Five of the numbers will come from white balls whose numbers range between 1 to 70 and the last number will come from the gold Mega Ball whose numbers range between 1 and 25. Players may also select the “Easy Pick” or “Quick Pick” options, which will have the computer randomly generate six-number sequence.
The “Megaplier,” a $1 add-on feature, that can increase non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times. Before each regular Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier is drawn. From a pool of 15 balls, six are marked with “3X,” five are marked with “2X,” three with “4X” and one with “5X.”
Where can I buy lottery tickets?
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. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY; Damon Arthur and David Benda, Redding Record Searchlight part of the USA TODAY Network
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California woman revealed as $1.2 billion Mega Millions jackpot winner
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