Can You Spell $24 Million? These Scratchers® Players Can!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 28, 2026 PIO@calottery.com @calotterypress

Can You Spell $24 Million?

These Scratchers® Players Can! Seven Players Write Big Wins

SACRAMENTO – A fresh batch of puzzle pros pieced together winning grids in both the Instant Prize Crossword and Crossword Xtreme Scratchers® games. Each ticket can be a golden key to a prize-packed puzzle, and every play supports California's public schools, serving local students with programs tailored to their needs.

Grid-Fitting $2,000,000 From Visalia to the Central Valley

These wordsmiths managed to wrangle every letter into its rightful spot and, in doing so, revealed Instant Prize Crossword's top treasure of $2 million each:

• Arbi Amirian at Foothill Gas Mart, 2660 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta. • Christopher Gomez at Circle 7 Liquor Store, 2020 N. Dinuba Blvd, Visalia. • Darla Huddleston at Save Mart, 15240 S Harlan Rd., Lathrop. • Maria Garcia Ruiz at 7 Eleven, 601 Carolyn Weston Blvd, Stockton. • Lilian Romero at The Liquor Center, 5424 Laurel Canyon Blvd Ste A, North Hollywood.

$7 Million – Not Just Words On A Page For These Players

Not to be outdone, the Crossword Xtreme crowd filled in every last square and matched their way straight to the incredible top prize of $7 million each:

• Juan Lopez at Chevron, 3272 Heritage Rd, Chula Vista. • Ramon Yepez at 7 Eleven, 3698 Ming Ave., Bakersfield.

When You Play, California Public Education Wins

Beyond the excitement of big wins, California Lottery funds provide critical support for public schools across the state from elementary classrooms to community colleges. The supplemental funding helps launch and grow programs like career technical education, giving students the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. California Lottery funds purchase science lab equipment, upgraded technology, or career readiness programs. Funding is directed at the local level, providing support where administrators, teachers, and students identify needs, which keep programs accessible to everyone. For more information, visit calottery.com/who-benefits.

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The mission of the California Lottery is to raise additional funding for public education, helping to supplement school budgets for K-12 as well as colleges and universities. The California Lottery has raised more than $48 billion for public schools through the responsible sale of its games since 1985. Lottery funding for schools is largely discretionary, so administrators and educators can use Lottery money for instructional programs and services they may not otherwise afford. The California Lottery features eight draw games and dozens of new instant Scratchers games each year. More than 95% of California Lottery sales revenue goes back to the community in the form of prize payments, retailer commissions and bonuses, and contributions to education. More information about who benefits can be found here. As jackpots rise, the California Lottery would like to remind players that gambling should be fun. Borrowing money to play, spending above a person's budget, or using money intended for other purposes can ultimately lead to significant problems for players and their families. If a player recognizes that they have a gambling problem or if someone knows of someone who may have a problem, the Lottery recommends calling the California Problem Gambling Help Line at 1-800-GAMBLER.