Luck Rolls Out the Red Carpet

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 5, 2026 PIO@calottery.com @calotterypress

PRESS RELEASE

Luck Rolls Out the Red Carpet Three Lucky California Lottery Players Walk – With $2 Million Wins!

SACRAMENTO – Three freshly minted millionaires are likely dusting off their confetti cannons to celebrate their wins. Each of them got star treatment from their date with Red Carpet Riches Scratchers®.

Who are the winners?

Let's meet the lucky trio who now have two million reasons to smile:

•

•

•

Juan Ortiz, playing a game picked up from 7- Eleven, 1151 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. in Gardena, scratched his way to the $2 million top prize. Keith Evans rolled up on his prize with a ticket from Maria's Market and Deli, 7229 International Blvd, Oakland, and found 2 million reasons to visit the deli more often. Adam Lavelle discovered that the 7-Eleven at 10656 Rosecrans Ave, Norwalk, is not just a place for snacks, but also for $2 million surprises.

Speaking Of Red – Powerball® Draws Tonight For A Top Ten Prize

Powerball has its own red carpet out for tonight's drawing, and the winner will certainly be a star. At $786 million, the prize is in the top ten, pushing Wisconsin's March 27, 2019 win out of the number 9 position. A winner taking the cash option would walk away with an estimated $341.6 million, less federal taxes (California does not tax Lottery winnings). Powerball draws take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 7:59 p.m. Entry closes at 7 p.m. on the day of the draw.

Every Time You Play, Schools Win

Established by voters though Proposition 37 in 1984, the California Lottery offered its first Scratchers game on October 3, 1985. From the beginning and by statute, California Lottery funds are available for instructional use. Schools all across the state have used the extra money to support athletics programs, arts programs, career-focused programs, and even train firefighters. An interactive map and the latest financial reports are available on the California Lottery website at calottery.com/who-benefits. Those interested can use the map and reports to see specific funding by school district and school.

###

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.