California Lottery Reveals $1.2B Mega Millions Winner

Finally, it has been revealed who won last year’s $1.2 billion Mega Millions jackpot. California lottery officials have named Rosemary Casarotti as the person who bought the winning ticket — but she wants to stay out of the public eye.

Mega Millions Jackpot Winner Skips Public Spotlight, Opts for $571M Lump Sum

Casarotti won the huge prize by matching all six numbers in the December 27, 2024, drawing. She bought the ticket at Sunshine Food and Gas Circle K in Cottonwood, Shasta County. Instead of going to a press conference to celebrate her big win, she decided to keep to herself, lottery officials said.

Even though she did not show up at the public event, California Lottery spokesperson Carolyn Becker talked about a chat she had with Casarotti. Becker said Casarotti felt thankful and happy about winning, and she liked that by playing the lottery, she helped fund public schools in the state, reported The Sun.

Casarotti, like many who win big in the lottery, had to pick between getting the full jackpot in yearly payments or a smaller amount all at once. She went for the second option, which gave her $571 million in cash right away. California does not tax lottery winnings so Casarotti kept most of her prize. However, state laws say jackpot winners’ names must go public, so she could not stay anonymous.

Casarotti’s Historic Win Supports Public Education and Local Business in California

Casarotti’s big win also helped California’s public schools. The lottery said about $89.5 million from ticket sales during the jackpot buildup will go to education programs across the state.

In addition, the Circle K store that sold the winning ticket got a reward. The family-owned business received a $1 million bonus, which is the usual amount for stores that sell jackpot-winning tickets.

Store owner Ishar Gill felt thrilled about the historic win saying it made his business and the local community proud.

Casarotti’s win stands among the highest Mega Millions jackpots ever given, but it does not beat the record $1.6 billion prize from August 2023. With a 1 in 302.6 million chance to hit the Mega Millions jackpot, her win shows incredible luck.

Rosemary Casarotti chose to avoid attention, but her life has changed for good. Meanwhile, Mega Millions keeps drawing hopeful players, with the current jackpot at about $324 million.