A California man has cashed in a $2.3 million Mega Millions ticket after matching all five numbers but just missing the Mega number in September, Lottery officials announced on Thursday.
Jose Hernandez Guerra purchased the winning ticket from the ARCO in Riverside County’s Cathedral City ahead of the Sept. 6 drawing.
“Luckily for Mr. Hernandez Guerra, California is unique among its partner states for both Mega Millions and Powerball® in that all prize levels are pari-mutuel,” the California Lottery’s release stated.
That meant Guerra’s payout was “split among the number of players who win in the same way” instead of fixed, which would have limited him to a $1 million second-place prize in any other state.
Lottery officials also mentioned other notable California Scratchers winners who already took home at least $1 million this year.
- Oscar Gonazales Huinac claimed a $5.8 million win from a 200X Scratchers picked up from Tomato Market in Inglewood.
- Renato Escudero spelled out an instant $2 million on the Instant Prize Crossword Scratchers game from the ARCO at 1260 Park Street in Alameda.
- Oscar Nieto Capistran received a $1 million prize with a $100 Million Mega Cash Scratchers from the 7-Eleven at 2150 Placentia Avenue in Costa Mesa.
- Floriano Cruz Mayo also won a $1 million prize playing Red Hot Cash purchased at JK Smoke Shop in Buena Park.
“All told these five fortunate players together claimed over $12 million in prizes to kick off 2025, all in support of California public education,” the news release stated.
