Lightning struck twice in the Golden State, but this time it was worth a staggering ten-figure sum. Honestly, most people can't even wrap their heads around that much money. Imagine waking up, checking your phone, and realizing you're the sole owner of a ticket worth more than a billion dollars. It sounds like a movie plot. But for one lucky person in Northern California, it became a very loud reality.
The Mega Millions $1.3b jackpot won by California player Rosemary Casarotti is more than just a headline; it's a massive shift in the lottery landscape. While the initial estimates hovered around $1.2 billion, the final tally pushed right into that elite $1.3 billion territory. It was the holiday season of 2024, and while most people were worrying about last-minute gifts, someone in Shasta County was holding a piece of paper that could buy a small island. Or several.
The Winning Ticket in Cottonwood
You've probably never heard of Cottonwood. It’s a small, quiet spot about 200 miles north of San Francisco. Basically, it's the kind of place where everyone knows everyone. That changed on December 27, 2024. The winning numbers were 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, and that gold Mega Ball 6.
The ticket was sold at the Circle K Sunshine Food and Gas on Interstate 5. Think about how many people just pass through there. They stop for gas, grab a soda, maybe a snack, and hit the road. Rosemary Casarotti wasn't just passing through—she’s a local. And she beat the 1 in 302,575,350 odds.
I mean, let’s be real. You have a better chance of being struck by lightning while being eaten by a shark than winning this. Yet, there she was.
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Why Rosemary Casarotti Stayed Quiet
California is one of those states where you can't just hide. State law is pretty strict about transparency. They believe that to keep the game "honest," the public needs to know who won. This is a point of huge debate. Some people think it’s a safety risk. Others say it prevents corruption.
Because of these rules, the California Lottery eventually had to release her name on March 17, 2025. But Rosemary didn't want the spotlight. She skipped the press conferences. She didn't do the big "check-holding" photo op.
"She wishes to remain as private as possible," a lottery spokesperson said.
You can't blame her. When you win that kind of money, everyone you’ve ever met—and thousands you haven't—starts looking for a handout. It’s overwhelming. She chose the lump sum payment, which was valued at $571.5 million before federal taxes. That’s a huge haircut from the $1.3 billion headline figure, but it’s still more money than most families will see in ten generations.
The Tax Man and the Schools
Here is something kinda interesting about California lottery wins. Unlike many other states, California does not tax lottery winnings at the state level. That's a massive win. If she had won in New York or New Jersey, she would have lost another 8% to 10% right off the top.
However, Uncle Sam still gets his. The federal government takes a flat 24% immediately, and since she's in the highest tax bracket, she'll likely owe even more when she files her 2025 return—up to 37% total.
But it’s not all about the winner. This specific jackpot run was a goldmine for public education.
- $89 million was generated for California public schools.
- The store owners, Jaspal Singh and Ishar Gill, received a $1 million bonus just for selling the ticket.
- Over 842,000 other people won smaller prizes in that same drawing.
It’s easy to focus on the billionaire, but the "ripple effect" of a jackpot this size is actually pretty huge for the local economy.
Mega Millions $1.3b jackpot won by California player: The Aftermath
What happens now? Usually, the hype dies down, but the winner’s life is changed forever. In Rosemary's case, she took several months to come forward. This is actually the smart move. Experts always say: don't sign the ticket immediately (wait, actually, in CA you should sign it, but keep it in a safe), get a lawyer, get a financial advisor, and disappear for a while.
Most people think winning the lottery is the end of their problems. Statistics suggest it’s often just the beginning of new ones. There’s a "lottery curse" that people talk about, where winners go broke within a few years. But when you’re dealing with half a billion dollars in cash, you have to try really, really hard to spend it all.
How this compares to other big wins
California seems to be a magnet for these massive prizes.
- Edwin Castro: Won the $2.04 billion Powerball in Altadena (2022).
- Theodorus Struyck: Represented a group that won $1.76 billion in Frazier Park (2023).
- Yanira Alvarez: Claimed a $1.08 billion Powerball prize in Los Angeles (2024).
It’s almost weird how often these billion-dollar tickets end up in California. Some people think the game is rigged, but it's really just math. California has the highest population in the U.S. More people mean more tickets sold. More tickets sold mean a higher statistical probability that the winner will be from the West Coast.
Lessons for the Rest of Us
You’re probably not going to win the next one. Sorry. But seeing the Mega Millions $1.3b jackpot won by California player tells us a few things about how to handle sudden wealth—or even just regular financial planning.
First, anonymity is a luxury. If you live in a state like California, you need a plan for when your name goes public. Rosemary's strategy of staying away from the cameras was the best she could do under the circumstances.
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Second, the "Lump Sum vs. Annuity" debate is real. Most people take the cash. Why? Because $571 million today is worth more than $1.3 billion spread over 30 years if you know how to invest it. Plus, who knows what tax laws will look like in 2050?
Finally, remember that the lottery is a "voluntary tax." It’s fun to dream, but it's not a retirement plan. The money that goes into the lottery does help schools, though, so at least your $2 "investment" is buying some textbooks somewhere.
If you ever find yourself holding a winning ticket of any size, the very first thing you should do is stay quiet. Don't post it on Facebook. Don't tell your neighbor. Call a reputable tax attorney and a fiduciary financial advisor. You want people who are paid to protect your interests, not people who are looking for a piece of the pie. Rosemary Casarotti did it right: she took her time, she stayed out of the press, and she protected her peace.
To stay prepared for future draws or to manage your own windfall, you should familiarize yourself with the California Lottery's "Winner’s Handbook," which outlines the exact steps for claiming prizes over $600. It's also worth setting up a dedicated, high-security bank account before the funds ever hit your traditional checking. Keeping your circle small is the only way to navigate the "new friends" that inevitably appear when nine zeros are attached to your name.