A dozen Californians turned $1 Fantasy 5 tickets into a combined haul of just under $1 million over ten days in April, with a single Westminster slip alone worth more than $600,000. The lucky plays came from liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets scattered from the Southland up to the Sierra, across drawings held between April 11 and April 20.
According to The Sacramento Bee, twelve Fantasy 5 tickets sold in that span added up to $992,456 in jackpots. The outlet pulled the tally from state draw records and reports from participating retailers.
Where the winning tickets were sold
The California Lottery‘s official draw pages show winning retailers spread across the map, from San Jose and Sacramento to La Puente and Tahoe City. Those records list a $605,089 top prize sold at T&K Liquor in Westminster. Other recent winning tickets were logged at Best Liquor in San Jose, Tony’s Liquor & Deli and Sheltams Books in Los Angeles, Liquor Hut Market in La Puente, and a Safeway in Tahoe City, among others.
How Fantasy 5 works and what to know
Fantasy 5 costs $1 per play, with a daily drawing held after the 6:30 p.m. sales cutoff. Matching all five numbers comes with odds of about 1 in 575,757, according to the California Lottery. The Lottery notes that winners have 180 days from the date of the draw to claim their prize. Winnings up to $599 can be cashed at retailers, while larger amounts must be claimed at a district office or by mail. The same guidance shows top prizes typically start between $60,000 and $80,000 and grow when there are no winners.
Retailers get a small cut
Shops that sell jackpot tickets do not walk away empty-handed. The Sacramento Bee reports that Fantasy 5 retailers receive a 0.5% sales bonus on top-prize tickets, a modest boost that often brings extra foot traffic and a little local buzz. The Bee also notes that winners are urged to sign the back of any winning ticket and follow the California Lottery’s claims instructions before heading to a district office or retailer.
If you think you won
If gambling is causing problems, the National Council on Problem Gambling offers a confidential helpline and resources at ncpgambling.org or by calling 1-800-522-4700. If you believe you are holding a winning ticket, sign it, keep it somewhere secure and double-check the official numbers on the Lottery’s website or mobile app before you start the claims process.