Four California Lottery Scratchers players across the state are celebrating big wins in 2025, collectively taking home $24 million in prizes, lottery officials announced Friday.
The winners — from Fullerton, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley and Waterford — are part of what the California Lottery calls a milestone year, marking its 40th anniversary of raising supplemental funding for public schools.
Two of the winners scored $2 million each playing Instant Prize Crossword Scratchers.
One winner, named Carlos Herrera (not to be confused with the KTLA reporter Carlos Herrera), won his prize after purchasing a ticket at Fullerton Wine & Spirit on South Harbor Boulevard, while another winner, Bruno Chavez, claimed his $2 million top prize with a ticket bought at a 7-Eleven on North Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino, according to the California Lottery.
In Riverside County, Wendy Benitez of Moreno Valley won $5 million playing a Cash King Scratchers ticket purchased at Moreno Liquor on Sunnymead Boulevard, lottery officials said.
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The largest prize went to Gary Cooksey, who won $15 million from the commemorative 40 Years of Play! Scratchers game. The winning ticket was sold at an ampm in Waterford, in Stanislaus County.
Lottery officials said the big wins represent just a portion of the impact the California Lottery has had over the past four decades. Since its launch, the Lottery has directed billions of dollars toward California public schools, funding classroom resources, technology upgrades and career training programs for students from kindergarten through college.
Every Lottery ticket sold contributes to education statewide. An interactive map showing how Lottery funds are distributed to local school districts is available at the California Lottery’s website, along with audited financial reports and videos highlighting how schools use the funding.
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