As the Mega Millions® Jackpot Keeps Jumping – California Lottery Players Can Look to the Past for Inspiration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2025
As the Mega Millions® Jackpot Keeps Jumping – California Lottery Players Can Look to the Past for Inspiration
SACRAMENTO – The excitement continues to grow as the stakes climb higher, with tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot at an estimated $680 million – already on the top 10 list as the game’s ninth largest ever top prize. As the prize pot grows, each ticket purchased does more than create the chance for a lifechanging win. It also helps fund critical resources for California’s public schools.
Since selling the very first ticket in 1985, the California Lottery has generated more than $48 billion for education, supporting teachers, students, and classrooms from kindergarten through college.
As everyone dreams of matching all six numbers, here are a few unforgettable stories to provide even more inspiration:
Yadira Muñoz – A $2.15 Million Win Just in Time Yadira Muñoz nearly missed her chance at a life-changing prize. Her ticket matched five numbers but missed the Mega number. Yet thanks to California’s pari-mutuel payout system, which means none of the prizes are fixed, her second-place prize was $2.15 million – more than double what it would have been in other states.
Steve Tran – “I’m Not Coming In Today, Tomorrow, or Ever” In one of the more memorable moments of the California Lottery, Steve Tran discovered he had one of two winning tickets for a $648 million Mega Millions jackpot in December 2013. Weeks after the drawing, Tran found the forgotten ticket while cleaning out his car and realized his life was about to change forever. His now-famous call to his boss summed up his disbelief and joy, “I’m really sorry, boss. I hit the jackpot. I don’t think I’m going to come in today, tomorrow, or ever.”
Amalia Navarro – A Million-Dollar Surprise in Van Nuys Amalia Navarro’s routine stop at D & K Liquor in Van Nuys turned into a million-dollar moment. Her ticket for a draw in 2024 matched five numbers, earning her $1,058,180. Navarro’s win was one of the year’s standout second-tier prizes and a reminder that big wins can come from everyday places.
Michael Chavez – A Text Message That Changed Everything For Michael Chavez, election night in November 2024 took an unexpected turn. Focused on the national results, Chavez hadn’t even checked his Mega Millions ticket until a co-worker jokingly texted, “Did you win the million?” That friendly nudge led Chavez to discover that he had, in fact, matched five numbers, winning $1,214,818. The ticket came from Lake Liquor in Tulare County, which earned a $6,000 bonus for selling the lucky ticket. “The moment was unforgettable,” Chavez told the California Lottery at the time. “I was completely shocked and extremely grateful.”
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The mission of the California Lottery is to raise additional funding for public education, helping to supplement school budgets for K-12 as well as colleges and universities. The California Lottery has raised more than $48 billion for public schools through the responsible sale of its games since 1985. Lottery funding for schools is largely discretionary, so administrators and educators can use Lottery money for instructional programs and services they may not otherwise afford. The California Lottery features eight draw games and dozens of new instant Scratchers games each year. More than 95% of California Lottery sales revenue goes back to the community in the form of prize payments, retailer commissions and bonuses, and contributions to education. More information about who benefits can be found here. As jackpots rise, the California Lottery would like to remind players that ambling should be fun. Borrowing money to play, spending above a person’s budget, or using money intended for other purposes can ultimately lead to significant problems for players and their families. If a player recognizes that they have a gambling problem or if someone knows of someone who may have a problem, the Lottery recommends calling the California Problem Gambling Help Line at 1-800-GAMBLER.
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