Rosemary Casarotti has made history as the sole winner of California’s largest Mega Millions jackpot, with the total surpassing $1.2 billion. On March 17, 2025, California Lottery officials announced the incredible news at the Sunshine Food and Gas Circle K located in Cottonwood, Shasta County, where the winning ticket was purchased.
Casarotti, who bought her ticket for the December 27, 2024, drawing, was the only person nationwide to correctly choose all six winning numbers. This monumental win not only changes her life but also contributes significantly to public education funding within California.
Lottery officials, including California Lottery Director Harjinder Shergill Chima, expressed their congratulations to Casarotti. "We offer Rosemary our heartfelt congratulations for her historic win and our gratitude for her part in supporting the California Lottery’s mission to provide extra money for public education in our state," he said during the announcement.
Although the jackpot winner declined to appear at the press conference, she communicated with lottery representatives on multiple occasions after her win. Carolyn Becker, spokesperson for the California Lottery, remarked, "I had the pleasure of speaking with Rosemary by phone following her win, and I can tell you with certainty how grateful she is and how happy she is to have won this money and to have supported public schools."
Opting for a lump-sum payout, Casarotti's prize is valued at over $571 million after federal taxes are deducted. This jackpot win will indirectly help fund California's public schools, contributing approximately $89.5 million to educational resources, as lottery proceeds are allocated to school funding.
The Circle K convenience store where the winning ticket was sold didn’t fare too shabby either, as it will receive the maximum retail bonus of $1 million for their role in selling the jackpot-winning ticket. Ishar Gill, whose family owns and operates the Circle K, shared the excitement of their customers over the lottery games. "It's exciting to see how much enthusiasm our customers have for the games. They love the chance to dream big, and this win added to the excitement around here," Gill stated, highlighting the positive community engagement surrounding the lottery.
This event is notable, especially as the California Lottery emphasizes its contribution to the state’s education system, with 95 cents of every dollar spent on lottery games going back to the community through prize payments and school funding.
The sheer scale of the jackpot brings to mind the dreams and aspirations tied to winning such vast sums, and it has undoubtedly added to the excitement of lottery participation across California. The community has rallied around the fortunate winner, eleving this lottery win to more than just financial gain—it signifies hope and support for public education, embodying the ethos of community and state support.
With this historic win, Casarotti joins the ranks of notable lottery winners, but she chooses to keep her personal details private, focusing instead on the positive change her win can bring. Her decision resonates with many who see the lottery as more than just luck; for many, it becomes about dreams fulfilled and futures funded.
Such extraordinary wins can uplift not only individual lives but also invigorate local economies, as retailers like the Circle K experience increased customer foot traffic and excitement from the lottery's broader engagement efforts.
Overall, the announcement of Rosemary Casarotti's win marks not just another milestone for the California Lottery, but also serves as a reminder of the impact of such games on the education of the state's children. It’s about making dreams come true—and sometimes, those dreams also help build brighter futures for others.
