San Francisco, CA – Two lucky lottery players from the Bay Area narrowly missed claiming the staggering $1 billion Powerball jackpot this past Saturday night. However, both still walked away as millionaires, each winning impressive prizes for matching the first five numbers of the draw.
The California Lottery revealed that tickets sold in Milpitas and Pleasant Hill matched the first five numbers, earning each holder a substantial prize of $1.16 million. Despite falling short of the jackpot, these wins are among the largest prizes won in the state’s recent lottery history.
Where the Million-Dollar Tickets Were Sold
The winning ticket from Milpitas was purchased at a 7-Eleven on Clearlake Avenue, while the Pleasant Hill winner got their ticket from a Mobil gas station on Oak Park Boulevard. The numbers drawn Saturday night were 3, 18, 22, 27, 33, with the red Powerball being 17.
No ticket matched all six numbers nationwide, resulting in the jackpot soaring to an estimated $1.1 billion for Monday’s Labor Day drawing. This amount would mark the fifth-largest Powerball prize in history.
Powerball Prizes Across California and Nationwide
Across the country, nine tickets matched all five white balls, each earning a million-dollar prize. Four of those winners were from California. Due to California’s pari-mutuel prize system, these winners receive approximately $1,165,399 each.
- Over 696,837 winning tickets were sold in California on Saturday.
- Prizes varied from small amounts to seven figures.
- The Powerball jackpot has been accumulating since May 31, when a California ticket won for $206 million.
Upcoming Jackpot and Player Choices
The looming Monday drawing offers hopeful players a chance to claim the enormous jackpot, with a choice between the full annuitized prize of $1.1 billion or a lump sum payout of $498.4 million, both before taxes.
Encouraging Responsible Play
Lottery officials remind players to engage in responsible gaming. Free, confidential support is available by calling 800-426-2537 or visiting 800gambler.chat.
“We congratulate the winners, but we also urge players to play responsibly,” said a California Lottery spokesperson. “Support services are available to help anyone who may need assistance with gambling concerns.”
What Do These Wins Mean for Bay Area Players?
These multi-million dollar prizes highlight the exciting potential for large winnings in the Powerball lottery, especially as the jackpot continues to climb. Winning $1.16 million assures life-changing opportunities, even without hitting the elusive jackpot.
Key takeaways for lottery players:
- Matching the first five numbers is life-altering, awarding over a million dollars.
- Jackpot prizes can quickly balloon when no one wins consecutively.
- Buying tickets in the Bay Area can lead to substantial rewards.
- Responsible play remains critical to ensure lottery remains fun.