SUPERLOTTO PLUS JACKPOT JUMPS TO $88 MILLION

09.05.2001
SUPERLOTTO PLUS JACKPOT JUMPS TO $88 MILLION
California Lottery Jackpot Largest in the Nation

SACRAMENTO, September 5, 2001 -- Lottery officials upped the SuperLotto Plus jackpot for tonight, September 5, 2001 to $88 million. "This jackpot is the fifth largest in our history," said Lottery Director Joan Wilson. "This jackpot is larger than any other lottery in the nation, including Powerball and The Big Game. In addition, California's public schools will receive almost $50 million from this jackpot alone."

A single jackpot winner of $88 million would receive 26 annual payments with the first payment equaling $2.2 million and the 26th payment being more than $4.48 million (before taxes). The estimated cash value would equal roughly half of the jackpot, $44 million or the amount the lottery would invest to payout the jackpot prize over 26 years. In the event of the death of a winner, the full prize is paid to the estate of the winner. A retailer who sells the winning ticket would receive 1/2 of 1% of the jackpot as a bonus for selling the winning ticket. A single winning ticket would yield $440,000 for the retailer.

The current jackpot of $88 million ties for fifth place in the top ten California Lottery jackpots. On August 16, 2000, Juanita Colla of San Francisco won $88 million at the Smoke Signals Shop. On June 23, 2001 the largest jackpot in California Lottery history reached $141 million and was won by a single winning ticket. Alcario Castellano of San Jose, California became the record-breaking highest individual jackpot winner of $141 million. On April 17, 1991, the second largest jackpot in California Lottery history reached $118.8 million and was won by 10 winning tickets and 54 winners. On April 8, 1998, the third largest jackpot in California Lottery history reached $104 million and was won by 3 winning tickets and 24 winners.

SuperLotto Plus can be played at more than 18,000 retail business establishments around the state. The SuperLotto Plus draw takes place each Wednesday and Saturday night at 7:58 p.m. Players may purchase tickets until 7:45 p.m. on the night of the draw.

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