WINTER WEATHER DOESN’T DAMPEN EXCITEMENT -- SUPERLOTTO PLUS JACKPOT ROLLS TO $42 MILLION

03.01.2004
WINTER WEATHER DOESN’T DAMPEN EXCITEMENT -- SUPERLOTTO PLUS JACKPOT ROLLS TO $42 MILLION

SACRAMENTO, March 1, 2004 -- Lottery officials announced the estimated SuperLotto Plus jackpot for Saturday night's draw at $42 million. “The skies are going to clear up for someone if they win this jackpot," said Lottery CEO, Tony Molica.

A single jackpot winner of $42 million who chooses the 26 graduated annual payments would receive more than $1,050,000 the first year and those payments would graduate to more than $2,142,000 by the 26th year (before taxes). A single jackpot winner who chose the cash option would receive the estimated cash value which is roughly half the announced jackpot or about $21 million (before taxes). There is a 25% federal withholding. In the event of the death of a winner, the full prize is paid to the winner’s family or designee. 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 $210,000 for the retailer.

On February 16, 2002, the largest jackpot in California Lottery history reached $193 million and was won by 3 winning tickets from Orange, Half Moon Bay and Montebello. On June 23, 2001 the second 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.

SuperLotto Plus can be played at approximately 18,000 retail business establishments around the state. SuperLotto Plus tickets are $1 each. The SuperLotto Plus draw takes place each Wednesday and Saturday night at 7:58 p.m. Players can purchase tickets until 7:45 p.m. on the night of the draw.

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