SACRAMENTO, June 10, 2005 -- California Lottery officials announce that Rolando Gipulan claims his $44 million SuperLOTTO Plus jackpot prize, today at the Lottery’s Riverside District Office! He was well accompanied with over a dozen of his ecstatic family members!
“We are delighted that Mr. Gipulan, a loyal Lottery player for nearly 20 years, had this colossal win!” said Chon Gutierrez, Acting Director of the California Lottery. “Mr Gipulan’s dedication to playing $1 to $10 twice a week has paid off BIG…with him tying for Riverside’s largest lottery jackpot ever!” The other lucky Lottery player previously winning $44 million was Charles Bush in July 2004.
Gipulan is a married realtor who recently moved to Highlands from Oxnard just four months ago. His wife Norma has strongly advised him to keep their newly purchased house since with the house came the lucky streak that landed them $44 million. He plans on building a chapel in his native country and buying a new car, “nothing to extravagant, a Lexus would be just fine,” Gipulan said.
Gipulan selected the cash option which affords him $25,641,775.72 (before federal tax withholding of 25%). He also chose the quick pick option resulting in the winning numbers of 21, 24, 34, 40, 45 and MEGA 26. Also celebrating is the retailer who sold the winning ticket: Circle K Store at 3405 E Highland Avenue, in Highland, California. The commission for selling the winning SuperLOTTO Plus jackpot ticket is $220,000 or one-half of one percent of the jackpot.