SACRAMENTO, August 5, 2005 -- Lottery officials announced the SuperLOTTO Plus® jackpot for Saturday, August 6, 2005 has rolled to $55 million. “Lotto Fever in California is officially here,” said Lottery Acting Director Chon Gutierrez. “This Saturday’s $55 million jackpot matches the recent heat wave in California – RED-HOT!” Californians are thinking of ways to splurge if they hit the jackpot Saturday, like purchasing the Blue Lagoon Island in Fiji – its actually up for sale at $25 million.
A single jackpot winner of $55 million choosing annual payments would receive the first payment being approximately $1.375 million and the 26th payment being more than $2.8 million before federal taxes are withheld. The estimated cash value would equal roughly half of the jackpot or $27.5 million, the amount the Lottery would invest to payout the jackpot prize over 26 years.
On February 16, 2002, the record-breaking jackpot in California Lottery history reached $193 million and was won by 3 winning tickets purchased in Montebello, Orange and Half Moon Bay. Alcario Castellano of San Jose, California made Lottery history when he became the record-breaking highest individual jackpot winner of $141 million on June 23, 2001.
SuperLOTTO Plus can be played at approximately 18,000 retail business establishments around California. 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.