Seven California Players Won $24 Million in Scratcher Games
The winners claimed top prizes from Instant Prize Crossword and Crossword Xtreme tickets.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Gambling
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Seven players across California collectively won $24 million from state lottery scratcher games in September 2026. The winners secured top prizes by matching criteria on Instant Prize Crossword and Crossword Xtreme tickets.
Why it matters
These significant payouts highlight the distribution of major winnings across diverse retail locations throughout the state. The results provide a substantial boost to the individual winners who purchased tickets at various local establishments.
Five players won $2 million each through Instant Prize Crossword, while two winners claimed $7 million each from Crossword Xtreme games. Current state lottery jackpots for Powerball, Mega Millions, and SuperLotto Plus stand at $409 million, $300 million, and $59 million respectively.
The players
California Lottery
This is the state agency responsible for managing and regulating lottery games, scratchers, and draw games for residents.
Arbi Amirian
He is one of the seven winners who purchased a lucky ticket in La Crescenta.
Christopher Gomez
He is a lottery winner who bought a ticket at a retail store in Visalia.
Darla Huddleston
She is one of the seven winners identified as having purchased a winning scratcher in Lathrop.
Maria Garcia Ruiz
She is a lucky player who claimed a prize after buying a ticket in Stockton.
The details
Winning tickets were sold at retailers including Foothill Gas Mart in La Crescenta, Circle 7 Liquor Store in Visalia, and Save Mart in Lathrop. Additional winners purchased their tickets at 7-Eleven locations in Stockton and Bakersfield, The Liquor Center in North Hollywood, and a Chevron in Chula Vista.
Timeline
The seven players won their prizes during September 2026.
Culture Shift
This wave of major wins aligns with the ongoing popularity of scratcher games within the California Lottery's scratcher game payout structure. These frequent, high-value distributions continue to fuel consumer participation in state-sponsored gambling despite the prominence of larger national draw jackpots.
These wins confirm that top-tier prizes are being claimed at various common retail stops, including gas stations and liquor stores throughout the state. Residents playing these games should verify their tickets at official lottery retailers to see if their own scratchers match the winning criteria.
The takeaway
While the allure of massive national draw jackpots remains high, scratcher games continue to produce significant multi-million dollar winners regularly. Players should always gamble responsibly and only participate in lottery games with funds they can afford to lose.
Further reading
For more information on state lottery trends, visit the California Gambling section.
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