California Resident Wins $4.6 Million with California-Sold Mega Millions Ticket

Lucky ticket Sold in Tarzana Could Make Someone Nearly $5 million Richer

Tarzana, CA – A single Mega Millions ticket sold in Tarzana, California, is worth a staggering $4,607,223, the California Lottery announced late Friday. The winning ticket was purchased at Spirits World Liquor on Burbank Boulevard.

While no one matched all six numbers in Tuesday’s drawing for the $166 million jackpot, the Tarzana ticket is a notable win for one lucky individual. The winning numbers were: 2, 6, 8, 14, 49, with a Mega Ball of 12.

The jackpot for the next Mega Millions drawing, scheduled for Tuesday, August 12th at 8 p.m. ET, has now climbed to an estimated $182 million.

Lottery Winnings and Taxes: What to Expect

The prospect of a multi-million dollar lottery win is exhilarating,but understanding the tax implications is crucial. Lottery winnings are subject to both federal and, in many cases, state taxes. This means the actual amount a winner receives is considerably less than the advertised jackpot.

Winners typically have two options for receiving their prize: a lump-sum payment or an annuity. The annuity option distributes the winnings over 29 years, with one immediate payment followed by 28 annual installments. While this provides a steady income stream, it also means paying taxes on each installment over nearly three decades.The lump-sum option provides immediate access to a large sum of money, but it’s also fully taxable in the year it’s received. The exact amount withheld for taxes varies depending on federal and state tax brackets, as well as individual circumstances.

Understanding Lottery Tax Withholding

Federal tax withholding on lottery winnings over $5,000 is currently 24%. State taxes vary considerably.California, for example, has some of the highest state income tax rates in the nation, potentially reducing the take-home amount for the Tarzana winner by a substantial margin.

Beyond the Taxes: Financial Planning for Lottery Winners

Winning a large lottery prize presents unique financial challenges. Experts recommend that winners instantly assemble a team of qualified professionals, including a financial advisor, a tax attorney, and an estate planning lawyer.

Sound financial planning is essential to protect the winnings, manage taxes effectively, and ensure long-term financial security. Common advice includes avoiding large purchases, resisting pressure from family and friends, and investing wisely to preserve and grow the newfound wealth.

The California Lottery encourages all players to play responsibly. Information on responsible gaming can be found on their website.

What factors contribute to California’s consistent ranking as a top state for lottery wins?

California Resident Strikes Gold: $4.6 Million Mega Millions Win!

The Winning ticket Details

A lucky California resident is waking up significantly richer today after claiming a $4.6 million prize from the multi-state Mega Millions lottery. The winning ticket was sold at a retailer in California, though the exact location is currently being withheld to protect the winner’s privacy. This win marks a significant payout for a California lottery player and adds to the state’s impressive track record of Mega Millions success. The winning numbers for the August 10th, 2025 drawing were:[insertWinningNumbersHere-[insertWinningNumbersHere-Note: Replace wiht actual winning numbers].

Understanding the Mega Millions Jackpot

Mega Millions is a popular lottery game available in 47 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

How to Play: Players select five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25.

jackpot vs. Secondary Prizes: The jackpot starts at $20 million and grows until someone wins. However, there are also substantial secondary prizes for matching fewer numbers. This recent win falls into that secondary prize category.

Odds of Winning: The odds of winning the Mega millions jackpot are approximately 1 in 302.6 million. The odds of winning any prize are around 1 in 24.

California Lottery Statistics & Recent Wins

California consistently ranks among the top states for lottery wins. here’s a glimpse at some key statistics:

Prize Amounts: California lottery prizes are generally pari-mutuel, meaning the amount won depends on the number of winners and the total ticket sales.

Recent Jackpots: California has seen several large Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots claimed in recent years, contributing significantly to state funding.

Where to Buy Tickets: Lottery tickets are available at authorized retailers throughout California, including grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations.

What Happens Next for the Winner?

The California Lottery has procedures in place to ensure winners receive their prizes securely and with appropriate financial guidance.

Claiming the Prize: Winners have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim their prize.

Anonymity: California law allows lottery winners to remain anonymous, a feature increasingly valued by those seeking privacy.

Financial Planning: The Lottery strongly encourages winners to seek professional financial and legal advice before claiming their prize to manage their newfound wealth responsibly. This includes advice on taxes, investments, and estate planning.

Mega Millions Prize Breakdown (Approximate Odds & Payouts)

Here’s a quick look at the prize tiers and approximate odds:

1. Jackpot: 1 in 302.6 million
2. Match 5 + Mega Ball: 1 in 302.6 million
3. Match 5: 1 in 12.6 million
4. Match 4 + Mega Ball: 1 in 579,268
5. Match 4: 1 in 38,501
6. Match 3 + Mega Ball: 1 in 14,532
7. Match 3: 1 in 609
8. Match 2 + mega Ball: 1 in 628
9. Match 1 + Mega Ball: 1 in 89
10. Mega Ball Only: 1 in 24

(These odds and payouts are approximate and subject to change based on ticket sales and the number of winners.)

Responsible Lottery Play

While the dream of winning is exciting, it’s crucial to play responsibly.

Set a Budget: Decide how much you’re willing to spend on lottery tickets and stick to it.

Don’t Chase losses: Avoid buying more tickets in an attempt to recoup previous losses.

view it as Entertainment: Consider lottery tickets as a form of entertainment, not a financial investment.

* Resources for Problem Gambling: If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, resources are available. contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.

The History of “兆” and its Meaning

Interestingly,the term “Mega” in Mega Millions has a fascinating linguistic history. The web search result highlights that the unit “兆” (zh