KTLA

4 Southern California lottery players cash in millions on scratchers

The top of a Millionaire Maker scratcher is seen in an image from the California Lottery.

Lottery players in California have been cashing in big prizes on scratcher tickets recently, lottery officials said.

Seven players, including four in Southern California, have become multi-millionaires playing two of the more popular scratcher games, a Feb. 23 news release from the California Lottery stated.


The Millionaire Maker game lived up to its name for Hamid Abri, who won $5 million after buying a ticket at Jon’s Market on Sepulveda Boulevard in Van Nuys, the CA Lottery said.

A Millionaire Maker scratcher is seen in an image provided by the California Lottery.

Michael Herrick also cashed in, winning $2 million on that same game after buying a ticket further north in Danville.

Another popular scratchers game turned five more California Lottery players into instant millionaires. 

Instant Prize Crossword Scratchers tickets worth $2 million each were cashed in by Southern Californians in Compton, Los Angeles and Lynwood, according to the CA Lottery.

Winning $2 million tickets were also purchased in Fremont and San Leandro.

Meanwhile, the Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to $525 million for Tuesday’s drawing.

There have been 21 jackpot rollovers since someone last hit it in December of last year.