The allure of striking it rich with a lottery ticket captivates millions, and the stories behind the winners are equally fascinating. From Edwin Castro’s monumental $2.04 billion Powerball win to Rosemary Casarotti’s Mega Millions jackpot, these individuals represent the ultimate dream come true. This article delves into the world of billion-dollar lottery winners, highlighting the lucky individuals, the stores that sold the winning tickets, and the sheer magnitude of these life-changing prizes.
As of Labor Day, September 1, 2025, the Powerball jackpot has crossed the billion-dollar mark, marking another significant moment in lottery history. With Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots reaching unprecedented heights, it’s worth exploring the history of these massive wins and the impact they have on the winners and their communities.
Join us as we explore the biggest lottery jackpots, the winners who claimed them, and the intriguing details that make these stories so compelling. From Publix stores in Florida to Kroger locations in Michigan, we’ll uncover the locations that have become synonymous with lottery luck.
The Rise of Billion-Dollar Jackpots
The phenomenon of billion-dollar lottery jackpots is relatively recent, with the first occurring in 2016. Since then, the frequency of these massive prizes has increased, particularly in recent years. 2023 saw four billion-dollar lottery jackpots, and 2024 had three. This trend reflects the increasing popularity of lottery games and the growing potential for life-changing wins.
The next Powerball drawing on Monday, Sept. 1, marks the first time in 2025 a lottery crossed the billion-dollar mark. Compared to previous years, it’s an interesting phenomenon: 2023 saw four billion-dollar lottery jackpots, and there were three billion-dollar totals in 2024.
Several factors contribute to the rise of these massive jackpots, including the increasing number of players, the larger prize pools, and the excitement generated by each rollover. As the jackpots grow, more people buy tickets, further fueling the prize money and creating a self-perpetuating cycle of excitement and anticipation.
Edwin Castro: The $2.04 Billion Powerball Winner
Edwin Castro holds the record for the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history, winning a staggering $2.04 billion Powerball prize in November 2022. Castro opted for a lump-sum payment of $997.6 million, becoming an instant multi-millionaire. His win captured the attention of the nation and solidified the Powerball lottery as a source of immense wealth.
The winning ticket was purchased in California, and Castro’s identity was revealed on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2023. His story serves as an inspiration for lottery players everywhere, demonstrating the potential for ordinary individuals to achieve extraordinary wealth through a single stroke of luck.
While Castro’s win is the largest, he’s not alone in the ranks of Powerball millionaires. Numerous other players have won substantial prizes, transforming their lives and pursuing their dreams with their newfound wealth.
Rosemary Casarotti: Mega Millions Winner
Rosemary Casarotti, a resident of a small town in California, claimed the $1.269 billion Mega Millions prize from the December 27, 2024 drawing. Casarotti opted for the lump sum, which was valued at more than $571 million after federal taxes. Her win highlights the life-changing potential of the Mega Millions lottery and the impact it can have on individuals and their communities.
The winning ticket was sold at a Circle K in Cottonwood, California, and the convenience store received a $1,000,000 bonus for selling the lucky ticket. Casarotti’s story is a testament to the power of luck and the ability of ordinary people to achieve extraordinary financial success.
Casarotti’s win came after three months of Mega Millions rollovers and grew from $20 million to a whopping $970 million. A Christmas Eve rollover led to the $1.22 billion Mega Millions drawing for Dec. 27, 2024.
Publix and Kroger: Lottery Hotspots
Several stores have gained notoriety for selling winning lottery tickets, including Publix and Kroger locations. These stores have become synonymous with lottery luck, attracting players from far and wide who hope to purchase their own winning ticket.
Two beachside Florida Publix stores sold a Powerball and Mega Millions ticket worth $1.58 billion, solidifying the store’s reputation as a lottery hotspot. Similarly, a Kroger grocery store in Novi, Michigan, sold a winning Mega Millions ticket worth $1.05 billion, further cementing the store’s place in lottery history.
The success of these stores in selling winning lottery tickets is likely due to a combination of factors, including their high visibility, convenient locations, and the excitement generated by the lottery itself. As more people purchase tickets at these stores, the likelihood of selling a winning ticket increases, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of lottery luck.
A Comprehensive List of Billion-Dollar Jackpots
As of Aug. 31, 2025, there have been 13 lottery jackpots that have reached or surpassed $1 billion. Only once has a jackpot surpassed $2 billion. These are the biggest lottery jackpots in U.S. history.
- $2.04 billion Powerball prize, Nov. 7, 2022, Edwin Castro of Altadena, California
- $1.73 billion Powerball prize, Oct. 11, 2023, Theodorus Struyck of California (ticket purchased at Midway Market in California)
- $1.586 billion Powerball prize, Jan. 13, 2016, Marvin and Mae Acosta of California, Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt of Florida, and John and Lisa Robinson of Tennessee
- $1.58 billion Mega Millions prize, Aug. 8, 2023, Saltines Holdings LLC of Miami, Florida
- $1.537 billion Mega Millions prize, Oct. 23, 2018, won by an anonymous player in South Carolina
- $1.348 billion Mega Millions prize, Jan. 13, 2023, LaKoma Island Investments, LLC, with the ticket purchased in Lebanon, Maine
- $1.337 billion Mega Millions prize, July 29, 2022, won by an anonymous partnership with a ticket purchased in Des Plaines, Illinois
- $1.326 billion Powerball prize, April 6, 2024, Cheng and Duanpen Saephan and Laiza Chao of Oregon
- $1.269 billion Mega Millions prize, Dec. 27, 2024, Rosemary Casarotti of Cottonwood, California
- $1.128 billion Mega Millions prize, March 26, 2024, won by an anonymous winner in New Jersey with the ticket purchased at ShopRite Liquor No. 781 in Neptune Township, New Jersey
- $1.10 billion Powerball prize, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025? TBD
- $1.08 billion Powerball prize, July 19, 2023, Yanira Alvarez of California
- $1.050 billion Mega Millions prize, Jan. 22, 2021, won by the Wolverine FLL Club of Oakland County, Michigan
The Enduring Appeal of Lottery Dreams
The stories of Edwin Castro, Theodorus Struyck, Rosemary Casarotti, and other billion-dollar lottery winners serve as a reminder of the enduring appeal of lottery dreams. The possibility of transforming one’s life with a single ticket continues to captivate millions, driving them to participate in the hopes of achieving extraordinary wealth.
From Publix stores in Florida to Kroger locations in Michigan, the stores that sell winning lottery tickets become symbols of lottery luck, attracting players from far and wide. The stories behind these wins are often as compelling as the jackpots themselves, providing a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people who have achieved extraordinary success.
As the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots continue to reach unprecedented heights, the allure of lottery dreams will likely endure, inspiring people to chase their own visions of wealth and prosperity. As the saying goes in the lottery business, “You can’t win if you don’t play,” and the stories of these billion-dollar winners serve as a testament to the power of luck and the potential for life-changing wins.
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