Winning $2.3 million Powerball ticket sold in Southern California – KTLA

Lead

One Southern California ticket matched five of six Powerball numbers on Saturday night, awarding a prize of $2,323,527 after the Power Play 3x multiplier. The drawing left no jackpot winner for the $1.5 billion top prize, pushing the estimated Powerball jackpot to $1.6 billion for the next drawing on Monday, Dec. 22. The five-number winning ticket was sold at Wright’s Market, 2691 Ventura Blvd., in Oxnard. The winning numbers were 4, 5, 28, 52, 69 and a Powerball of 20.

Key Takeaways

• One Southern California ticket matched five white-ball numbers and won $2,323,527 after the 3x Power Play multiplier.
• No ticket matched all six numbers for the $1.5 billion jackpot; the next drawing is estimated at $1.6 billion on Monday, Dec. 22.
• Winning numbers: 4, 5, 28, 52, 69; Powerball: 20; Power Play: 3x.
• The SoCal winning ticket was sold at Wright’s Market, 2691 Ventura Blvd., Oxnard, Calif.
• Estimated lump-sum for the $1.60 billion annuity option is $735.3 million, both figures before taxes.
• Jackpot odds remain 1 in 292.2 million; overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9.
• This marks only the second time Powerball has had back-to-back jackpots above $1 billion; the other instance occurred in 2023.
• California’s 45 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner have generated over $100 million for public schools in the state.

Background

Powerball, a multi-state lottery game with drawings three nights a week, has produced several of the largest U.S. lottery prizes in recent years. When no single ticket matches all six numbers, the top prize rolls over and grows with ticket sales across participating states. That process has driven this prize pool to an estimated $1.6 billion for the Monday, Dec. 22 drawing, making it one of the largest in the game’s history.

California has frequently appeared in the list of largest winners: multiple historic jackpots were claimed in the state, and high rollovers generate significant ticket purchases nationwide. State lotteries, including the California Lottery, allocate portions of sales revenue to public programs—education being a prominent beneficiary—so large rollovers often coincide with increased funding flows to state budgets and school programs.

Main Event

Saturday night’s drawing produced the numbers 4, 5, 28, 52, 69 and Powerball 20, with a Power Play multiplier of 3x. While no ticket hit all six numbers to claim the advertised $1.5 billion jackpot, a single ticket sold in Oxnard matched the five white-ball numbers and—because the Power Play was purchased—returned a $2,323,527 prize.

The Oxnard ticket was sold at Wright’s Market, 2691 Ventura Blvd., a neighborhood retailer that has sold other large-prize tickets in past high-profile drawings. Store-level sales often spike when jackpots climb, and retailers can see a surge in customers buying tickets and related purchases on draw days.

The jackpot rollover means the estimated prize for Monday’s drawing will be $1.6 billion. Players who win that advertised annuity prize would receive an immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year; the alternative is a lump sum, estimated at $735.3 million before taxes.

Analysis & Implications

Large, consecutive rollovers change both the economics of play and public attention. A $1.6 billion advertised jackpot drives ticket purchases in many states, widening the revenue base that funds state programs. In California, officials note that extended rollovers have already funneled more than $100 million into public school programs from Powerball ticket sales during the current 45-drawing run without a jackpot winner.

For an individual winner, the choice between annuity and lump-sum shapes tax planning and long-term financial strategy. The annuity spreads payments across 30 years with a structured 5% annual increase, which can provide steady income and inflation protection; the lump sum offers immediate liquidity but typically at a substantially lower pre-tax amount, here estimated at $735.3 million.

At the public-policy level, huge jackpots generate political and social scrutiny. Advocates point to increased funding for schools and local projects, while critics caution about the regressive nature of lottery participation and unpredictable revenue streams. State budgets that depend on lottery receipts must treat such inflows as volatile rather than recurring revenue.

Comparison & Data

The table places the upcoming estimated $1.6 billion prize in context among the largest U.S. lottery jackpots across Powerball and Mega Millions. Historically, California has been the site of multiple record-setting wins, and rollovers of this size can reshape short-term sales patterns and media attention.

Reactions & Quotes

Lottery officials emphasized the public-benefit aspect of ticket sales during extended rollovers, noting the funds directed to education programs.

“Every California Lottery game sold contributes to the Lottery’s mission of raising extra money for California’s public schools.”

California Lottery (official statement)

Officials also reiterated how prize payments are structured to inform potential winners about payout options and timelines.

“Annuity winners receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5 percent each year.”

Powerball (official rules)

Local retailers report higher foot traffic during major rollovers, with shoppers buying tickets alongside other goods. That boost can be significant for small businesses serving neighborhoods where large-prize tickets are sold.

Unconfirmed

• No public record yet confirms the identity of the $2,323,527 winner or whether the ticket has been claimed.
• It is not confirmed whether the Oxnard ticket buyer will choose the annuity or lump-sum option; that decision is usually announced only after the claim is filed.
• Exact allocation details for the reported $100 million-plus raised for California public schools during the 45-drawing run have not been itemized publicly in this report.

Bottom Line

Saturday’s drawing produced a large secondary prize—a $2,323,527 winner in Oxnard—while leaving the top prize to roll to an estimated $1.6 billion for Monday, Dec. 22. The event underscores how rollovers can concentrate attention on specific retailers and generate substantial funds for state programs, particularly education in California.

For individuals, the choice between annuity and lump sum remains consequential; each option has distinct tax and planning implications. For policymakers and budget planners, large but infrequent lottery windfalls should be treated as volatile revenues, useful for one-time programs but unreliable for ongoing obligations.

Sources

• KTLA (local news report)
• California Lottery (official agency)
• Powerball (official game rules and information)