California Lottery Stores Emerge as Jackpot Hotspots

The Golden State ranks 4th nationwide for lottery wins per capita, with several stores earning legendary reputations.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:25pm

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A highly stylized, abstract grid of brightly colored lottery tickets in neon shades of blue, green, and pink, conceptually representing the excitement and allure of California's lottery culture.Lottery fever has gripped California, with certain stores emerging as jackpot hotspots that have sold some of the state's biggest winning tickets.Hawthorne Today

A new analysis of historical Powerball and Mega Millions jackpot data through 2025 found California to be one of the top states for lottery wins per capita, ranking 4th nationwide. The state has produced some jaw-dropping lottery lore, with several stores near-mythical reputations for selling winning tickets, including Joe's Service Center in Altadena, Bluebird Liquor in Hawthorne, Midway Market & Liquors in Frazier Park, Village Spirit Shoppe in Westlake Village, and Las Palmitas Mini Market in Los Angeles.

Why it matters

California's large population and consistent lottery wins have made it a hub for lotto luck, with certain stores developing legendary status among players. This highlights the enduring appeal of the lottery and the outsized impact a single winning ticket can have on a local community.

The details

According to the Vegas Now analysis, California logged 44 jackpot victories, with an average of 94.1 overall winners per year across Powerball and Mega Millions - translating to 24.2 wins per million residents. Some of the state's luckiest stores include Joe's Service Center in Altadena, which sold the largest Powerball jackpot in history at $2.04 billion, Bluebird Liquor in Hawthorne which has produced four $1 million-plus winners since 2013, Midway Market & Liquors in Frazier Park which sold the second-largest Powerball prize ever in 2023, Village Spirit Shoppe in Westlake Village which recently turned out a $50 million Super Lotto Plus winner, and Las Palmitas Mini Market in Los Angeles which sold a $1.04 billion Powerball-winning ticket in 2023.

  • In 2023, Midway Market & Liquors in Frazier Park sold the second-largest Powerball prize ever.
  • Also in 2023, Las Palmitas Mini Market in Los Angeles sold a $1.04 billion Powerball-winning ticket.
  • Earlier this year, Village Spirit Shoppe in Westlake Village sold a $50 million Super Lotto Plus winner, the biggest prize in the state so far in 2026.

The players

Joe's Service Center

A store in Altadena, California that sold the largest Powerball jackpot in history, a staggering $2.04 billion prize.

Bluebird Liquor

A store in Hawthorne, California that has earned a reputation as Los Angeles County's luckiest lotto hub, producing four tickets worth at least $1 million since 2013.

Midway Market & Liquors

A store in the Frazier Park area of Kern County, California that made headlines for selling the second-largest Powerball prize ever in 2023.

Village Spirit Shoppe

A store in Westlake Village, California that recently turned out a $50 million Super Lotto Plus winner, the biggest prize in the state so far in 2026.

Las Palmitas Mini Market

A store in Los Angeles, California that stunned players when it sold a $1.04 billion Powerball-winning ticket in 2023.

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The takeaway

California's status as a lottery hotspot, with several stores earning legendary reputations for selling winning tickets, highlights the enduring appeal of the lottery and the outsized impact a single winning ticket can have on a local community. This phenomenon speaks to the broader fascination with the lottery and the potential for life-changing windfalls, even in the face of long odds.