The Lotto Matrix: Big Mega And Straight Cash For A Texas Homie

How much is Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot drawing worth? Our “Grown Man” continues to climb the jackpot ladder as Friday’s $625 million prize is on the cusp of Mega Millions’ all-time top 10. Those seeking immediate gratification can exercise the cash option for $288.8 million.

After a quiet Friday night drawing when no one matched all five numbers without the Mega Ball, tickets sold for Tuesday night’s drawing in Arizona and Texas turned the trick for $2 million paydays.

Tuesday was also a high-volume night for tickets with four numbers and the Mega Ball, with 15 combinations paying out a total of $410,000. That was the most since 17 such tickets were sold for the Sept. 5 drawing.

There have been 31 drawings since a player in Virginia matched all numbers for the $348 million jackpot June 27.

How much is Saturday’s Powerball jackpot drawing worth? Ladies and gentleman, we have a “Big Boy” amongst us with Powerball offering a $295 million jackpot. The cash option is also healthy at $138.1 million.

Last week’s three drawings minted six millionaires who matched five numbers without the Powerball. Georgia and Illinois claimed two winners each in last Saturday night’s drawing. Wednesday night’s drawing provided the other two winning tickets sold in Florida and Kentucky.

Overall, it was a good week for Powerball players as the other second-tier prizes that came with matching four numbers and the Powerball totaled $3.35 million for 52 tickets. Eleven of those had the Power Play option ticked, with Wednesday’s three winners picking up $150,000 each thanks to the 3x.

There have been 17 rollovers since the Sept. 6 drawing worth $1.787 billion — the second-largest in U.S. jackpot lottery history — was split by winners in Missouri and Texas.

Speaking of that Texas winner …

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, in its first notable action since replacing the since-disbanded Texas Lottery, announced Monday that Seven Bridges Revocable Trust of Fredericksburg, Texas, secured the other half of that $1.787 billion prize. That winner, like their Missouri counterpart, picked the cash option and secured a $410 million payday.

According to a representative of the Seven Bridges Revocable Trust, the winner chose their own numbers on that day, selecting numbers of personal importance to them — but made a (fortunate) mistake on one and picked a number they didn’t intend to use.

“We’re excited to celebrate this milestone with the claimant of the largest jackpot prize in Texas Lottery history,” Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Executive Director Courtney Arbour said in a release. “This record-setting prize shows that any Texas Lottery ticket could be the next big winner, all while helping to generate vital funding for public education and veterans’ services right here in Texas.”

Why would you (allegedly) do that?

A multiple-agency investigation in California has led to the arrest of a person who authorities believe is responsible for a years-long burglary spree targeting small businesses to steal lottery tickets.

The Camarillo Police Department Investigations Bureau, the Los Angeles Police Department, and investigators with the Lottery’s Security and Law Enforcement Division identified Raul Jr. Najera as the primary suspect in multiple burglaries from July 2024 to July 2025. A total of five burglaries were reported in Camarillo and Thousand Oaks that resulted in thousands of stolen lottery tickets.

The tickets would then be redeemed in Los Angeles within hours of when the robberies took place. Investigators said they were able to identify Najera as one of the suspecta via investigative tools and evidence acquired.

“Our law enforcement teams worked closely with local and state partners to identify and apprehend the suspect in this case,” said California Lottery spokeswoman Carolyn Becker in a statement. “Their collective, thorough investigative work underscores our commitment to the security of our retailers and players, as well as their dedication to our mission.

“We are proud to stand with law enforcement in holding accountable those who attempt to undermine that trust. Our commitment to transparency, security, and integrity remains unwavering.”

Elvis has entered the building

Peter Woloshyn of Spruce Grove, Alberta, had a grand way to say “Thank you very much” to the Western Canada Lottery Corporation Prize Centre: He showed up dressed like Elvis Presley.

Woloshyn had a $1 million CAD winning ticket from the Aug. 15 Lotto Max. When it came time to pick up his winnings, he called and inquired about a dress code. That’s when the idea came about to dress up like “The King.”

“They said … that I just couldn’t wear a disguise,” he recounted to WCLC officials about the dress code rules. “So, I talked with my son and his girlfriend and got them to order me an Elvis costume to wear!” 

Woloshyn (pictured above; photo by the WCLC) said he plans on sharing some of his winnings with his children and will put the rest toward retirement.

Newsworthy nuggets

Woo Pig Sooie, get that prize! The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery is reporting a winning ticket was sold for Wednesday night’s drawing worth more than $1.3 million. The winning ticket was sold at a Casey’s in Fort Smith, which is right on the Arkansas-Oklahoma border.

The prize was the third-largest in ASL history according to state officials, trailing only the $5.123 million jackpot claimed earlier this year and $2.338 million drawing won in 2023.

This is how Skynet became self aware: The Michigan Lottery is reporting one of the second-tier Powerball prize winners used ChatGPT to select her numbers. Tammy Carvey of Wyandotte usually does not play Powerball until the jackpot swells, and once it crossed $1 billion, she turned to AI to help out.

“I only play Powerball when the jackpot gets up there and the jackpot was over $1 billion so I bought a ticket,” said Carvey. “I asked ChatGPT for a set of Powerball numbers and those are the numbers I played on my ticket.

“When I checked the winning numbers, I saw I matched four white balls and the Powerball and knew I had to have won something. Google told me it was a $50,000 prize, so that’s what I thought I’d won. It wasn’t until I logged into my Michigan Lottery account that I realized I added the Power Play to my ticket and actually won $100,000! My husband and I were in total disbelief.”

Carvey plans on paying off her mortgage and then saving the balance.

Who has the biggest active individual state lotto jackpot in the land? Well, thanks to the California Lottery grand prize being won Wednesday, there is a shake-up in the top five for the first time in four weeks.

Texas still leads all as Saturday’s jackpot is worth $67 million with a cash option of $37.6 million. New Jersey climbs a rung to no. 2 as its top prize is up to $20.7 million (cash option $9.69 million) following a 56th consecutive drawing without a winner dating back to May 22.

Michigan and Ohio also moved up one notch, with the Wolverine State completing the podium spots at $15.4 million, and the Buckeye State offering $9.3 million. Arizona enters the top five this weekend as The Pick has an $8.6 million jackpot up for grabs.

The multi-state Lotto America, meanwhile, is offering a $5.01 million jackpot Saturday night with a cash option of $2.34 million available.

Until next week, dream big, check your numbers, keep your tickets where you can find them, and play responsibly!