A Los Angeles man won a $1,478,686 Powerball prize after leaving the winning ticket inside his car cupholder for two days, California Lottery officials announced. Amos Tillet matched all five white ball numbers in the August 10 drawing, missing only the red Powerball number.
Tillet purchased $20 worth of Quick Pick plays at a 7-Eleven store located on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles when the advertised jackpot was approaching $1 billion. During the transaction, the store clerk asked Tillet why he was spending only $20 given the size of the top prize.
“I told the guy, ‘Man, I’ll be happy with a million,'” Tillet told California Lottery officials. “Sure enough, kind of what I ended up with.”
After leaving the store, Tillet put the paper ticket in his vehicle’s cupholder and forgot about it. Two days later, a friend visiting Tillet’s house asked him to retrieve an item from the car. While walking back from the vehicle, Tillet noticed the Powerball slip and brought it inside to check the winning numbers.
When Tillet scanned the Quick Pick ticket, the terminal displayed the payout notification. Unsure of the display, he scanned the slip a second time to confirm the result.
“I ran around the living room and, I kind of like, fell out in joy,” Tillet said.
The winning numbers drawn on August 10 were 6, 37, 54, 55, and 64, with red Powerball 10. Tillet matched 6, 37, 54, 55, and 64 to win California’s match-5 prize pool.
Why California Powerball second-tier payouts differ from other states
In most participating U.S. jurisdictions, matching five white balls without the Powerball awards a fixed second-tier prize of $1,000,000. However, California law dictates that all lottery prize tiers must be calculated on a pari-mutuel basis.
Pari-mutuel payouts are determined by total ticket sales volume and the exact number of winning tickets sold for that draw. Because ticket sales surged ahead of the August 10 drawing due to the near-billion-dollar jackpot, California’s match-5 prize pool expanded to $1,478,686 for Tillet’s single winning ticket.
Powerball mechanics and odds breakdown
Powerball drawings take place three times each week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. To play, participants select five numbers from a main set of 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26. Players reviewing entry rules can consult our Powerball ticket guide for structural details.
The overall odds of winning any prize in a Powerball drawing are 1 in 24.87. The odds of matching five white balls without the Powerball are 1 in 11,688,053. Players analyzing prize distributions and ticket results across draws can track past Powerball winning numbers in our result archive.
| Match Category | Standard US Prize | California Prize Structure | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 White Balls + Powerball | Jackpot (Annuity / Cash) | Jackpot (Annuity / Cash) | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| 5 White Balls | $1,000,000 (Fixed) | Pari-mutuel (e.g., $1,478,686) | 1 in 11,688,053 |
| 4 White Balls + Powerball | $50,000 (Fixed) | Pari-mutuel | 1 in 913,129 |
| 4 White Balls | $100 (Fixed) | Pari-mutuel | 1 in 36,525 |
How to purchase tickets and player options
Powerball tickets are available at authorized retail locations across 45 state jurisdictions, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands for $2 per play. In states where courier platforms operate under state oversight, players can use digital services to secure official entries.
Players checking digital access can compare the best online lottery platforms or select services to order Powerball tickets online through licensed courier services where state regulations allow.
International lottery participants and out-of-state visitors can review our guide on international Powerball tax and eligibility rules alongside general Powerball rules and guide requirements to understand cross-border claim mechanics.
California claim rules and tax withholdings
In California, winners holding match-5 Powerball tickets have 180 days from the drawing date to submit their claim to state lottery headquarters. Jackpot winners have up to one full year from the draw date to claim top prizes.
Prizes over $600 must be claimed through official California Lottery claim centers or by certified mail. Unlike many other states, California does not assess state income tax on lottery winnings. However, mandatory federal tax obligations still apply to all major prizes:
- 24% mandatory federal tax withholding for U.S. citizens and legal residents on prizes over $5,000.
- Up to 37% top federal marginal income tax rate applied upon annual filing depending on overall taxable income.
- 30% federal tax withholding for non-U.S. resident claimants unless modified by bilateral international tax treaties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do California Powerball winners have to claim secondary prizes?
Winners holding second-tier Powerball tickets matching five white balls in California have 180 days from the drawing date to submit a claim. Jackpot winners have up to 365 days from the draw date.
Why did the Los Angeles winner receive $1.47 million instead of $1 million?
California law mandates that all lottery prize tiers be calculated on a pari-mutuel basis. Payouts fluctuate based on total ticket sales and winner counts, leading to higher or lower amounts than standard fixed state prizes.
Does California tax Powerball winnings at the state level?
No. California is one of the few participating states that does not tax lottery winnings under state personal income tax regulations, though federal income tax withholdings still apply to all major winnings.
Play responsibly. Lottery is a form of entertainment, not investment.
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