Sold a $543M Mega Millions ticket on 2018-07-24.
Ernie's Liquor has sold a winning Mega Millions ticket, but that history says nothing about the ticket in your pocket — every draw is independent, and this store's odds on the next ticket are identical to those of any other licensed retailer in CA. If you do have a winner, here's what actually determines your payout.
CA does not withhold state tax on lottery winnings. California specifically exempts lottery winnings from state income tax by statute — you'll still owe federal tax. Federal withholding of 24% still applies to prizes over $5,000. On privacy, winner identity is public record in California: California does not offer statutory anonymity; winner name and city become public record.
Sign the back of the ticket right away — that alone establishes you as the owner if it's ever lost or disputed. Small prizes can typically be cashed at Ernie's Liquor itself or any other licensed retailer in CA; larger prizes and any jackpot-tier win require an in-person visit to an official California Lottery claim center with the signed ticket and a valid photo ID. Take a photo and a photocopy of the signed ticket before you go, and hold off on any big decisions — lump sum vs. annuity, who to tell, whether to bring in a financial advisor — until you've had a few days to think it through.
Ernie's Liquor in San Jose, CA has sold 1 major lottery winning ticket worth $543.0M combined, according to LotteryMap's tracked win records.
No. Every ticket for a given game has identical odds no matter where it's purchased. A store's past winning history reflects ticket volume and chance, not a higher probability of future wins.
Ernie's Liquor is located at 2808 S White Rd, San Jose, CA 95148, San Jose, CA.