Two residents of Anaheim, Southern California wound up millionaires this past weekend after winning big on scratch-off lottery tickets. Raul Reyes Arreola won $20 million playing the $30 "Set For Life" scratchers game, while Daniel Peramaki walked away with $5 million in winnings, as reported by ABC7 and KTLA.
Arreola's windfall makes him one of the largest winners to ever in California Lottery's history of scratchers games. He bought his lucky ticket from Big A Liquor in Anaheim. In an interesting twist, Peramaki -- known locally as the "King of the Scratchers" -- purchased his victorious Neon Cash Party ticket from Star Liquor on South State College Boulevard.
Long-term player Peramaki follows a unique approach, influenced by superstitious beliefs. He explained to KTLA, "If I, to scratch them right away, it’s a loser. I usually buy them, put them in my pocket, and wait." Notably, Peramaki opted to accept his $5 million prize as a lump sum payment of $2.9 million, foregoing the option of installments.
Additional Southern California residents also struck gold with lottery scratchers. Cheryl Nolan from Valencia won $5 million on a Premier 7's scratcher ticket, and James Holder from Rancho Santa Margarita claimed $2 million with an Instant Prize Crossword ticket. In the Central Valley, San Saelee bagged the top prize in the $1,000,000 California Road Trip Riches scratcher game, according to a separate KTLA article.
