Four Californians just turned routine errands into a multimillion-dollar moment, claiming a combined $5 million in California Lottery Scratchers prizes, lottery officials and local reporting show. The winners, one taking home $2 million and three others landing $1 million each, were announced on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, after buying their tickets at convenience stores and pharmacies across Los Angeles County and the Bay Area.
The biggest score went to Hermilo Ruiz, who claimed a $2 million prize after picking up a winning ticket at Valencia Liquor & Wine in Santa Clarita. The store will get a $10,000 bonus for selling the lucky ticket, according to Action News Now. Ruiz's haul was the largest payout among the four winners announced that day.
Lottery Dollars Head Back To Classrooms
The California Lottery says it has generated more than $48 billion for public schools since it launched in 1985, money school districts use for instructional programs, equipment and extracurricular activities, according to the Lottery's Who Benefits page. The agency notes that most revenue flows back into communities through prizes, retailer compensation and education funding as part of its long-running mission.
Who Else Won Big, And Where They Got Their Tickets
The three other newly minted millionaires each claimed $1 million: John Tyree at a CVS pharmacy on Hawthorne Boulevard in Hawthorne, Rajinder Singh at San Martin Market in San Martin, and Feng Chuan Ko at BDS Snacks in Daly City, according to Action News Now. Together, the four winners account for $5 million in Scratchers prizes claimed and announced this week.
What It Takes To Claim A Winning Ticket
Winners of Scratchers top prizes have to file a claim form, and prizes of $600 and above can be claimed at a California Lottery District Office. The Lottery's claim guide lays out the steps and timelines for prize claims. Scratchers prizes generally must be claimed within 180 days of a game's announced end date, and winners are urged to sign the back of their tickets and follow the Lottery's instructions to avoid processing delays, per the California Lottery.
