A Stanislaus County man is $15 million richer, thanks to a lucky lottery ticket.
Gary Cooksey hit the top prize for the 40 Years of Play! Scratchers game in Stanislaus County, according to California State Lottery officials.
Scratchers players from Fullerton, San Bernardino and Moreno Valley also won big, lottery officials said in a Friday, Dec. 12, news release.
“Big winners represent only a portion of the incredible stories that have shaped the California lottery over the past 40 years,” lottery officials said in the release.
“Throughout 2025, the California lottery has been celebrating a milestone year, marking four incredible decades of raising supplemental funding for public schools,” the release said.
Here’s what you need to know about where the lucky lottery ticket was sold in Stanislaus County:
Katherine Rodriguez, left, and Juliana Shea help a customer at the Arco AM-PM mini-mart on McHenry Avenue at Rumble Road on Christmas Day afternoon. Deke Farrow jfarrow@modbee.com
Where was winning lottery ticket sold in Stanislaus County?
Cooksey bought the $15 million winning ticket at ampm, 12725 Yosemite Blvd. in Waterford, according to the California State Lottery.
Waterford is roughly 13 miles east of Modesto.
Scratch-off lottery tickets are popular playing options among states that have a lottery. karenfoleyphotography Getty Images/iStockphoto
Where were other winning tickets sold in California?
Along with Cooksey, three other lucky Scratchers recently scored wins of $2 million or more in California.
Carlos Herrera won $2 million playing an Instant Prize Crossword Scratchers ticket purchased at Fullerton Wine & Spirit, 416 South Harbor Blvd. in Fullerton.
Bruno Chavez also hit the $2 million top prize on an Instant Prize Crossword Scratchers he purchased at the 7-Eleven at 2908 North Waterman Ave. in San Bernardino.
Wendy Benitez claimed $5 million playing a Cash King Scratchers ticket from Moreno Liquor, 23896 Sunnymead Blvd. in Moreno Valley.
“From a stellar $15 million win with the commemorative 40 Years of Play game to the extra fun winning $2 million with the fan-favorite play of a crossword Scratchers, these players took home the big prize,” lottery officials said in the release.
Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.
What do you want to know about life in Modesto? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@modbee.com.
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Angela Rodriguez
The Modesto Bee
Angela Rodriguez is a service journalism reporter for The Bee. She is a graduate of Sacramento State with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. During her time there, she worked on the State Hornet covering arts and entertainment.
