Officials Waiting for O.C. Lotto Winner to Step Up

How often does a newly minted millionaire not claim a winning Lotto ticket on the first day of the announcement?

Often.

That’s what Lotto officials said Thursday as they waited for two winners to step up and claim ownership of Wednesday’s $8-million jackpot, to be split between them. One of the tickets was bought at Brookhouse Liquor in Orange and the other in La Canada Flintridge.

As of 5 p.m., when the California Lottery office closed, neither of the two winners had been in contact.

“Sometimes they take a day or two to come in,” said Norma Minas, spokeswoman for the California Lottery. “Lots of times, people don’t even have a chance to check their ticket. They leave them in their purse or their wallet and don’t look at them until later.”

Each winner will receive about $144,000 annually, for 20 years, after taxes.

The winning numbers are 5, 14, 30, 36, 38, 43.