California Lottery Retailer Transforms Lucky Win Into Community Gathering Hub

Neighborhood store turns bonus into a space for connection and play

SACRAMENTO (September 26, 2025) –

For George Kai, owner of Check ‘n’ Bottle at 1261 E Florence Ave in Los Angeles, selling California Lottery tickets has never been about the games. He says it’s about people and community – a concept bound to expand following a new big win for one of his customers.

“They love the vibes, they love the music, they love my customer service, they love my employees,” says Kai. “It’s a very good, very honest and very loyal community we have.” After this big win, Kai has big plans for his community gathering spot to show his appreciation.

Now, after his store just sold a top-prizewinning Scratchers® game worth $5 million, Kai is giving back to that same community. With the $25,000 bonus he got from selling the big winner, Kai says he will transform the Check ‘n’ Bottle parking lot into a new outdoor Lottery hub and gathering space.

This hub will offer neighbors a welcoming place to purchase California Lottery games, check results, and enjoy the excitement of play together. But Kai’s vision goes even further. He plans to host local food trucks, live entertainment, car nights, bike nights, and other neighborhood events – all designed to bring people together and celebrate the spirit of the community.

What began as a lucky win is now something more – a chance to turn good fortune into a lasting community space. The little store with the big lot on the corner of Hooper and Florence has a real connection to its customers. It’s a George Kai at his store Check ‘n’ Bottle in Los Angeles connection the owners are proud and appreciative to have.

A Community Connection Also Means Big Wins for Schools

Big winning prizes bring big excitement, and in California, public school students are big winners also. Every California Lottery ticket sold helps strengthen public education with money going straight into classrooms across the state.

The California Lottery’s commitment to education isn’t new. Since its creation in 1985, the California Lottery has generated billions for public schools statewide. To see how this funding is making a difference in California communities, these videos showcase various programs, all supported by Lottery funding.

About the California Lottery

The mission of the California Lottery is to raise additional funding for public education, helping to supplement school budgets for K-12 as well as colleges and universities. The California Lottery has raised more than $46 billion for public schools through the responsible sale of its games since 1985. Lottery funding for schools is largely discretionary, so administrators and educators can use Lottery money for instructional programs and services they may  not otherwise afford. The California Lottery features eight draw games and dozens of new instant Scratchers games each year. More than 95% of California Lottery sales revenue goes back to the community in the form of prize payments, retailer commissions and bonuses, and contributions to education. More information about who benefits can be found here. As jackpots rise, the California Lottery would like to remind players that ambling should be fun. Borrowing money to play, spending above a person’s budget, or using money intended for other purposes can ultimately lead to significant problems for players and their families. If a player recognizes that they have a gambling problem or if someone knows of someone who may have a problem, the Lottery recommends calling the California Problem Gambling Help Line at 1-800-GAMBLER.