California offers a variety of lottery games for residents and visitors to play. The California Lottery began in 1984 after voters passed Proposition 37 to authorize a state-run lottery. Since then, the California Lottery has grown into one of the largest lotteries in the United States, generating billions of dollars in revenue for public education. The California Lottery is run by the California State Lottery Commission, which oversees game development, marketing, and operations. Let’s take a closer look at the different lottery games available in California.
Scratchers
Scratchers are instant win lottery tickets that can be purchased for prices ranging from $1 to $30. To play, you scratch off the coating on the ticket to reveal symbols or numbers. If you match the winning combination, you win a cash prize up to $5 million. Scratchers offer the best odds of winning of any California Lottery game, with odds ranging from 1 in 4 to 1 in 6. Some of the most popular Scratchers games include:
- 5X The Money
- Monopoly
- $5 Million Fortune
- Golden State Riches
- Lady Luck
There are always new Scratchers games being introduced offering different prize amounts, themes, and chances of winning. Scratchers can be purchased at over 23,000 California Lottery retail locations statewide.
SuperLotto Plus
SuperLotto Plus is a multi-state draw game played in California, Florida, and Missouri. To play, you choose 5 numbers from 1 to 47 and 1 “Mega number” from 1 to 27. Drawings are held twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Jackpots start at $7 million and roll over if there is no winner. You win the jackpot by matching all 5 numbers plus the Mega number. The overall odds of winning any SuperLotto Plus prize are 1 in 23. The game also offers a “Mega Ball” promotion that gives players a chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes up to 5 times.
Mega Millions
Mega Millions is one of the largest multi-state lottery games in the U.S. played in 45 states including California. To play, you pick 5 numbers from 1 to 70 and 1 Mega number from 1 to 25. Drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday night. The minimum Mega Millions jackpot starts at $20 million and increases by at least $5 million with each rollover. You win the jackpot by matching all 5 numbers plus the Mega number. Some ways to win smaller prizes include matching just the Mega number or matching 4 numbers plus the Mega number. Overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24.
Powerball
Powerball is the other huge national draw game available in California. Players choose 5 numbers from 1 to 69 plus 1 Powerball number from 1 to 26. To win the multimillion dollar jackpot, you’ll need to match all 5 numbers and the Powerball. Drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday night. Jackpots start at $40 million and grow until someone wins. Other ways to win smaller prizes include matching just the Powerball number or matching 4 numbers plus the Powerball. Overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are 1 in 24.8.
Daily Games
California offers two daily lottery draw games:
- Daily 3: Pick 3 numbers between 0 and 9 and match them in exact order to the winning numbers drawn twice daily.
- Daily 4: Pick 4 numbers between 0 and 9 and match them in exact order to the winning numbers drawn twice daily.
For both games, you can play different combinations like straight (match exact order), boxed (match numbers in any order), front pair, or back pair. Payouts vary based on the type of play and number of matches. Odds range from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000.
Fantasy 5
Fantasy 5 is a California-only draw game with better odds and smaller prizes than games like Mega Millions and Powerball. To play, choose 5 numbers from 1 to 39. Drawings take place daily after each Daily 3 drawing. To win the jackpot, you’ll need to match all 5 winning numbers. Other ways to win prizes include matching 3 or 4 numbers. Overall Fantasy 5 odds are 1 in 5.6. Jackpots typically stay under $100,000 and are winner-take-all.
Hot Spot
Hot Spot is a California Lottery draw game where you pick numbers and then spots on a grid. Choose 5 numbers from 1 to 39 and 1 “Hot Spot” number from 1 to 15. Then pick the exact locations of your 5 numbers on a 5 by 5 grid. There are four daily Hot Spot drawings. Match all 5 numbers and their locations to hit the rolling jackpot starting around $30,000. Overall odds of winning are 1 in 1.2 million.
Raffle Games
The California Lottery offers special raffle style games a few times a year as a way to drive interest and sales. They work by purchasing raffle tickets either online or at retail for the chance to win prize packages and experiences in addition to cash. Two examples are:
- California Dreamin’: Held annually and offers over 4,000 prizes ranging from $25 to $5 million. Tickets cost $10 each.
- Holiday Scratchers Super 2nd Chance: Earn entries by entering eligible non-winning Scratchers tickets. Prizes include vacations and tech packages in addition to cash.
Lottery Revenue
In the 2021 fiscal year, the California Lottery generated over $8 billion in revenue from ticket sales. By law, 87% of this revenue goes back to the public in the form of prizes, retailer commissions, and contributions to education. Here is a breakdown of how California Lottery revenue was distributed:
| Category | Amount (in millions) |
|---|---|
| Prizes | $5,516.5 |
| Retailer Commissions | $532.2 |
| Operating Expenses | $195.3 |
| Contributions to Education | $1,800.0 |
As shown, over $1.8 billion went to supplementing California public education funding last year. Since the Lottery began, it has contributed over $39 billion to schools.
How Lottery Funds Support Education
Education is what the California Lottery is all about. Here is a breakdown of how lottery funds support schools in the state:
- K-12 schools: 94% of funds go to K-12 schools for things like teacher salaries, instructional materials, technology upgrades, and after school programs.
- Higher education: 6% goes to California’s public colleges and universities to support general instruction and academic programs.
- Equal distribution: Funds are distributed to counties proportionate to their population to ensure equal access across the state.
While the California Lottery provides supplemental funding, it is not meant to replace or decrease state educational funding or obligations. However, in some cases, schools have used lottery funds to restore budget cuts in areas like the arts, sports, music, and science. Overall, the billions contributed annually make a significant positive impact on education funding in California.
Responsible Gambling
While playing the lottery can be fun, the California Lottery wants players to gamble responsibly. Here are some tips:
- Set a budget and stick to it
- Only use discretionary income, not rent or grocery money
- Don’t chase losses by continually spending more
- Don’t play under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Balance lottery play with other recreational activities
- Don’t borrow money to play the lottery
- If it’s no longer fun, take a break or stop playing
- Players must be 18 or older
The California Lottery provides resources on the odds of games and tips for responsible play. If you have a gambling problem, call the California Problem Gambling Help Line at 1-800-GAMBLER.
Buying Lottery Tickets
There are a few ways to buy lottery tickets in California:
- Retail locations: Purchase at any of over 23,000 licensed Lottery retail locations in California like grocery stores, gas stations, liquor stores, and pharmacies.
- Online: Create an account on the California Lottery website or mobile app to buy tickets online for draw games like Mega Millions and Powerball.
- Subscriptions: Set up recurring ticket subscriptions online for draw games so you never miss a jackpot.
- Lottery machines: Use self-service Lottery vending machines at select retail locations to purchase tickets.
When buying in person, locate your nearest California Lottery retailer by searching online. Be sure to join the free Rewards loyalty program to earn points on ticket purchases and enter eDraw promotions.
Claiming Lottery Prizes
Here is what you need to know about claiming California Lottery prizes:
- Scratchers prizes under $600 can be claimed at any California Lottery retailer.
- Prizes $600 or over must be claimed at a Lottery district office or by mail. You’ll need to complete a claim form.
- Jackpots over $50 million must be claimed in person at a district office.
- You have 180 days from the date of the draw/ticket purchase to claim your prize.
- You may need to provide photo ID, Social Security number, and proof of eligibility for tax reporting.
- Prizes over $5,000 are subject to federal and state tax withholding at the time of payout.
Be sure to sign the back of your winning ticket immediately and keep it safe until claimed. For your convenience, you can make an appointment at your local Lottery district office to process your prize.
California Lottery District Offices
There are 9 Lottery district offices located throughout California. Visit or mail claims here:
| Location | Address |
|---|---|
| Sacramento | 700 North 10th St, Sacramento, CA 95811 |
| Fresno | 3777 N. Marks Ave, Fresno, CA 93722 |
| Santa Ana | 18842 Von Karman Ave. Suite 350, Irvine, CA 92612 |
| Van Nuys | 16150 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91406 |
| Bakersfield | 4080 Olive Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93308 |
| Palm Springs | 1170 Fairway Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262 |
| Camarillo | 7365 Carnelian St. Suite 201, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 |
| Redding | 1377 Hartnell Ave. Suite B, Redding, CA 96002 |
| San Diego | 1350 Front St. Suite 600, San Diego, CA 92101 |
Unclaimed Prizes
For various reasons, some lottery prizes in California go unclaimed each year. Here’s what happens:
- Prizes expire 180 days after the draw date if no one claims them.
- Unclaimed Scratchers prizes are returned to the prize pool for future games.
- Unclaimed jackpot funds are redistributed proportionately to education.
In fiscal year 2020-21, over $285 million in California Lottery prizes went unclaimed. Make sure to check your tickets carefully and claim any winnings before they expire.
Lottery Scams
Unfortunately, lottery scams do exist. Here are some tips to recognize scams and avoid becoming a victim:
- Be wary of upfront fees – legitimate lotteries don’t require you to pay to collect winnings.
- Never pay taxes or fees in advance – legitimate lotteries withhold taxes when you claim prizes.
- Don’t trust calls, emails, or texts – be skeptical of notifications claiming you won a prize.
- Never provide personal or banking information to collect winnings.
- Only buy tickets from authorized retailers – not individuals.
- Look for red flags like typos, poor grammar, or high-pressure tactics.
Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Contact authorities if you believe you’re the victim of a lottery scam.
Conclusion
The California Lottery offers a wide selection of games with different prize levels and odds of winning. Games range from daily draws like Fantasy 5 to huge jackpot games like Mega Millions and Powerball. Scratchers provide fun instant play action with prizes up to $5 million. While playing the lottery can be enjoyable, it’s important to gamble responsibly and within your budget. Billions in Lottery revenue go each year to supporting vital public education programs in California. With smart play, you can be part of this important contribution while having a chance to win big. Just be sure to check your tickets – you never know when you might hit the jackpot!