California offers a variety of lottery games that are unique to the state. The California Lottery began in 1984 after California voters approved Proposition 37, allowing the state to provide lottery games. Since then, the California Lottery has introduced several games that can only be played in California.
SuperLotto Plus
One of the most popular lottery games exclusive to California is SuperLotto Plus. SuperLotto Plus is a jackpot game where players pick 5 numbers from 1 to 47 and 1 Mega number from 1 to 27. To win the jackpot, players must match all 5 numbers plus the Mega number. The starting jackpot is $7 million and continues climbing until there is a winner. SuperLotto Plus drawings are held twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
SuperLotto Plus is unique to California and allows players to multiply non-jackpot prizes up to 5 times by purchasing the Mega Multiplier for an extra $1 per play. SuperLotto Plus is also known for its high secondary prizes, sometimes reaching $2 million or more if there is no jackpot winner for several draws.
Some key facts about SuperLotto Plus:
- Introduced in 1991 as replacement for SuperLotto.
- Jackpots start at $7 million and keep growing.
- Drawings held Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Overall odds of winning 1 in 23.
- Mega Multiplier option to increase non-jackpot prizes.
Fantasy 5
Fantasy 5 is a daily game exclusive to California where players pick 5 numbers from 1 to 39. To win the top prize, players must match all 5 numbers. The jackpot starts at $50,000 and increases for every draw until there is a winner. Fantasy 5 drawings are held 7 days a week after the draw entry closes.
Fantasy 5 is unique in that it offers fixed secondary prizes for matching 2, 3, or 4 numbers. These prizes stay the same no matter how long the top prize goes unclaimed. Fantasy 5 also offers the XTRA option to increase non-jackpot prizes for an extra $1 per play.
Some key facts about Fantasy 5:
- Introduced in 1995.
- Jackpots start at $50,000 and keep growing.
- Drawings held 7 days a week.
- Overall odds of winning 1 in 5.6.
- XTRA option to increase non-jackpot prizes.
Daily 3
Daily 3 is a popular daily numbers game only available in California. Players pick 3 numbers from 0 to 9, and can play different combinations such as straight (numbers in exact order), boxed (numbers in any order), front pair, or back pair. Payouts vary based on the play type and numbers drawn.
Daily 3 has midday and evening draws, allowing players two chances to win each day. Players can place bets ranging from $.50 to $5, with higher bets eligible for bigger prizes. Daily 3 also offers FIREBALL, which adds a 4th number to increase prize payouts (excluding the straight play type).
Some key facts about Daily 3:
- Introduced in 2002.
- Midday and evening draws daily.
- Straight, boxed, front/back pair, and combo play options.
- Overall odds range from 1 in 167 (straight) to 1 in 1,000 (boxed).
- FIREBALL option to increase prizes.
Daily Derby
Daily Derby is a unique lottery game only found in California. Players pick 3 horses to finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in a computer-simulated horse race. Each horse is assigned a number from 1 to 12. Races happen twice a day, similar to Daily 3. The winning horses are selected using a pari-mutuel random number generator.
To win the top prize, players must pick the winning horse trio and race time (midday or evening) in exact order. Other prize levels are awarded for matching 2 or 1 of the winning horses. Daily Derby offers a chance to win up to $235,000 on a $1 play.
Some key facts about Daily Derby:
- Launched in 2007.
- Midday and evening drawings.
- Pick 3 horses to finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
- 12 numbered horses randomly generated.
- Overall odds of winning 1 in 1,221.
Cash4Life
Cash4Life is an interstate lottery game available only in California and 6 other states. Players choose 5 numbers from 1 to 60 and 1 Cash Ball number from 1 to 4 for a chance to win $1,000 per day for life.
The top prize is paid annually with the initial payment being $7,000 followed by annual payments of $25,000 for life. There are 8 other prize tiers for matching some or none of the numbers. Cash4Life drawings take place every day in New Jersey.
Some key facts about Cash4Life:
- Available since 2014 in California.
- Offered in 7 states total.
- Pick 5 main numbers and 1 Cash Ball.
- Daily drawings held in NJ.
- Overall odds of winning 1 in 21,846.
Raffle
The California Lottery Raffle is a seasonal game that offers better odds of winning compared to traditional lotto games. Each raffle ticket is a unique number from 1 to 250,000. In each raffle, a set number of winning tickets are drawn. The more tickets sold, the more winners there are.
The raffle prize structure always includes one top prize of $1 million. Lower tier prizes range from $100 up to a few thousand dollars. The raffle entry period and drawing dates vary for each game occurring a few times per year.
Some key facts about the California Lottery Raffle:
- Held 2-3 times per year.
- Tickets numbered from 1 to 250,000.
- $1 million top prize guaranteed.
- Overall odds around 1 in 200.
- No repeating numbers or shared prizes.
Hot Spot
Hot Spot is a hybrid lottery and scratcher game exclusive to California. Scratcher-style tickets costing $2, $5, or $10 are printed on-demand from lottery terminals. Each ticket reveals a number from 1 to 5,000 which players can match to numbers drawn twice a day to win prizes.
Hot Spot offers fixed prizes ranging from $2 up to $100,000. Matching all 5 numbers wins $100,000. Players can win multiple times with the same ticket since drawings happen twice daily. Hot Spot combines the convenience of scratchers with the excitement of seeing numbers get drawn.
Some key facts about Hot Spot:
- Launched in 2018.
- $2, $5, and $10 play options.
- Drawings at 1:30pm and 6:30pm PT.
- Win up to $100,000.
- Ticket is valid for both daily draws.
Jackpot Captain
Jackpot Captain is California’s branded version of the national Powerball lottery game. It follows the same gameplay format with 5 main numbers drawn from 1 to 69 and the Powerball from 1 to 26. Jackpots start at $40 million and can roll over many times to reach huge award amounts.
Jackpot Captain drawings are held Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tickets can be purchased with add-on features like Power Play to multiply non-jackpot winnings. Jackpot Captain is integrated with the national Powerball game but marketed with a California-centric theme and branding.
Some key facts about Jackpot Captain:
- California’s version of Powerball.
- Jackpots start at $40 million.
- Drawings on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Overall odds of winning 1 in 24.9.
- Power Play add-on available.
Mega Millions
Although not exclusive to California, Mega Millions can be played in the state and has awarded several jackpots to California residents. Players select 5 main numbers from 1-70 and 1 Mega Ball from 1-25 for a chance to win jackpots starting at $20 million and often reaching over $100 million.
To take home the full jackpot, players must match all 6 numbers. There are 8 other prize tiers for matching some numbers. Mega Millions drawings happen Tuesdays and Fridays.
Some key facts about Mega Millions in California:
- Available since 2005.
- Jackpots start at $20 million.
- Drawings held Tuesdays and Fridays.
- Overall odds of winning 1 in 302,575,350.
- Several jackpot winners from California.
Scratchers
Scratchers are lottery tickets that are only available in California. Playing Scratchers is easy – simply scratch off the covering on the ticket to reveal symbols and numbers. Match enough symbols or numbers in any one game board to win a prize. More than 75 unique Scratchers games are introduced each year in California, ranging in price from $1 to $30.
Some key facts about California Lottery Scratchers:
- Introduced with the start of the lottery in 1984.
- New selection of games every few weeks.
- Tickets range from $1 to $30.
- Over 75 new games per year.
- Prizes from free tickets up to millions.
Summary of California Lottery Games
Here is a summary table of the lottery games exclusive to California:
| Game | Launch Year | Draw Frequency | How to Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuperLotto Plus | 1991 | Wednesdays and Saturdays | Pick 5 of 47 + Mega number |
| Fantasy 5 | 1995 | Daily | Pick 5 of 39 |
| Daily 3 | 2002 | Twice daily | Pick 3 numbers 0-9 |
| Daily Derby | 2007 | Twice daily | Pick 3 horses to finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd |
| Hot Spot | 2018 | Twice daily | Reveal numbers, match to drawn |
| California Lottery Raffle | 1988 | Varies | Enter raffle for chance at prizes |
Other lottery games available in California but not exclusive include:
- Powerball (branded as Jackpot Captain)
- Mega Millions
- Cash4Life
- Scratchers
Lottery Revenue Benefits California Schools
A unique aspect of the California Lottery is that the profits go to benefit public schools. More than $39 billion has been contributed to California public education since the lottery began in 1984. The funds support important programs and services at K-12 schools across the state.
Some of the educational benefits funded by the California Lottery include:
- Teacher salaries
- Textbooks
- Technology upgrades
- Classroom supplies
- After-school programs
- Sports and arts
Playing the lottery in California helps support schools while also giving residents who are 18 or older a chance to win big prizes. It’s a win-win for education funding and players hoping to take home a jackpot.
Buying Lottery Tickets in California
There are a few ways to buy lottery tickets for California’s exclusive games:
- In-person: Purchase tickets at licensed Lottery retailers around the state. Over 23,000 stores sell lottery games in California.
- Online: Create an account at the California Lottery website or mobile app to buy tickets online for certain draw games.
- Subscription: Set up recurring ticket purchases for draw games like SuperLotto Plus, Powerball, and Mega Millions.
- Scratchers vending machines: Use cash to purchase Scratchers tickets from self-serve vending machines located around the state.
When buying in-person, players must be 18 or older. Online lottery ticket sales also require players to be California residents and 18 or older. All lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw at a California Lottery district office.
Responsible Lottery Play
Playing the lottery can be fun when done responsibly but it’s important to keep in mind these games of chance have very low odds of winning. The California Lottery encourages budgeting an affordable entertainment amount and avoiding excessive play. Players should be 18 or older and set a limit on purchases.
Free resources are available to get help with responsible gambling, including:
- Calling the California Problem Gambling Help Line at 1-800-GAMBLER.
- Using the Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program to bar access to lottery products.
- Downloading gambling management apps to track spending.
Withresponsible play, the California Lottery offers residents exclusive games unavailable in other states. The unique Scratchers, Hot Spot, Daily Derby, SuperLotto Plus and other CA games give local players chances at prizes ranging from small wins up to multimillion-dollar jackpots. And the profits go right back to benefitting public education across California.
