California Lottery

The California lottery was established aftera ballot in 1984 in which 58% of residents authorised its creation. Known as Proposition 37, the vote led to the setting up of the California State Lottery Act 1984. The CSLA was set up to distribute more tax-free money to schools andto this end, the lottery is legally required to provide a minimum of 34% of its revenues to public education. In 2005, the state of California joined the nationwide Mega Millions game, becoming the 12th jurisdiction to do so.

The Games and Odds

  • Powerball (5/69 + 1/26) –Odds of winning jackpot: 1 in 292,201,338
  • Mega Millions (5/75 + 1/15) – Odds of winning jackpot: 1 in 258,890,850
  • Super Lotto Plus (5/47+1/27) – Odds of winning jackpot: 1 in 41,416,353
  • Fantasy 5 (5/39) – Odds of winning jackpot: 1 in 575,757

Powerball

Powerball is operated in 44 states and is a 5/69 + 1/26, draw-based game. 5 balls are drawn from a pool of 69 as well as ‘power ball’, which is selected from 26 balls. Due to the sheer number of participants, the game frequently awards huge jackpots although the odds of winning are quite remote at 1 in 292,202,338.

Powerball Lottery Ticket

Each Powerball lottery ticket consists of five play boards, of which each features boxes numbered 1 – 69. Players can select as many as five sets of numbers for each board. There are also five Powerball selection panels as well as quick pick options for players wishing to use randomly selected numbers.

  • Biggest Payout – $90 million
  • Draw Days – Wednesday, Saturday

How to be a Powerball Winner

  • 5 correct numbers with Powerball
  • 5 correct numbers
  • 4 correct numbers with Powerball
  • 4 correct numbers
  • 3 correct numbers with Powerball
  • 3 correct numbers with Powerball
  • 2 correct numbers with Powerball
  • 1 correct number with Powerball
  • Powerball

Mega Millions

The Mega Millions game is offered in 44 US states and features a minimum jackpot of $15 million. As a 5/75 + 1/15 game, the odds are slightly more favourable than other multi-jurisdictional games such as Powerball and stand at 1 in 258,890,850.

• Biggest Payout – $648 million
• Draw Days – Tuesday, Friday

Mega Millions Lottery Ticket

Every Mega Millions lottery ticket features a mains selection panel numbered from 1 to 75 and the Mega Millions game panel which includes check boxes from 1 to 15. Players can select the ‘easy pick’ box for randomly generated numbers.

How to be a Mega Millions Winner

• 5 correct numbers with Mega Ball
• 5 correct numbers, no Mega Ball
• 4 correct numbers with Mega Ball
• 4 correct numbers, no Mega Ball
• 3 correct numbers with Mega Ball
• 3 correct numbers, no Mega Ball
• 2 correct numbers with Mega Ball
• 1 correct number with Mega Ball
• Mega Ball Only

Super Lotto Plus

Super Lotto Plus is California’s third draw-based game which features supplementary number selection. It’s 5/47 + 1/27 formatis unique in the lottery world being the only game with such a structure. And as is the case with games involving a separate pool of numbers, the odds of winning are relatively steep at 1 in 41,416,353.

  • Biggest Payout – $193 Million
  • Draw Days – Wednesday, Saturday

Super Lotto Ticket

The Super Lotto ticket consists of five vertical panels with 47 numbered boxes for the main number selection. Alongside these are the mega number panels for picking the supplementary digits. Quick pick boxes are also included for all ten panels for random number selection.

How to Win Super Lotto Plus

  • 5 correct numbers with Mega Ball
  • 5 correct numbers
  • 4 correct numbers with Mega Ball
  • 4 correct numbers
  • 3 correct numbers with Mega Ball
  • 3 correct numbers
  • 2 correct numbers with Mega Ball
  • 1 correct numbers with Mega Ball
  • Mega Ball

Fantasy 5

Fantasy 5 has a fairly common 5/39 format in which five numbers are drawn from a pool of 39 balls. This relatively small pool of numbers means the odds are lower than many draw-based games and stand at 1 in 575,757.

  • Biggest Payout –$729,505
  • Draw Days – Monday to Sunday

Fantasy 5 Lottery Ticket

On each Fantasy 5 lottery ticket are five play-boards for number selection with a ‘quick pick’ option. Toward the bottom of the ticket is an ‘advanced play’ section which allows participants to use their numbers for up to 12 consecutive draws.

How to win Fantasy 5

  • 5 correct numbers
  • 4 correct numbers
  • 3 correct numbers
  • 2 correct numbers

Biggest Ever Lottery Win in California –$90 million (Powerball)

Marvin and Mae Acosta shared the biggest purse in US history, winning $528.8 million in 2013. They purchased their ticket at a convenience store in Chino Hills, San Bernadino County and took six months to claim their prize. The other winning tickets were sold in Tennessee and Florida.