Which California scratcher has the best odds right now?

On October 25, 2026, $1 Million California Cash (#1749, $40) has the best chance of winning any prize at 1 in 2.36, based on the prizes still unclaimed against the tickets we estimate remain.

Which California scratcher pays out the most?

Royal Jackpot (#1718, $40) leads on current payout at 83.5%, meaning about $33.39 of every $40 ticket comes back to players from the remaining prize pool.

What are the odds of winning more than the ticket price?

The best profit odds in California as of October 25, 2026 belong to Crossword Xtreme (#1726, $30) at 1 in 3.64. Most games sit between 1 in 8 and 1 in 20 once break-even prizes are excluded.

Which price point is the best value in California?

Averaged across active games, the $40 tier has the highest current payout at 81.9%; the $1 tier averages 68.1%. Higher-priced tickets usually return more per dollar but win less often.

Which California scratchers still have their top prize?

55 of 55 active games still have at least one top prize unclaimed; the largest is $15,000,000 in Royal Jackpot (#1718, $40) with 3 of 5 left.

How often is this California data updated?

We pull the official California Lottery prize figures every day and recompute every game. This page reflects data captured on October 25, 2026. If a refresh fails for more than 48 hours, a notice appears at the top of the page instead of stale numbers being presented as current.

California Scratchers: Best Tickets to Buy Right Now (October 2026)

Updated October 25, 2026, 03:29 UTC · 55 games on sale · 25 ending

As of October 25, 2026, the California scratcher with the best odds of winning anything is $1 Million California Cash ($40) at 1 in 2.36 — recomputed from the prizes actually left, not taken from the back of the ticket. Next best is Royal Jackpot ($40) at 1 in 2.45. For the most money back per ticket rather than the most frequent win, it is Royal Jackpot ($40) at 83.5% — $33.39 back on a $40 ticket. All 55 games on sale are ranked below, none of them paywalled, updated every day from the official California Lottery figures. 0 of 55 have no top prize left; 4 launched in the last 30 days.

Also in California: California lottery results — Daily 3, Daily 4, Fantasy 5, SuperLotto Plus and the multi-state games, with full archives and how often each number comes up.

What should I buy?

Budget

The most you'll spend — only tickets costing that or less are suggested.

I want

With $20 to spend and best value in mind, buy Set For Life (#1748) ($10): 81.6% current payout, about $8.16 back per ticket. That is 2 tickets for your $20. Runner-up: 100X (#1696) ($20).

50 of 55 California scratchers cost $20 or less.

Right now in California

New California scratchers (18 in the last 90 days)

2027 — $20, launched October 19, 2026, 79.5% payout
Polar Payout — $10, launched October 19, 2026, 72.8% payout
Holiday Delight — $5, launched October 19, 2026, 70.3% payout
Festive Wishes — $1, launched October 19, 2026, 65.5% payout

See all new California scratchers →

Sales ended: claim deadlines

Celebrate 2026 — $25, sales ended, claim by December 8, 2026, 0 of 3 top prizes unclaimed
Feeling Lucky — $5, sales ended, claim by December 12, 2026, 0 of 12 top prizes unclaimed
Instant Prize Crossword (#1682) — $20, sales ended, claim by December 13, 2026, 0 of 15 top prizes unclaimed
$50 or $100! — $10, sales ended, claim by December 13, 2026, 47,687 of 282,617 top prizes unclaimed

See all ending California scratchers →

Top prizes still left

$15,000,000 — Royal Jackpot ($40), 3 of 5 left
$10,000,000 — 200X (#1740) ($30), 4 of 5 left
$10,000,000 — 7's ($30), 1 of 5 left
$7,000,000 — Crossword Xtreme (#1726) ($30), 1 of 4 left

Every California game's prizes left →

10 sold lots, few top prizes claimed →

6 ways to rank California scratchers

Every ranking below covers all 55 games on sale and is recomputed daily. Free, in full.

Current Payout Most money back per dollar over time
83.5% you are here · leader: Royal Jackpot
Winning Odds Best chance to win any prize today
1 in 2.36 leader: $1 Million California Cash
Cash Odds Best chance at a cash prize, not a free ticket
1 in 2.36 leader: $1 Million California Cash
Profit Odds Best chance to win more than the ticket cost
1 in 3.64 leader: Crossword Xtreme (#1726)
Top Prizes Left Biggest top prizes still unclaimed
$15,000,000 leader: Royal Jackpot
Top Prize Odds Best shot at the headline jackpot
1 in 38 leader: $100 or $200

By price $1 $2 $3 $5 $10 $20 $30 Also Odds by prize size New scratchers Ending soon

Every California scratcher on sale, best payout first

Every game below carries 8 measures, ranked 6 ways, with 7 price-tier lists and a full comparison table. Nothing here is paywalled.

1 $40

Royal Jackpot

#1718

83.5% payout now

EV / ticket
$33.39

Any prize
1 in 2.45

Beats price
1 in 5.67

Top prizes
3 of 5

Best payout
2 $10

Set For Life (#1748)

#1748

81.6% payout now

EV / ticket
$8.16

Any prize
1 in 3.87

Beats price
1 in 5.00

Top prizes
5 of 5
3 $40

$1 Million California Cash

#1749

80.3% payout now

EV / ticket
$32.11

Any prize
1 in 2.36

Beats price
1 in 7.81

Top prizes
35 of 40
4 $30

Crossword Xtreme (#1726)

#1726

79.8% payout now

EV / ticket
$23.95

Any prize
1 in 2.65

Beats price
1 in 3.64

Top prizes
1 of 4
5 $20

100X (#1696)

#1696

79.6% payout now

EV / ticket
$15.92

Any prize
1 in 3.05

Beats price
1 in 6.10

Top prizes
2 of 6
6 $20

2027

#1753

79.5% payout now

EV / ticket
$15.90

Any prize
1 in 3.03

Beats price
1 in 4.32

Top prizes
4 of 4

New
7 $20

Golden State Riches

#1735

79.1% payout now

EV / ticket
$15.82

Any prize
1 in 2.89

Beats price
1 in 8.90

Top prizes
6 of 7
8 $20

Set for Life (#1705)

#1705

78.9% payout now

EV / ticket
$15.78

Any prize
1 in 3.61

Beats price
1 in 5.43

Top prizes
5 of 6
9 $20

MONOPOLY (#1669)

#1669

78.6% payout now

EV / ticket
$15.72

Any prize
1 in 3.49

Beats price
1 in 5.23

Top prizes
4 of 6
10 $20

Show Me $5,000,000!

#1678

78.5% payout now

EV / ticket
$15.69

Any prize
1 in 3.33

Beats price
1 in 5.01

Top prizes
2 of 5
11 $20

100X The Cash

#1722

78.4% payout now

EV / ticket
$15.68

Any prize
1 in 3.28

Beats price
1 in 4.93

Top prizes
2 of 6
12 $30

200X (#1740)

#1740

77.8% payout now

EV / ticket
$23.34

Any prize
1 in 2.85

Beats price
1 in 5.21

Top prizes
4 of 5
13 $20

$5,000,000 Extreme Cash

#1744

76.9% payout now

EV / ticket
$15.38

Any prize
1 in 3.14

Beats price
1 in 6.28

Top prizes
4 of 4
14 $20

$100 or $200 Frenzy

#1731

76.5% payout now

EV / ticket
$15.29

Any prize
1 in 7.89

Beats price
1 in 7.89

Top prizes
227,682 of 467,736
15 $20

$100 or $200

#1687

76.4% payout now

EV / ticket
$15.28

Any prize
1 in 7.90

Beats price
1 in 7.90

Top prizes
61,173 of 424,075
16 $30

7's

#1692

76.3% payout now

EV / ticket
$22.88

Any prize
1 in 2.71

Beats price
1 in 4.96

Top prizes
1 of 5
17 $20

Cash King

#1664

75.9% payout now

EV / ticket
$15.19

Any prize
1 in 2.99

Beats price
1 in 5.97

Top prizes
2 of 6
18 $10

Mystery Crossword (#1743)

#1743

75.6% payout now

EV / ticket
$7.56

Any prize
1 in 3.55

Beats price
1 in 8.01

Top prizes
18 of 25
19 $20

Instant Prize Crossword (#1739)

#1739

75.6% payout now

EV / ticket
$15.11

Any prize
1 in 3.28

Beats price
1 in 5.60

Top prizes
12 of 15
20 $20

Red Carpet Riches

#1714

75.1% payout now

EV / ticket
$15.02

Any prize
1 in 3.23

Beats price
1 in 5.53

Top prizes
5 of 12
21 $5

LOTERIA™ Extra! (#1688)

#1688

74.8% payout now

EV / ticket
$3.74

Any prize
1 in 2.98

Beats price
1 in 4.85

Top prizes
3 of 19
22 $10

California Jackpot

#1695

74.6% payout now

EV / ticket
$7.46

Any prize
1 in 3.35

Beats price
1 in 4.63

Top prizes
3 of 8
23 $10

$50 or $100 (#1738)

#1738

73.4% payout now

EV / ticket
$7.34

Any prize
1 in 8.08

Beats price
1 in 8.08

Top prizes
128,628 of 276,255
24 $10

$1,000,000 Poker

#1725

73.2% payout now

EV / ticket
$7.32

Any prize
1 in 3.54

Beats price
1 in 4.49

Top prizes
9 of 18
25 $10

Neon Jackpot

#1734

72.9% payout now

EV / ticket
$7.29

Any prize
1 in 3.55

Beats price
1 in 4.90

Top prizes
5 of 8
26 $10

Polar Payout

#1752

72.8% payout now

EV / ticket
$7.28

Any prize
1 in 3.62

Beats price
1 in 6.40

Top prizes
4 of 4

New
27 $5

Poker Nights

#1694

72.7% payout now

EV / ticket
$3.63

Any prize
1 in 3.30

Beats price
1 in 4.98

Top prizes
3 of 40
28 $10

$1,000,000 Money Mania

#1713

72.6% payout now

EV / ticket
$7.26

Any prize
1 in 3.43

Beats price
1 in 4.79

Top prizes
2 of 13
29 $5

California Dreamin'

#1680

72.6% payout now

EV / ticket
$3.63

Any prize
1 in 3.93

Beats price
1 in 8.33

Top prizes
5 of 12
30 $5

JAWS

#1724

72.3% payout now

EV / ticket
$3.61

Any prize
1 in 3.66

Beats price
1 in 5.16

Top prizes
9 of 20
31 $1

Rockin' Riches

#1727

71.4% payout now

EV / ticket
$0.71

Any prize
1 in 3.61

Beats price
1 in 7.03

Top prizes
16 of 105
32 $3

15X (#1684)

#1684

71.4% payout now

EV / ticket
$2.14

Any prize
1 in 3.09

Beats price
1 in 5.34

Top prizes
2 of 37
33 $10

Mystery Crossword (#1708)

#1708

71.3% payout now

EV / ticket
$7.13

Any prize
1 in 3.64

Beats price
1 in 9.36

Top prizes
5 of 48
34 $5

LOTERIA™ Extra! (#1737)

#1737

70.7% payout now

EV / ticket
$3.54

Any prize
1 in 3.51

Beats price
1 in 5.43

Top prizes
11 of 13
35 $5

Full of 500's (#1742)

#1742

70.6% payout now

EV / ticket
$3.53

Any prize
1 in 4.36

Beats price
1 in 6.06

Top prizes
15,028 of 26,250
36 $2

Set for Life (#1736)

#1736

70.5% payout now

EV / ticket
$1.41

Any prize
1 in 4.32

Beats price
1 in 7.96

Top prizes
1 of 2
37 $5

Holiday Delight

#1751

70.3% payout now

EV / ticket
$3.52

Any prize
1 in 3.77

Beats price
1 in 5.25

Top prizes
10 of 10

New
38 $5

Poker Multiplier

#1747

70.0% payout now

EV / ticket
$3.50

Any prize
1 in 3.61

Beats price
1 in 5.30

Top prizes
21 of 25
39 $5

Cash Crush

#1712

69.8% payout now

EV / ticket
$3.49

Any prize
1 in 4.34

Beats price
1 in 4.34

Top prizes
5 of 14
40 $10

California Color Pop

#1721

68.5% payout now

EV / ticket
$6.85

Any prize
1 in 3.76

Beats price
1 in 4.79

Top prizes
1 of 6
41 $5

MEGA Crossword (#1717)

#1717

68.5% payout now

EV / ticket
$3.42

Any prize
1 in 3.80

Beats price
1 in 5.82

Top prizes
15 of 35
42 $1

Straight 8's

#1674

67.3% payout now

EV / ticket
$0.67

Any prize
1 in 4.19

Beats price
1 in 8.37

Top prizes
22 of 90
43 $5

Red, White & Blue 7's

#1730

66.7% payout now

EV / ticket
$3.34

Any prize
1 in 4.70

Beats price
1 in 4.70

Top prizes
3 of 18
44 $3

Tripling Bonus Crossword (#1720)

#1720

66.7% payout now

EV / ticket
$2.00

Any prize
1 in 3.19

Beats price
1 in 4.06

Top prizes
6 of 20
45 $2

Dominoes (#1723)

#1723

66.5% payout now

EV / ticket
$1.33

Any prize
1 in 4.02

Beats price
1 in 6.88

Top prizes
10 of 16
46 $2

Boo Bucks

#1745

66.3% payout now

EV / ticket
$1.33

Any prize
1 in 4.02

Beats price
1 in 6.87

Top prizes
7 of 10
47 $2

MONOPOLY (#1665)

#1665

66.2% payout now

EV / ticket
$1.32

Any prize
1 in 4.02

Beats price
1 in 6.89

Top prizes
15 of 28
48 $2

Planetary Payout

#1741

65.9% payout now

EV / ticket
$1.32

Any prize
1 in 4.05

Beats price
1 in 6.89

Top prizes
15 of 20
49 $3

Fireball Bingo

#1711

65.6% payout now

EV / ticket
$1.97

Any prize
1 in 3.51

Beats price
1 in 4.95

Top prizes
23 of 50
50 $1

Festive Wishes

#1750

65.5% payout now

EV / ticket
$0.65

Any prize
1 in 4.32

Beats price
1 in 8.16

Top prizes
85 of 85

New
51 $2

Ca$h Doubler

#1732

65.4% payout now

EV / ticket
$1.31

Any prize
1 in 4.15

Beats price
1 in 7.39

Top prizes
8 of 15
52 $3

15X (#1746)

#1746

65.4% payout now

EV / ticket
$1.96

Any prize
1 in 3.79

Beats price
1 in 6.11

Top prizes
26 of 28
53 $2

GOOOAAAL!

#1728

65.4% payout now

EV / ticket
$1.31

Any prize
1 in 4.04

Beats price
1 in 6.91

Top prizes
11 of 20
54 $3

LOTERIA™ (#1729)

#1729

65.2% payout now

EV / ticket
$1.96

Any prize
1 in 3.76

Beats price
1 in 6.06

Top prizes
45 of 60
55 $5

SuperLotto Plus® Multiplier

#1733

61.9% payout now

EV / ticket
$3.09

Any prize
1 in 3.68

Beats price
1 in 5.17

Top prizes
5 of 13

Payout is what the remaining prize pool returns per dollar; profit odds count only prizes larger than the ticket price. Definitions are on the methodology page.

Compare all 55 games in a table

California Scratchers ranked by current payout
# Game	Price	Payout now	EV / ticket	Any-prize odds	Cash odds	Profit odds	Top prize	Top left	7-day
1. Royal Jackpot #1718	$40	83.5%	$33.39	1 in 2.45	1 in 2.45	1 in 5.67	$15,000,000	3	+2.5 pts
2. Set For Life #1748	$10	81.6%	$8.16	1 in 3.87	1 in 3.87	1 in 5.00	$6,000,000	5	+0.8 pts
3. $1 Million California Cash #1749	$40	80.3%	$32.11	1 in 2.36	1 in 2.36	1 in 7.81	$1,000,000	35	-0.1 pts
4. Crossword Xtreme #1726	$30	79.8%	$23.95	1 in 2.65	1 in 2.65	1 in 3.64	$7,000,000	1	-0.1 pts
5. 100X #1696	$20	79.6%	$15.92	1 in 3.05	1 in 3.05	1 in 6.10	$5,000,000	2	+0.1 pts
6. 2027 #1753 New	$20	79.5%	$15.90	1 in 3.03	1 in 3.03	1 in 4.32	$5,000,000	4	—
7. Golden State Riches #1735	$20	79.1%	$15.82	1 in 2.89	1 in 2.89	1 in 8.90	$5,000,000	6	0.0 pts
8. Set for Life #1705	$20	78.9%	$15.78	1 in 3.61	1 in 3.61	1 in 5.43	$5,000,000	5	0.0 pts
9. MONOPOLY #1669	$20	78.6%	$15.72	1 in 3.49	1 in 3.49	1 in 5.23	$5,000,000	4	0.0 pts
10. Show Me $5,000,000! #1678	$20	78.5%	$15.69	1 in 3.33	1 in 3.33	1 in 5.01	$5,000,000	2	0.0 pts
11. 100X The Cash #1722	$20	78.4%	$15.68	1 in 3.28	1 in 3.28	1 in 4.93	$5,000,000	2	0.0 pts
12. 200X #1740	$30	77.8%	$23.34	1 in 2.85	1 in 2.85	1 in 5.21	$10,000,000	4	-0.1 pts
13. $5,000,000 Extreme Cash #1744	$20	76.9%	$15.38	1 in 3.14	1 in 3.14	1 in 6.28	$5,000,000	4	+0.6 pts
14. $100 or $200 Frenzy #1731	$20	76.5%	$15.29	1 in 7.89	1 in 7.89	1 in 7.89	$200	227,682	0.0 pts
15. $100 or $200 #1687	$20	76.4%	$15.28	1 in 7.90	1 in 7.90	1 in 7.90	$200	61,173	0.0 pts
16. 7's #1692	$30	76.3%	$22.88	1 in 2.71	1 in 2.71	1 in 4.96	$10,000,000	1	-3.3 pts
17. Cash King #1664	$20	75.9%	$15.19	1 in 2.99	1 in 2.99	1 in 5.97	$5,000,000	2	0.0 pts
18. Mystery Crossword #1743	$10	75.6%	$7.56	1 in 3.55	1 in 3.55	1 in 8.01	$750,000	18	+0.1 pts
19. Instant Prize Crossword #1739	$20	75.6%	$15.11	1 in 3.28	1 in 3.28	1 in 5.60	$2,000,000	12	-0.4 pts
20. Red Carpet Riches #1714	$20	75.1%	$15.02	1 in 3.23	1 in 3.23	1 in 5.53	$2,000,000	5	-0.1 pts
21. LOTERIA™ Extra! #1688	$5	74.8%	$3.74	1 in 2.98	1 in 2.98	1 in 4.85	$100,000	3	0.0 pts
22. California Jackpot #1695	$10	74.6%	$7.46	1 in 3.35	1 in 3.35	1 in 4.63	$1,000,000	3	+0.1 pts
23. $50 or $100 #1738	$10	73.4%	$7.34	1 in 8.08	1 in 8.08	1 in 8.08	$100	128,628	0.0 pts
24. $1,000,000 Poker #1725	$10	73.2%	$7.32	1 in 3.54	1 in 3.54	1 in 4.49	$1,000,000	9	-0.2 pts
25. Neon Jackpot #1734	$10	72.9%	$7.29	1 in 3.55	1 in 3.55	1 in 4.90	$1,000,000	5	-0.1 pts
26. Polar Payout #1752 New	$10	72.8%	$7.28	1 in 3.62	1 in 3.62	1 in 6.40	$1,000,000	4	—
27. Poker Nights #1694	$5	72.7%	$3.63	1 in 3.30	1 in 3.30	1 in 4.98	$75,000	3	+0.2 pts
28. $1,000,000 Money Mania #1713	$10	72.6%	$7.26	1 in 3.43	1 in 3.43	1 in 4.79	$1,000,000	2	0.0 pts
29. California Dreamin' #1680	$5	72.6%	$3.63	1 in 3.93	1 in 3.93	1 in 8.33	$555,555	5	0.0 pts
30. JAWS #1724	$5	72.3%	$3.61	1 in 3.66	1 in 3.66	1 in 5.16	$500,000	9	+0.4 pts
31. Rockin' Riches #1727	$1	71.4%	$0.71	1 in 3.61	1 in 3.61	1 in 7.03	$5,000	16	+0.7 pts
32. 15X #1684	$3	71.4%	$2.14	1 in 3.09	1 in 3.09	1 in 5.34	$30,000	2	0.0 pts
33. Mystery Crossword #1708	$10	71.3%	$7.13	1 in 3.64	1 in 3.64	1 in 9.36	$750,000	5	+1.2 pts
34. LOTERIA™ Extra! #1737	$5	70.7%	$3.54	1 in 3.51	1 in 3.51	1 in 5.43	$100,000	11	-0.1 pts
35. Full of 500's #1742	$5	70.6%	$3.53	1 in 4.36	1 in 4.36	1 in 6.06	$500	15,028	0.0 pts
36. Set for Life #1736	$2	70.5%	$1.41	1 in 4.32	1 in 4.32	1 in 7.96	$1,200,000	1	+0.3 pts
37. Holiday Delight #1751 New	$5	70.3%	$3.52	1 in 3.77	1 in 3.77	1 in 5.25	$250,000	10	—
38. Poker Multiplier #1747	$5	70.0%	$3.50	1 in 3.61	1 in 3.61	1 in 5.30	$75,000	21	+0.2 pts
39. Cash Crush #1712	$5	69.8%	$3.49	1 in 4.34	1 in 4.34	1 in 4.34	$250,000	5	0.0 pts
40. California Color Pop #1721	$10	68.5%	$6.85	1 in 3.76	1 in 3.76	1 in 4.79	$1,000,000	1	-0.4 pts
41. MEGA Crossword #1717	$5	68.5%	$3.42	1 in 3.80	1 in 3.80	1 in 5.82	$75,000	15	-0.1 pts
42. Straight 8's #1674	$1	67.3%	$0.67	1 in 4.19	1 in 4.19	1 in 8.37	$888	22	-0.1 pts
43. Red, White & Blue 7's #1730	$5	66.7%	$3.34	1 in 4.70	1 in 4.70	1 in 4.70	$250,000	3	-0.6 pts
44. Tripling Bonus Crossword #1720	$3	66.7%	$2.00	1 in 3.19	1 in 3.19	1 in 4.06	$20,000	6	+0.1 pts
45. Dominoes #1723	$2	66.5%	$1.33	1 in 4.02	1 in 4.02	1 in 6.88	$30,000	10	0.0 pts
46. Boo Bucks #1745	$2	66.3%	$1.33	1 in 4.02	1 in 4.02	1 in 6.87	$30,000	7	-0.1 pts
47. MONOPOLY #1665	$2	66.2%	$1.32	1 in 4.02	1 in 4.02	1 in 6.89	$30,000	15	0.0 pts
48. Planetary Payout #1741	$2	65.9%	$1.32	1 in 4.05	1 in 4.05	1 in 6.89	$20,000	15	+0.2 pts
49. Fireball Bingo #1711	$3	65.6%	$1.97	1 in 3.51	1 in 3.51	1 in 4.95	$20,000	23	0.0 pts
50. Festive Wishes #1750 New	$1	65.5%	$0.65	1 in 4.32	1 in 4.32	1 in 8.16	$5,000	85	—
51. Ca$h Doubler #1732	$2	65.4%	$1.31	1 in 4.15	1 in 4.15	1 in 7.39	$20,000	8	-0.2 pts
52. 15X #1746	$3	65.4%	$1.96	1 in 3.79	1 in 3.79	1 in 6.11	$30,000	26	-0.2 pts
53. GOOOAAAL! #1728	$2	65.4%	$1.31	1 in 4.04	1 in 4.04	1 in 6.91	$20,000	11	-0.1 pts
54. LOTERIA™ #1729	$3	65.2%	$1.96	1 in 3.76	1 in 3.76	1 in 6.06	$30,000	45	-0.1 pts
55. SuperLotto Plus® Multiplier #1733	$5	61.9%	$3.09	1 in 3.68	1 in 3.68	1 in 5.17	$500,000	5	-0.1 pts

California at a glance

Best payout

83.5%

Royal Jackpot

Best any-prize odds

1 in 2.36

$1 Million California Cash

Best profit odds

1 in 3.64

Crossword Xtreme (#1726)

Games with no top prize

of 55 active

Movers this week

Up: Royal Jackpot +2.5 pts after 3 $40,000 prizes were claimed; Mystery Crossword (#1708) +1.2 pts after a $2,000 prize was claimed; Set For Life (#1748) +0.8 pts after a $10,000 prize was claimed. Down: 7's -3.3 pts after a $10,000,000 prize was claimed; Red, White & Blue 7's -0.6 pts after 3 $1,000 prizes were claimed; California Color Pop -0.4 pts after a $1,000 prize was claimed.

About California scratchers

California sells scratchers in price points from $1 to $30, and every one of them publishes the same three facts we build on: how many prizes each game started with, how many are left, and the printed odds of hitting each tier. Those come from calottery.com, and the California Lottery publishes updated prize counts every weekday. Everything on this page is derived from those official numbers; we add no estimates of our own beyond the ticket counts described on our methodology page.

Where to buy: licensed retailers across California, typically convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations. Retailers can pay prizes up to $600. Above that you claim at any California Lottery district office, or by mail; retailers pay up to $599. Bring photo identification and the signed ticket; the back of the ticket carries the exact instructions, and a claim form is on the lottery's own site.

Tax: California does not tax lottery winnings at the state level, but federal withholding of 24% applies above $5,000. Withholding is not the same as what you finally owe, which depends on your total income for the year. For anything large enough to change your tax bracket, talk to an accountant before you claim.

A word on what these numbers can and cannot do. Scratcher outcomes are fixed when the tickets are printed; nothing you read here changes the ticket in your hand. What the data does tell you is which games currently return more of each dollar to players and which still have their big prizes outstanding. Over many tickets that is a real difference in how much you lose. It is never an edge: every California scratcher returns less than it costs, by design.

California scratchers: common questions

Which California scratcher has the best odds right now?: On October 25, 2026, $1 Million California Cash (#1749, $40) has the best chance of winning any prize at 1 in 2.36, based on the prizes still unclaimed against the tickets we estimate remain.
Which California scratcher pays out the most?: Royal Jackpot (#1718, $40) leads on current payout at 83.5%, meaning about $33.39 of every $40 ticket comes back to players from the remaining prize pool.
What are the odds of winning more than the ticket price?: The best profit odds in California as of October 25, 2026 belong to Crossword Xtreme (#1726, $30) at 1 in 3.64. Most games sit between 1 in 8 and 1 in 20 once break-even prizes are excluded.
Which price point is the best value in California?: Averaged across active games, the $40 tier has the highest current payout at 81.9%; the $1 tier averages 68.1%. Higher-priced tickets usually return more per dollar but win less often.
Which California scratchers still have their top prize?: 55 of 55 active games still have at least one top prize unclaimed; the largest is $15,000,000 in Royal Jackpot (#1718, $40) with 3 of 5 left.
How often is this California data updated?: We pull the official California Lottery prize figures every day and recompute every game. This page reflects data captured on October 25, 2026. If a refresh fails for more than 48 hours, a notice appears at the top of the page instead of stale numbers being presented as current.