When playing the CA Lottery, keep in mind that the chances of winning vary greatly between games. Before buying a ticket, its smart to compare the overall and individual prize odds for the games you’re interested in.

You can find a full list of prize odds by clicking on any game in the table provided.

GAME	BASE TICKET PRICE	OVERALL ODDS
CA Daily 3	$1	1 in 1,000 (Exact)
CA Daily 4	$1	1 in 10,000 (Exact)
Daily Derby	$2	Varies (See Game Page)
CA Fantasy 5	$1	1 in 9
Mega Millions	$2	1 in 24
Powerball	$2	1 in 24.9
Super Lotto Plus	$1	1 in 23
CA Scratchers	$1 - $30	See Latest Odds

When is the Next California Lottery Live Drawing?

Stay up-to-date on all the lottery draws from by the CA Lottery with our convenient calendar. It includes the drawing times and sales cut-off times (in brackets) for each game, so you’ll never miss a chance to play again.

GAME	FREQUENCY	DRAW TIME (SALES END)
Daily 3 Midday	Daily	1:00 pm (same)
Daily 3 Evening	Daily	6:30 pm (same)
CA Daily 4	Daily	6:30 pm (same)
Daily Derby	Daily	6:30 pm (same)
Fantasy 5	Daily	6:30 pm (same)
Mega Millions	Tues / Fri	8:00 pm (7:45 pm)
Powerball	Mon / Wed / Sat	7:59 pm (7:00 pm)
SuperLotto Plus	Wed / Sat	7:45 pm (same)

What are the MyAccount Second Chance Drawings from the CA Lottery?

MyAccount

Who says the third time’s a charm. Life is full of second chances. Second chance drawings are bonus chances to win and are open exclusively to players who have purchased an eligible game ticket.

Simply log into your California Lottery MyAccount and submit the 2nd Chance code on eligible scratchers.

A California Lottery account is also the best way to be the first to know about new games, promotions and events. You can even receive jackpot and winning number alerts.

What are the Best CA Lottery Scratchers?

At Lotto Edge, scratchers are kind of our deal. We analyze CA Lottery scratcher data DAILY for every prize in every game! You heard that right.

We use fancy computers to run thousands of calculations and provide our members simple rankings of the best games to play.

We offer multiple rankings so no matter what prizes you are after or how you like to play, we have a ranking made for you.

If you love scratcher, you HAVE to check out our rankings before you spend another dollar.

Want some tips on playing the California Lottery?

Our experts pulled together some tips to help you play the CA Lottery.

Got any other tips? Let us know.

TIP #1: SCRATCHER ODDS

Scratcher ticket odds almost always beat draw games BUT the odds change daily. Check back frequently to keep up with the latest odds changes!

TIP #2: LESS POPULAR GAMES

Don’t be afraid of smaller or less popular draw games. They typically have better chances of winning and less winners to split any prizes.

TIP #3: BE WEARY OF PROMISES

If a lottery “system” guarantees you a win, RUN. We have yet to find a reliable and consistent method for winning draw games.

TIP #4: CHECK PRIZE ODDS

Don’t rely just on the overall odds to compare games. Smart players should check the individual prize odds before choosing a game.

Commonly Asked Questions by California Lottery Players

We constantly talk with lottery players and search the web for commonly asked lottery questions. We’ve compiled a list of the frequently asked questions about the CA Lottery.

If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, drop us a note. We’re happy to help.

When does the California Lottery post draw results?

The CA Lottery posts winning results immediately after each drawing. Our lottery results, while unofficial, are posted soon after each drawing as well.
Can I play the CA lottery online?

Unfortunately, the California lottery doesn’t currently offer the ability to purchase lottery tickets online.
Can I use a debit or credit card to buy lottery tickets in California?

You can buy lottery tickets using cash, debit or credit card. However, it is up the retailer to determine what forms of payment they will accept.
How long do I have to collect a winning prize?

Winning scratchers must be postmarked or received by Lottery offices within 180 days of the announced end of game date. Any winning draw game tickets must be postmarked or received by Lottery offices within 180 days of the winning draw date, except in the case of Mega Millions and Powerball Jackpots, the tickets must be postmarked or received within one year from the winning draw date.
How old do I have to be to play the lottery in the state of California?

If you’re 18 or older, you can play the lottery!
Where can I buy lottery tickets in California?

There are over 23,000 licensed retailers selling lottery tickets across California. Unfortunately players aren’t able to buy lottery tickets online in California yet.
How can I claim a winning ticket?

Prize claims under $600 can be claimed at a lottery retailer, local district lottery office or by mail.Prizes of $600 and up can be claimed at a local district lottery office or by mail.
Can California Lottery winners remain anonymous?

Unfortunately in the State of California, winners currently cannot remain anonymous. Your full name, the name and location of the retailer who sold you the winning ticket, the date you won and the amount of your winnings, including your gross and net installment payments, are matters of public record and are subject to disclosure. The Lottery will not disclose any other personal or identifying information without your permission unless legally required to do so.
Does the CA Lottery have an App?

Yes. The CA lottery app includes features to scan a ticket to see if you are a winner, receive custom push notifications, enter 2nd Chance drawings, and find retailer and claim information.
Where can I find CA Lottery Predictions?

Anyone or any website offering to sell you drawing game predictions should be viewed with skepticism. Drawing games are random ball drawings where the previous draws have no impact on future drawings.
Where can I find past CA Lottery drawing results?

Past drawing are available from calottery.com. Click on the game you are interested (e.g. Powerball), then click the tab “Past Winning Numbers”.
Are there any CA scratcher strategies that can help me?

Check out our best CA Lottery scratcher rankings and find a ranking that fits your playing style. All our rankings provide you a daily updated list of the best scratcher games to play.

Playing CA Lottery Online / Online Gambling

The CA Lottery doesn’t currently offer the ability to buy lottery tickets on their official website or allow 3rd party ticket brokers to sell tickets.

California has also been slow to expand their gambling offerings to other services. We’ve included a full list of online gambling options legal in the State of California.

GAME	AVAILABLE CA LOTTERY	LICENSED 3RD PARTY
Scratchers	No	No
Draw Games	No	No
Sportsbook	No	No
Casino	No	No
Poker	No	No
Bingo	No	No
Daily Fantasy	No	YES

About the California Lottery

Since it began in 1985, the California Lottery’s primary mission has been to provide supplemental funding for the state’s public schools and colleges. The Lottery has returned $39 billion in supplemental education funding, which helps schools attract and retain quality teachers, buy equipment and support critical programs.

In California, more than 23,000 retailers generate more than $8.4 billion in gross sales each year, with $5.6 billion awarded to players in prizes.

Conclusion

Did we miss anything or do you have anything we need to update? Drop us a note and tell us what you think.

If you found this helpful, make sure to check out our expert California scratcher rankings. It’s the perfect way to find the scratchers with the best odds of winning.

Sources:

https://calottery.com/

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links where our partners may compensate us for certain referrals at no cost to you.

Author:

Researched and Written By: Jared James, Founder

USA Lottery Drawing Results

Top 10 California Lottery Scratcher Odds

Latest California Lottery Results & Winning Numbers

Daily Derby

Mega Millions

Powerball

SuperLotto Plus

Daily 3 Midday

Daily 3 Evening

California Daily 4

Fantasy 5

Which California Lottery Game has the Best Odds?