California Lottery

California Lottery History

The California State Lottery was established in 1984, following the approval of Proposition 37 by voters. Operations began in October 1985 with the launch of Scratchers, the first lottery games. A weekly Lotto game was introduced in 1986, marking the beginning of a long-standing tradition of lottery games in the state.

One of the primary purposes of the California Lottery is to provide supplementary funding for public education. Since its inception, the lottery has raised over $26.6 billion for the education sector. Initially, 34% of the lottery revenue was allocated to education, but this was increased to 87% in 2010 under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s amendment to the Act. The California Lottery has introduced various games over the years, including Daily 3, Daily 4, Fantasy 5, SuperLotto Plus, Mega Millions, and Powerball.

Most Popular California Lottery Games

California Lottery Games With The Best Odds

Fantasy 5 has by far the best odds of winning the jackpot at 1 in 575,757. This is significantly better than other California lottery games, though the jackpots are typically smaller, usually between $50,000 and $500,000.

Daily 3, Daily 4 and Daily Derby also have relatively good odds, ranging from 1 in 167 to 1 in 1,000 for Daily 3, 1 in 417 to 1 in 10,000 for Daily 4 and 1 in 1,001 to 1 in 1,320,000 for Daily Derby.

SuperLotto Plus offers odds of 1 in 41.4 million for winning the jackpot. While these odds are much higher than Fantasy 5, they are still better than national games like Mega Millions and Powerball.

The odds of winning any prize (not just the jackpot) are best for Fantasy 5 at 1 in 8.5. This means you have close to a 10% chance of winning something when you play Fantasy 5. For other games, the odds of winning any prize are 1 in 23 for SuperLotto Plus, 1 in 24 for Mega Millions, and 1 in 24.87 for Powerball.

You can check the odds of winning California games in the table below:

Learn About Lottery Games

Before diving headlong into purchasing California lottery tickets, it is essential to understand how lotteries work and what your odds of winning are.

Understanding lottery odds, jackpots, and rules helps you make informed decisions before making your picks. Thankfully, a wealth of information is available on Jackpot.com, covering various lottery games in California and other states. Familiarizing yourself with the basics of lottery systems and how they function can go a long way in helping you develop an effective playing strategy.

How does the Powerball work How does Mega Millions work

Resources For Responsible Gambling

It's important to play responsibly and within your means. If you or someone you know needs support or guidance, there are various responsible gambling resources available to help you stay in control and enjoy the game safely.

The California Lottery and Jackpot.com both provide access to numerous resources and support services to promote responsible play. Whether you need tips for managing your play or assistance for someone struggling with gambling, these resources are designed to ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming experience for everyone.