California SuperLotto

The California State Lottery was formed on November 6, 1984 to provide additional funding for public schools and colleges. The lottery was authorised when it was passed by 58 percent of voters in California through Proposition 37, the California State Lottery Act of 1984. The first tickets were sold on October 3, 1985.

Since it started, the lottery has contributed around $30 billion in supplemental funds to California public schools. Some local school districts have used funds for building computer labs, science and music programs, as well as teacher workshops.

The CA Lottery doesn’t get any taxpayer dollars or overall funding. Also, about 95% of all funds the lottery acquires goes back to local communities as prize payments, bonuses, retailer commissions, and contributions to education.

How to play

Playing the California SuperLotto is easy and fun. You just need to do the following steps.

First, look for the nearest SuperLotto retailer. There are over 22,000 retail locations you can choose from.

Second, choose five numbers from 1 to 47 and one Mega number from 1 to 27 on a lotto playslip. You can also have the Quick Pick feature to randomly generate numbers for you.

For fast play, you can choose Quick Pick for the first five numbers, the one Mega number or all six numbers. The computer will randomly select numbers for you.

A single playslip is good for five plays using your chosen numbers, and you can play as much as you want. If you want to play using the same numbers for the next draws, just mark Advance Play. With Advance Play, you can play 2 to 8, 16 or 20 consecutive draws on a single playslip.

Next, submit your playslip to the store clerk and pay $1 for each play to get a SuperLotto ticket, which serves as your receipt. On the ticket, you will see your numbers for each play, the draw date, as well as the amount you paid. Make sure to check your numbers and don’t forget to sign the back of your ticket, so if you lose or misplace it, no one else, but you can use it.

Lastly, check to see if you have won. You can find the winning numbers online or scan the barcode on your ticket at any retailer.

Draws happen every Wednesday and Saturday right after draw entry ends at around 7:45 p.m. PT. So make sure to visit your nearest retailer early to avoid long lines.

How to claim prizes

If you’re lucky enough to win a prize from the SuperLotto, then it is important to know how to claim it.

If you’ve won $599 and under, there are two ways to collect your prize. First option, bring your winning ticket to a lottery retailer and the clerk will give you the money on the spot. It’s that simple.

Second option, if you’re too busy to go to a retailer, you can download a claim form from the California Lottery website and mail it along with your winning ticket.

However, keep in mind that the California Lottery will not be held responsible for mail, tickets or claim forms that are late, damaged, lost, misdirected, incomplete or other reasons. So make sure you protect your prize by making a copy of your winning ticket and claim form. Also, always remember to sign the back of your ticket.

If you’ve won $600 and over, you have two ways to collect your prize.

First option, download a claim form on the California Lottery website, then bring it along with your winning ticket to any Lottery District Office.

Second option, if you can’t visit any Lottery District Office, you can also mail the claim form along with your winning ticket.

Also, your SuperLotto ticket must be postmarked or received by the lottery office within 180 days of the draw date.

Prizes are not tax exempt, and the lottery will notify the IRS of total prize winnings of $600 or above.

If a SuperLotto jackpot prize is not claimed within the required time limit, it will be distributed to California public education.

Jackpot prizes are given in 30 yearly payments. But you have 60 days to choose the cash value of your prize instead of 30 annual payments after you’ve won the jackpot and your prize is validated by the lottery.

SuperLotto Plus 2nd Chance feature

Players now have more chances of winning thanks to the 2nd Chance feature. As the name implies, you get a second chance at winning thousands of dollars every week. For each $1 you spend on a SuperLotto Plus ticket, you will get one entry for the weekly SuperLotto Plus draw. So for example, you play $5 on one ticket, your 2nd chance code will be valid for 5 draw entries. You get an opportunity to win one of five $15,000 prizes.