In California, there are rules and regulations around when and where lottery tickets can be purchased. The California State Lottery was established in 1984 through a voter initiative called the California State Lottery Act of 1984. This outlined the framework for operating and regulating the state lottery system. Understanding when lottery tickets go on sale and can be purchased in California requires looking at the rules set by the California Lottery as well as state laws.
When do lottery ticket sales start in California?
For draw games like Mega Millions and Powerball, ticket sales start at the beginning of a new draw cycle. For Mega Millions, a new draw happens every Tuesday and Friday evening. For Powerball, a new draw occurs every Wednesday and Saturday evening. This means:
- Mega Millions tickets go on sale on Tuesdays and Fridays in California, usually around 6:00-7:00 pm when the previous draw has been completed.
- Powerball tickets go on sale on Wednesdays and Saturdays in California, usually around 6:00-7:00 pm after the previous draw.
The tickets then remain on sale until around 15 minutes before the next draw occurs. For example, Friday’s Mega Millions tickets would stop being sold around 7:45 pm on Friday.
For scratchers and draw games like Fantasy 5 and Daily Derby, new games are introduced at various times throughout the year. The California Lottery will announce ahead of time when new scratcher games will become available for purchase. Fantasy 5 and Daily Derby games are ongoing so tickets are always available.
What time do lottery ticket sales end each day?
Lottery ticket sales in California must end by a certain time each night according to state law. Here are the sales cut-off times:
- Monday to Thursday: Sales must stop at 10:00 pm
- Friday to Saturday: Sales must stop at 1:00 am
- Sunday: Sales must stop at 12:00 am (midnight)
So Monday through Thursday, ticket sales must halt at 10:00 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, they can continue until 1:00 am the next morning. And sales must end at midnight on Sundays.
Where can you buy lottery tickets in California?
Lottery tickets can be purchased at licensed lottery retailers throughout California. There are over 23,000 lottery retailers in the state. These include:
- Convenience stores
- Gas stations
- Grocery stores
- Liquor stores
- Other retail outlets like pharmacy, newsstand, restaurant
You can find licensed retailers by searching the California Lottery website. Simply enter a city or ZIP code and the nearest retailers will be displayed on a map. Keep in mind retailers can choose when they start and stop selling tickets each day within the state sales limits.
Can you buy lottery tickets online in California?
No, lottery tickets cannot legally be purchased online in California. All ticket purchases must be made in-person at a licensed lottery retailer. The California Lottery does not offer any method to buy tickets over the internet or by phone, mail, or mobile app.
There are some unauthorized websites that claim to sell official California Lottery tickets online. However, these sites are illegal and should be avoided. Stick to buying tickets at approved retailers to ensure you receive legitimate tickets.
What is the minimum age to buy lottery tickets in California?
You must be at least 18 years old to buy lottery tickets in California. Here are the rules around age and lottery purchases:
- Must be 18 or older to purchase any lottery tickets in California, including scratchers.
- 18, 19 and 20 year olds can purchase and redeem lottery tickets but must show valid ID as proof of age.
- Retailers cannot sell tickets to anyone under 18 and must check ID of young-looking customers.
- It is illegal for minors to possess lottery tickets in California.
These age restrictions are outlined in both California lottery regulations and state penal codes. Retailers can face penalties for selling to underage customers.
Can you give lottery tickets as gifts in California?
Yes, lottery tickets can be gifted in California as long as they are given to adults age 18 or older. Some important rules around gifting lottery tickets include:
- Only individuals 18+ can legally receive lottery tickets as gifts.
- Tickets should only be gifted unscratched.
- Any winnings from gifted tickets belong solely to the recipient.
- Tickets should not be gifted to someone against their wishes.
These rules help ensure the laws around age and ownership of lottery tickets are followed. The recipient takes full ownership and claims any prizes from gifted tickets.
Can you order lottery tickets by mail in California?
No, the California Lottery does not allow lottery tickets to be ordered through the mail. All lottery ticket sales must take place in-person at a retail location. There is no mail order option for tickets, even for subscription services.
Some third-party services have tried to establish mail order systems for lottery tickets against state laws. These services are unauthorized and illegal according to California statute and lottery regulations.
Can you buy lottery tickets with a credit card?
Whether you can use a credit or debit card to buy lottery tickets depends on the retailer’s policies. State lottery rules do not prohibit using plastic:
- Most major retailers allow credit/debit cards for buying lottery tickets.
- Smaller shops may only take cash due to merchant processing costs.
- Rewards cards or points cannot be used to purchase tickets.
Check with your local retailer on their payment options. Carrying cash can ensure you can buy tickets at all locations.
Do you have to be a California resident to buy lottery tickets?
No, you do not need to be a resident of California to buy lottery tickets there. Non-residents and tourists can also legally purchase lottery tickets. The key requirements are:
- Must be physically in California to buy tickets.
- Must be 18 or older.
- Tickets can only be purchased from authorized retailers based in California.
- Out-of-state residents must claim winnings in California.
So anyone who is visiting California or temporarily working there can buy lottery tickets. Winnings will be subject to federal and California state taxes.
Can you buy lottery tickets with cash?
Yes, lottery tickets in California can be purchased with cash. Here are some key points around using cash for lottery tickets:
- Most major retailers and gas stations accept cash for lottery purchases.
- Small independent shops may be cash only due to credit card processing fees.
- Cash ensures you can buy tickets from any licensed retailer.
- Always get your change back immediately after paying cash.
- Keep lottery tickets and cash receipts separate for your records.
Using cash to buy lottery tickets can be convenient but keep in mind retailers don’t accept large bills. Bring smaller denominations when buying multiple tickets.
Can you return a lottery ticket in California?
No, lottery tickets cannot be returned or cancelled once purchased in California. All sales are considered final at the time of purchase. Some key policies on returning lottery tickets include:
- Tickets cannot be returned to retailers for a refund or exchange.
- Claiming a ticket was purchased by mistake will not allow for a return.
- Damaged, lost or stolen tickets also cannot be refunded or replaced.
- Direct any complaints about retailers to the California Lottery.
So carefully check tickets before leaving the retailer. There is no recourse if you made a mistake or changed your mind. Only exceptions are for stolen or destroyed tickets with proof.
Can you cancel a lottery ticket subscription?
Yes, lottery ticket subscriptions for draw games like Mega Millions can be cancelled in California. The process depends on how long you’ve been subscribed:
- Within 30 days – Cancel anytime with full refund of remaining balance.
- After 30 days – Cancel anytime but no refunds provided.
- Notify by phone, email or mail to cancel subscription.
- Cancellation effective before next scheduled ticket purchase.
- Multi-draw tickets for cancelled subs are still valid.
So new subscribers have 30 days to easily cancel and get a refund. After that, subscriptions can be ended but no refund given on remaining balance. Confirm cancellation before the next auto-order date.
Can a retailer refuse to sell you a lottery ticket?
Yes, lottery retailers can refuse to sell tickets in certain circumstances, including:
- If the customer appears to be underage.
- If the person is noticeably intoxicated.
- If the person is acting disorderly or inappropriate.
- If asked for identification but cannot produce valid ID.
- If the retailer has concerns about legality of the situation.
In these cases of a refused sale, ask to speak with a manager on duty about the store’s policy. If issues persist, report the retailer to the California Lottery.
What are the odds of winning the lottery in California?
| Lottery Game | Odds of Winning Jackpot |
|---|---|
| Powerball | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| Mega Millions | 1 in 302,575,350 |
| SuperLotto Plus | 1 in 41,416,353 |
| Fantasy 5 | 1 in 575,757 |
| Daily Derby | 1 in 962 |
| Scratchers | Varies by game |
As you can see, jackpot games have very long odds but Fantasy 5 and Daily Derby are more reasonable. Scratcher odds vary based on prize amounts and number of tickets printed.
Is there tax on lottery winnings in California?
Yes, federal and state taxes apply to lottery winnings in California:
- Federal tax – All prizes over $600 subject to 24% federal withholding.
- State tax – Prizes over $1,500 have 8% – 12% CA state tax withheld.
- Taxes are taken out automatically before prizes paid.
- Winners responsible for any additional taxes when filing returns.
- U.S. residents must report all winnings to the IRS.
Make sure to factor in taxes when calculating how much you actually take home from a lottery prize. Winnings are considered taxable income.
Are lottery winnings anonymous in California?
No, lottery prizes in California are not anonymous. State law requires the California Lottery to publicize and release winner’s names and cities for prizes over $50,000.
Specifically, for prizes of:
- $50,000-$1 million – Name and city of residence released
- Over $1 million – Name, photo, city/county released
This information allows the Lottery to maintain transparency but does not compromise winner privacy or safety.
Can you remain anonymous if you win the lottery in California?
There is no way to remain completely anonymous if you win a large lottery prize in California. However, you may be able to take measures to protect some personal privacy:
- Claim prize as a trust instead of individual to shield identity.
- Work with lawyers, accountants and financial advisors to claim anonymously.
- Avoid publicity events organized by the Lottery.
- Change contact information immediately to reduce solicitations.
- Move away or relocate if concerned about safety.
While full anonymity is not possible, winners can take important steps to maintain financial and personal privacy after claiming substantial prizes.
How long do you have to claim a lottery prize in California?
Lottery winners have a limited time to come forward and claim prizes in California. Deadlines depend on the prize amount:
- Prizes up to $599 – 180 days from draw date to claim
- Prizes $600 to $199,999 – 180 days from validation to claim
- Prizes $200,000 and over – 1 year from draw date to claim
These deadlines are strictly enforced. Expired prizes become property of the California public schools. Check tickets promptly and claim wins well before the deadline.
What happens if a lottery ticket expires before you claim it in California?
If a winning lottery ticket expires before being claimed or redeemed in California, the prize money is forfeited. Here is the process:
- Prize funds from expired, unclaimed tickets go into a holding account for 1 year.
- After 1 year, the money transfers to California public schools.
- Expired tickets cannot be redeemed – the prizes are permanently forfeited.
- Claim deadlines range from 180 days to 1 year depending on prize size.
- Check tickets promptly and claim prizes well before expiration dates.
Billions in unclaimed prizes have gone to California schools over the years. Avoid losing out by carefully checking tickets and meeting all claim deadlines.
Where does money from unclaimed lottery prizes go in California?
Funds from lottery prizes that expire before being claimed in California are transferred to the state’s public schools. Specifically:
- Expired prize money is held in a reserve account for 1 year.
- After 1 year passes, the funds are given to California’s public K-12 schools.
- In 2022, over $153 million in unclaimed prizes went to schools.
- Since the Lottery began, schools have received over $1.8 billion from expired prizes.
This provides a significant source of supplementary funding for education across the state. Check those tickets – a portion of unclaimed prizes comes right out of potential school funding!
Key Takeaways
Here are some key tips to keep in mind for playing the California lottery:
- Tickets can be purchased daily within allowed sale hours.
- Find authorized lottery retailers throughout the state in-person.
- Must be 18 or older to buy lottery tickets in California.
- Federal and state taxes apply to prizes over certain thresholds.
- Prize winnings are not anonymous for jackpots over $50K.
- Claim prizes within 180 days or 1 year deadline to avoid forfeiting.
- Unclaimed prize money supports California public schools.
Following lottery rules and claim procedures carefully to ensure you can enjoy participating responsibly and legally in the California lottery.
