Best Scratch-Off Tickets in California Right Now
California runs one of the biggest scratch-off programs in the country, with over $6.8 billion in annual Scratchers sales and around 50 active games at any given time. That range, from $10 to $40 per ticket, makes it one of the more interesting states to analyze because the top-tier games genuinely compete with premium tickets from any other state nationally.
We pulled the current data directly from ScratchCheck's California rankings to find the games worth your money right now. All data is current as of late March 2026.
Best ValueScore in California Right Now
Royal Jackpot: $40 | ValueScore: 98.6 | odds: 1 in 2.43 | top prize: $15,000,000 | 4 top prizes left
This is one of the best-rated games in the entire country right now, not just California. A ValueScore of 98.6 with 81 cents returned per dollar in expected value, four top $15 million prizes still available, and odds of 1 in 2.43. That's an exceptional combination at any price point. Royal Jackpot has been near the top of the national ValueScore rankings for weeks and the remaining prize depth keeps it there.
Red Carpet Riches: $20 | ValueScore: 87.6 | odds: 1 in 3.10 | top prize: $2,000,000 | 9 top prizes left
The best $20 game in California right now by a clear margin. Nine top prizes of $2 million remaining is the deepest prize inventory of any game in the state, and 1 in 3.10 odds with a 78 cent expected value per dollar backs that up. If you're spending $20, this is the call in California.
7's: $30 | ValueScore: 83.7 | odds: 1 in 2.71 | top prize: $10,000,000 | 4 top prizes left
Four top prizes of $10 million still available. Odds of 1 in 2.71 on a $30 ticket is strong, and 80 cents per dollar in expected value is among the best in California at this price. ValueScore of 83.7 puts it solidly in the top tier. Worth picking up if you're playing at the $30 level.
Set for Life: $20 | ValueScore: 83.4 | odds: 1 in 3.32 | top prize: $5,000,000 | 6 top prizes left
Six top prizes of $5 million remaining with a 79 cent expected value per dollar. At $20 with six top prizes still unclaimed, Set for Life has some of the best remaining prize depth in the state at its price point. ValueScore of 83.4 is the second strongest among California $20 games right now.
Celebrate 2026: $25 | ValueScore: 81.5 | odds: 1 in 2.93 | top prize: $7,500,000 | 2 top prizes left
Only two top prizes remaining, so this one needs watching. But 1 in 2.93 overall odds at $25 with 80 cents per dollar expected value and a ValueScore of 81.5 makes it one of the stronger plays at the $25 tier while those prizes last.
Best Overall Odds in California Right Now
Royal Jackpot: $40 | odds: 1 in 2.43
Also leads the odds rankings. Best overall odds in California, period. Already covered above but worth reiterating: at 1 in 2.43 you're winning something on nearly every other ticket.
7's and Royal Riches: $30 | odds: 1 in 2.71
Both sitting at 1 in 2.71. The difference: 7's has four top prizes remaining versus Royal Riches which has just one. 7's is the stronger pick between the two right now purely on remaining prize inventory.
Crossword Xtreme: $30 | odds: 1 in 2.72 | ValueScore: 76.2 | top prize: $7,000,000 | 3 top prizes left
Third-best odds in California at 1 in 2.72, three top prizes of $7 million remaining, and 80 cents per dollar expected value. If you enjoy crossword-style games, this is the best crossword option in the state right now on combined odds and prize depth.
Best Budget Pick in California
Mystery Crossword: $10 | ValueScore: 73 | odds: 1 in 3.47 | top prize: $750,000 | 30 top prizes left
The standout budget pick in California right now. Thirty top prizes of $750,000 still remaining is by far the deepest prize inventory of any game in the state at any price point. ValueScore of 73 and 78 cents per dollar expected value is solid for a $10 ticket. If you want a game with genuine remaining prize depth and don't want to spend $30 or $40, Mystery Crossword is the easy answer in California this month.
California Games to Skip Right Now
Several California games are down to a single top prize remaining: Royal Riches ($30), 40 Years of Play! ($40), $100 Million Mega Cash ($10), and Triple Red 777 ($10). All still show decent odds on paper, but with one top prize left between each of them, you're essentially playing for the consolation tiers. With stronger options available, these are easy passes.
Rankings shift daily as prizes are claimed. Check the full live California rankings at ScratchCheck's California page before you buy.
Browse scratch-off odds, ValueScores, and remaining prizes for all California Scratchers at ScratchCheck.com/us/ca
Jessie Jurado covers consumer lottery topics with a focus on odds, value, and the math most players never see. She believes nobody should buy a scratch ticket without knowing what they're actually getting for their money.
