Best Scratch-Off Tickets in California Right Now (April 2026)
California's scratch-off lineup stays competitive in April with 47 active games still carrying top prizes. Royal Jackpot continues to lead the state by a wide margin, and the $20 tier is particularly strong this month with several games clustered near the top. Here's what the data shows right now.
All data is pulled from ScratchCheck's California rankings and is current as of April 2026.
Best ValueScore in California
Royal Jackpot: $40 | ValueScore: 97.8 | odds: 1 in 2.43 | EV: 81 cents | top prize: $15,000,000 | 3 top prizes left
Still the best game in California and one of the best in the country. Three top $15 million prizes remaining, 81 cents per dollar expected value, and 1 in 2.43 overall odds. Royal Jackpot has held near the top of the national ValueScore rankings for months. The clear first pick in California regardless of month.
100X The Cash: $20 | ValueScore: 89.4 | odds: 1 in 3.32 | EV: 79 cents | top prize: $5,000,000 | 6 top prizes left
New to the top of the California rankings this month. Six top $5 million prizes remaining with 79 cents per dollar expected value and a 89.4 ValueScore. The best $20 game in California right now by a clear margin. If you're spending $20, this is the pick.
Red Carpet Riches: $20 | ValueScore: 86.2 | odds: 1 in 3.10 | EV: 78 cents | top prize: $2,000,000 | 9 top prizes left
Nine top prizes of $2 million remaining gives Red Carpet Riches the deepest prize inventory of any $20 game in the state. Odds of 1 in 3.10 are among the best at the $20 tier. Strong backup option if 100X The Cash is not available at your retailer.
7's: $30 | ValueScore: 83.4 | odds: 1 in 2.71 | EV: 80 cents | top prize: $10,000,000 | 4 top prizes left
Four top prizes of $10 million remaining with 80 cents per dollar expected value. The best $30 game in California right now. Odds of 1 in 2.71 on a $30 ticket are strong by national standards.
Set for Life: $20 | ValueScore: 82.6 | odds: 1 in 3.32 | EV: 79 cents | top prize: $5,000,000 | 6 top prizes left
Six top $5 million prizes remaining and 79 cents per dollar expected value. Tied with 100X The Cash on odds and prize count. Both are solid choices at $20. If you want options, either one holds up well.
Best Overall Odds in California
Royal Jackpot: $40 | odds: 1 in 2.43
Leads both the odds and ValueScore rankings. Best overall odds in California with the strongest overall rating. Already covered above.
7's: $30 | odds: 1 in 2.71 | 4 top prizes left
Second-best odds in the state at $30. Four top prizes remaining makes it the stronger of the two 1 in 2.71 games in California right now.
Royal Riches · $30 | odds: 1 in 2.71 | 1 top prize left
Tied on odds with 7's but only one top prize remaining. With a better-stocked alternative available at the same odds, Royal Riches is a pass this month.
Best Budget Pick in California
Mystery Crossword: $10 | ValueScore: 72.5 | odds: 1 in 3.47 | EV: 78 cents | top prize: $750,000 | 28 top prizes left
Twenty-eight top prizes of $750,000 remaining is the deepest prize inventory of any California game at any price point right now. The odds and ValueScore are solid for a $10 ticket. Best budget pick in the state for April.
California Games to Skip This Month
Royal Riches, Crossword Xtreme, and 40 Years of Play! all show strong odds but are each down to a single top prize remaining. With better-stocked alternatives available at every price tier, all three are easy passes right now. Check the full California rankings for the latest prize counts before you buy.
Browse scratch-off odds, ValueScores, and remaining prizes for all California Scratchers at ScratchCheck.com/us/ca
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which California scratch-off has the best odds of winning?
Royal Jackpot currently has the best overall odds in California at about 1 in 2.43. This means you have a higher chance of winning something compared to most other games in the state. It also ranks highly in overall value, making it one of the strongest all-around picks.
Are higher-priced scratch-off tickets better in California?
Higher-priced tickets like $30 or $40 games often offer better odds and higher expected value, but they also require a larger upfront cost. For example, Royal Jackpot and 7’s both provide strong odds and prize potential compared to lower-tier tickets. However, the best choice depends on your budget and risk tolerance.
Should you avoid scratch-off games with few top prizes left?
Yes, games with very few top prizes remaining are generally weaker options, even if their overall odds look good. When a game is down to one top prize, your chances of hitting the jackpot are significantly lower than earlier in its lifecycle. It’s usually better to choose games with deeper remaining prize pools.
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.
