California scratchers still hold $4.1 billion in cash prizes
California's 58 scratchers on sale held about $4.1 billion in unclaimed cash prizes as of September 30, 2026, not counting free-ticket prizes. Six games account for more than a third of it.
| Game | Price | Cash prizes left | Top prize | Top prizes left | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 Million California Cash | $40 | $381.6 million | $1,000,000 | 40 of 40 | 3% |
| 200X | $30 | $282.4 million | $10,000,000 | 4 of 5 | 22% |
| Royal Jackpot | $40 | $248.6 million | $15,000,000 | 3 of 5 | 45% |
| Crossword Xtreme | $30 | $224.7 million | $7,000,000 | 2 of 4 | 44% |
| Golden State Riches | $20 | $190.7 million | $5,000,000 | 6 of 7 | 18% |
| Instant Prize Crossword | $20 | $187.6 million | $2,000,000 | 13 of 15 | 21% |
The leader launched September 21, which is why it has barely been touched. It also has an unusual prize table, 40 top prizes of $1 million instead of a few giant ones. Every California game on sale still has at least one top prize left.
The free-ticket catch
46 of California's 58 games include free-ticket prizes, and the payout figure lotteries and most sites quote counts each free ticket at its full price. In cash, the picture changes.
| Game | Payout with free tickets | Payout in cash |
|---|---|---|
| $1 Million California Cash | 80.7% | 65.2% |
| Royal Jackpot | 80.8% | 72.5% |
| Golden State Riches | 79.2% | 68.3% |
| Instant Prize Crossword | 78.4% | 65.2% |
| 200X | 79.6% | 79.7% |
| 40 Years of Play! | 80.2% | 80.3% |
A free ticket is only worth its price if you play it, and on average it pays back what any ticket does, so the cash column is the better guide to what a game hands out. By that measure, 40 Years of Play pays back the most, though only one of its seven $15 million prizes is left and about 90% of its tickets are sold. 200X and 7's both return 79.7% in cash, and 200X still has four $10 million prizes. California does not tax its own lottery prizes, so only federal tax applies to a win. Which games hold the most top prizes remaining is updated daily, and a recent run of $1 million Money Mania winners shows how fast a game's top prizes can go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money is left in California scratchers?
About $4.1 billion in unclaimed cash prizes across the 58 scratchers on sale as of September 30, 2026, not counting free-ticket prizes. The $40 $1 Million California Cash holds the most, about $381.6 million.
Why do California scratcher payouts look so high?
Most California games include free-ticket prizes, and the usual payout figure counts each free ticket at its full price. Counting cash only, $1 Million California Cash returns 65.2% of sales instead of 80.7%.
Which California scratcher pays back the most in cash?
Among games without free-ticket prizes, 40 Years of Play returns 80.3% of sales in cash, and 200X and 7's return 79.7%. 200X also still has four of its five $10 million top prizes.
Jessie Jurado is a news writer who covers new scratch-off launches, state lottery guides, taxes on winnings, news, and much more. She joined ScratchCheck in 2026 and writes the site's state-by-state coverage.
