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California · Highest Prize Payout

Last updated October 14, 2026

Royal Jackpot ($40) leads California with a 80.8% prize payout rate. Payout percentage measures how much of each dollar spent is returned as prizes across all winners.

RankGamePricePayout %Top Prize
1Royal Jackpot$4080.8%$15,000,000
2$1 Million California Cash$4080.7%$1,000,000
3Crossword Xtreme$3080.1%$7,000,000
47's$3079.6%$10,000,000
5200X$3079.6%$10,000,000
6Golden State Riches$2079.2%$5,000,000
7100X The Cash$2078.6%$5,000,000
8Set for Life (Game #1705)$2078.5%
$5,000,000
$200,000 a year for 25 years
9Mystery Crossword$1078.5%$750,000
10Set For Life$1078.4%
$6,000,000
$20,000 a month for 25 years
11Instant Prize Crossword$2078.4%$2,000,000
12Show Me $5,000,000!$2078.4%$5,000,000
13MONOPOLY$2078.4%$5,000,000
14Red Carpet Riches$2078.3%$2,000,000
15Mystery Crossword (Game #1708)$1078.1%$750,000
16$5,000,000 Extreme Cash$2077.4%$5,000,000
17Cash King$2077.2%$5,000,000
18100X$2077.2%$5,000,000
19$1,000,000 Poker$1074.7%$1,000,000
20California Color Pop$1074.5%$1,000,000
21$1,000,000 Money Mania$1074.3%$1,000,000
22Neon Jackpot$1074.2%$1,000,000
23California Jackpot$1074.0%$1,000,000
24LOTERIA™ Extra! (Game #1688)$571.4%$100,000
25LOTERIA™ Extra!$571.4%$100,000
26Full of 500's$571.0%$500
27California Dreamin'$570.8%$555,555
28JAWS$570.8%$500,000
29Poker Multiplier$570.1%$75,000
30Poker Nights$570.1%$75,000
31Red, White & Blue 7's$569.0%$250,000
32MEGA Crossword$568.9%$75,000
33Cash Crush$567.6%$250,000
34Set for Life$267.1%
$1,200,000
$4,000 a month for 25 years
35LOTERIA™$366.8%$30,000
3615X (Game #1684)$366.7%$30,000
3715X$366.6%$30,000
38Dominoes$266.2%$30,000
39MONOPOLY (Game #1665)$266.1%$30,000
40Boo Bucks$266.1%$30,000
41Planetary Payout$265.8%$20,000
42GOOOAAAL!$265.7%$20,000
43Ca$h Doubler$265.6%$20,000
44Rockin' Riches$165.6%$5,000
45Tripling Bonus Crossword$365.5%$20,000
46Fireball Bingo$365.1%$20,000
47Straight 8's$165.1%$888
48SuperLotto Plus® Multiplier$563.0%$500,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Highest Prize Payout ranking measure?
Prize Payout is the share of every ticket-sale dollar the state returns as prizes, across all tiers. A higher payout percentage means more of the money goes back to players. State lotteries typically keep 25 to 40%; payouts above 70% are unusually generous.
Which California scratch-off is currently #1 for highest prize payout?
The Royal Jackpot ($40) currently ranks first with overall odds of 1 in 2.43 (ValueScore 85 of 100). Prize payout is 80.8%. Rankings update automatically as prize counts change, so the top pick can move. Open the game page for the full prize-tier breakdown and remaining counts.
How often does this ranking update?
Game data for California is refreshed from official sources on a daily schedule. Whenever remaining-prize counts change, ValueScore and every dependent ranking are recomputed automatically. The "updated daily" stamp on the page reflects the most recent successful update.
How should I pick between the top few games in California?
Rankings are a starting point, not a verdict. Two tickets that sit next to each other often differ on a dimension the headline metric ignores: price, top-prize size, or remaining inventory. Use the Budget & Goal Optimizer or the side-by-side Compare tool to weigh Breakeven probability, Jackpot Chase value, or published EV against your actual spend and goal.
Are these values official or estimated?
ScratchCheck uses official published odds and prize counts wherever the state makes them available. A small number of states publish only limited prize breakdowns; for those games ScratchCheck estimates Expected Value and related metrics from industry price-point averages and flags them with an "~Est." tag next to the number. Official figures always take precedence.