SuperLotto Plus
SuperLotto Plus is California's second-tier lottery game. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 47, then choose one Mega number from 1 to 27. The state runs twice-weekly draws. This guide covers the game structure, prize tiers, historical context, and mathematical foundations.
5/47 + 1/27 bonus
Wednesday and Saturday
California Lottery
State of California
1985
$1 per play
How SuperLotto Plus Works
The game uses a 5/47 plus bonus format. You select five distinct numbers from 1 to 47. Then you pick one Mega number from 1 to 27. Both selections are required to complete a ticket.
The California Lottery draws five winning numbers from the 47-number pool twice per week. A separate ball machine then draws the Mega number. Your ticket wins a prize if your numbers match the drawn set in any prize tier, from matching the Mega number alone up to matching all five main numbers plus the Mega number.
Draws occur at 7:45 PM Pacific on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Results post shortly after draw time on the California Lottery website and through authorized retailers.
Prize Tier Breakdown
SuperLotto Plus has nine prize divisions. The structure rewards exact matches progressively, starting from the lowest tier.
The jackpot, Tier 1, goes to players who match all five main numbers and the Mega number. Tier 2 pays players who match five main numbers but miss the Mega number. Tier 3 requires four main numbers plus the Mega. Moving down, Tier 4 involves four main numbers without the Mega. Tier 5 and below include combinations of three main numbers with or without the Mega number.
The lowest prize tiers reward matching the Mega number or matching three main numbers alone. These tiers have the highest odds of winning but return the smallest payouts, typically $3 to $10 per ticket.
Jackpots are annuitized over 30 years or taken as a single lump sum. Prize amounts below the jackpot are fixed, except for the Tier 2 prize, which can vary based on ticket sales and the number of winners in that division.
Odds and Probability
The overall probability of winning any prize in SuperLotto Plus is approximately 1 in 41. This accounts for all nine prize tiers combined.
Jackpot odds are 1 in 41,389,320. That calculation comes from the combination of matching five numbers from 47 (1 in 1,533,939) multiplied by matching the Mega number from 27 (1 in 27).
Middle-tier odds improve significantly. Matching four main numbers plus the Mega number carries odds of 1 in 913,129. Matching four main numbers alone drops to 1 in 33,821. Tier 5, matching three main numbers plus the Mega, sits at 1 in 338,432.
The two lowest tiers dominate the win frequency. Matching the Mega number occurs in 1 in 27 tickets. Matching three main numbers without the Mega appears in 1 in 326 plays. These frequent small wins create the illusion of frequent play success, but they return only the original $1 ticket cost or slightly more.
Historical Context and Operator
The California Lottery began operating SuperLotto Plus in 1985. The game replaced an earlier format and has remained one of California's core lottery products alongside Powerball and Mega Millions.
The California Lottery Commission manages the game. The state is the official operator and regulator. All revenue beyond prize payouts and operating costs flows to California's public education system, primarily kindergarten through 12th grade and community colleges.
SuperLotto Plus does not have a federally mandated jackpot or multi-state structure. It is purely a California game. This means jackpots grow based on ticket sales within California alone, unlike Powerball or Mega Millions, which pool sales across 45 states plus DC.
Expected Value and Strategic Notes
Lottery mathematics centers on expected value. EV represents the average return per dollar wagered. For SuperLotto Plus, the state returns approximately 50 cents of every dollar as prizes. The remaining 50 cents funds administration, retailer commissions, and education.
No number selection strategy changes these odds. The game uses random drawing. Whether you choose birthdates, sequential numbers, or random picks, each combination has identical probability. Cold numbers, hot numbers, and overdue digits are statistical fiction.
Syndicate play does improve your odds of winning a prize by reducing per-person cost per combination. However, it dilutes the payout if your group wins. The mathematical advantage of buying more combinations only exists if the cost remains manageable relative to your budget.
The jackpot must reach a certain threshold before play becomes mathematically rational on expected value. Most of the time, SuperLotto Plus jackpots fall below this threshold, making the game entertainment rather than investment.
Tax Treatment
Lottery winnings in California are subject to federal income tax. The IRS withholds 24% at the point of payout for most prizes. Larger jackpot winners face additional federal tax at filing time, sometimes reaching 37% federal marginal rates on the highest portions of the prize.
California does not impose state income tax on lottery winnings. This differs from many states and means California lottery winners retain a larger portion of their prize after federal tax.
Prizes of $600 or less are paid directly at retailers without federal withholding. Prizes above $600 require a claim through the lottery office and trigger withholding. The lottery provides tax documents to winners for proper filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SuperLotto Plus and other California lotteries?
SuperLotto Plus uses a 5/47 plus 1/27 bonus format specific to California. Powerball and Mega Millions are multi-state games with different number pools and jackpot structures. SuperLotto Plus has smaller jackpots but slightly better odds of winning any prize compared to the multi-state games. All three are separate drawings with independent results.
Can I improve my odds by picking numbers based on frequency or patterns?
No. Each draw is independent and random. Past results do not influence future draws. Numbers drawn frequently and numbers drawn rarely have identical probability on the next draw. Hot number strategies and pattern betting are statistically worthless.
What happens if multiple people win the same jackpot prize?
Jackpot winners split the top prize equally. If three tickets match all six numbers, each ticket receives one-third of the jackpot amount. This applies whether tickets are sold in the same drawing or across multiple draws in which the jackpot rolls over.
How is the prize pool distributed across all tiers?
California lottery law mandates specific percentages for prize payouts. Approximately 50% of revenue goes to prizes across all nine tiers. The remaining 50% is divided between retailer commissions, administrative costs, and education funding. The exact split between individual tiers is set by the lottery commission.
What is the expected value of a SuperLotto Plus ticket?
On average, a $1 SuperLotto Plus ticket returns approximately $0.50 in expected prize value. This varies based on the current jackpot size. When the jackpot grows very large, the expected value improves. Most drawings, the expected value remains below the ticket cost, making play a form of entertainment with a known statistical cost rather than a mathematical wager.
Are SuperLotto Plus winnings subject to California state tax?
No. California does not tax lottery winnings at the state level. Federal income tax applies to all prizes. The IRS withholds 24% immediately for prizes above $600. Additional federal tax may be owed at tax filing time depending on your total income and tax bracket. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
