SuperLotto Plus
SuperLotto Plus is California's second-tier lottery game, operated by the California Lottery since 1988. This guide covers the mechanics, prize structure, odds, and what you need to know before playing.
Wednesday and Saturday evenings
6/47 + 1/27 supplementary
California Lottery Commission
$1 per play
How SuperLotto Plus Works
SuperLotto Plus is a pick-6 game with a bonus ball. You choose 6 numbers from a range of 1 to 47. The lottery then draws 5 winning numbers from the same range, plus one supplementary ball drawn from 1 to 27.
The 5 main numbers and the bonus ball together determine your prize tier. Matching different combinations of these numbers moves you up the prize ladder, from matching the bonus ball alone all the way to matching all 6 main numbers.
The bonus ball mechanism separates SuperLotto Plus from simpler 6/47 games. It creates additional prize tiers below the jackpot, which means more ways to win something, though smaller amounts.
Prize Tiers and Odds
SuperLotto Plus has nine prize tiers. The exact odds and payout amounts vary based on ticket sales and the number of winners in each tier, since most prizes are pari-mutuel (they split the prize pool with other winners at that level).
The jackpot, won by matching all 6 main numbers, does not require the bonus ball. This is a fixed percentage of the overall prize pool and grows across draws when no one wins.
The second tier, matching 5 of 6 main numbers plus the bonus ball, typically pays a fixed amount set by the California Lottery. Below that, matching 4 main numbers, or 3 main numbers plus the bonus ball, or combinations thereof, drops into the pari-mutuel tiers where your payout depends on how many other tickets share your winning combination.
The lowest tiers, such as matching the bonus ball or matching 2 main numbers plus the bonus ball, return your dollar but do not profit. The California Lottery publishes current odds for each tier on its official site.
Overall Odds and Expected Value
Your overall odds of winning any prize in SuperLotto Plus are roughly 1 in 21. This means in every 21 tickets you buy, you can expect about one to return a prize of some kind, most often a dollar back.
The odds of hitting the jackpot are significantly worse, around 1 in 41.4 million. The odds worsen when you consider the jackpot is shared among all winners and grows slowly across many draws.
From an expected value perspective, SuperLotto Plus returns less than you put in over time. The California Lottery retains a portion of sales for state programs and retailer commissions. If you buy SuperLotto Plus tickets as a routine expense, you should budget the loss. Syndicates that split tickets among many players do not change these odds; they only reduce your individual exposure per draw.
Draw Schedule and Timing
SuperLotto Plus drawings occur twice weekly, on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. The exact time is 7:45 p.m. Pacific Time.
Tickets purchased before the cutoff time on the day of the draw enter that drawing. Cutoff times vary by retailer, but 7:00 p.m. is standard statewide. Tickets bought after the cutoff enter the next scheduled draw.
California Tax Treatment
SuperLotto Plus winnings are subject to California state income tax. The state taxes lottery prizes as ordinary income at progressive rates. Prizes of $600 or more are reported to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration and the IRS.
Federal tax also applies. The IRS automatically withholds 24% federal income tax for prizes over $5,000. California does not have an additional lottery withholding beyond state income tax, but you may owe more when you file your annual return depending on your total income and tax bracket.
Jackpot prizes are paid out as annuities (annual payments over 29 years) or as a single lump sum. The lump sum is less than the advertised jackpot amount, sometimes 40 to 50% lower. Federal and state taxes are deducted from the lump sum before you receive it, or withheld from annuity payments as they are issued.
History and Regulation
The California Lottery began SuperLotto Plus in 1988 as an evolution of earlier draw games. The California Lottery Commission, a state agency, operates the game and manages prize payouts, retailer management, and regulatory compliance.
All drawings are monitored and audited to ensure random selection and integrity. Results are posted publicly and remain available in the California Lottery's records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SuperLotto Plus and other California Lottery games?
SuperLotto Plus uses a 6/47 + 1/27 structure with a bonus ball, which creates more prize tiers than a basic 6/47 game. This means more ways to win a prize, but the jackpot odds remain long. The Mega Millions and Powerball games that California offers have higher jackpots but worse odds of winning any prize.
If I match 5 of the 6 main numbers but not the bonus ball, do I win anything?
Yes. Matching 5 of 6 main numbers without the bonus ball puts you in a pari-mutuel tier. Your prize amount depends on total ticket sales for that draw and how many other tickets match the same combination. This tier typically pays less than matching 5 plus the bonus ball.
Can I buy a multi-draw ticket or subscription for SuperLotto Plus?
Subscription and multi-draw options are available through the California Lottery's official channels and authorized retailers. Specifics about drawing limits and auto-renewal terms are set by the California Lottery and may change. Check the official site or your retailer for current offerings.
How much of my ticket price goes back into prizes versus state programs?
The California Lottery allocates ticket sales among three main categories: prize payouts (typically around 50%), state programs and education (typically around 34%), and retailer commissions and administrative costs (typically around 16%). The exact split can vary slightly year to year and is published in the California Lottery's annual financial reports.
What happens if multiple people win the jackpot in the same draw?
Jackpot winners split the entire jackpot pool equally. If two tickets match all 6 numbers, each wins half. The number of winners is determined after the draw, so you will not know until results are final whether you are the sole winner or sharing the prize.
Is the advertised jackpot amount what I receive?
No. The advertised amount is the annuity value, paid over 29 annual installments. If you choose a lump sum, you receive significantly less, typically 40 to 50% of the advertised total. Both options are taxed at federal and state rates. After all taxes and withholdings, your net payout will be lower than either amount.
