SuperLotto Plus Exposed — California’s Shiniest Lottery?
SuperLotto Plus Review
Previously called SuperLotto, this California lottery was rebranded to SuperLotto Plus some time ago. Does the “plus” add anything to the experience, and is this lottery worth trying at all? That’s what we’re about to find out today.
The Golden State is known for a couple of great lottery games. Excluding the giants like Powerball and Mega Millions, some local opportunities also deserve special attention.
SuperLotto Plus impresses with a big jackpot that grows and a reasonably low entry cost. Spending just one dollar per line gives you a chance to become a millionaire. Here’s how SuperLotto Plus goes and how to make the most of it.
Check out our Jackpocket review to find out if Jackpocket is a legit lottery service in California
What Is SuperLotto Plus: A Quick Overview
SuperLotto Plus California is a veteran as far as lotteries go. It was officially launched in 1986 as California SuperLotto, and its name changed to SuperLotto plus in 2000.
This game doesn’t surprise you with a particularly unusual format or special bonuses. It’s a standard numerical draw-style game. Compared to some of its more significant relatives like Powerball, SuperLotto Plus isn’t as exciting. However, the odds of winning are much better, and the jackpots tend to grow. Thus, if you decide to play SuperLotto Plus at the right moment and you’re lucky enough, there is a possible chance for a pretty big win.
How Does SuperLotto Plus Work and How to Play
Now that you know what SuperLotto Plus is, let’s check out how it works.
For a chance to win the guaranteed jackpot, you have to select five SuperLotto Plus numbers in the range from one to 47 and one Mega number between one and 27. A single entry into one of the weekly drawings is going to cost you just one dollar.
You can select a quick pick if you don’t have favorite numbers to play. You also have advanced gaming options that allow you to participate in several consecutive upcoming drawings.
SuperLotto Plus drawings take place two times per week – on Wednesday and Saturday. Ticket sales stop at 7:45 p.m. on the night of each drawing, and they resume shortly after the lucky numbers have been chosen.
Anyone can buy SuperLotto Plus tickets as long as they’re of legal age in California and the US. There are no restrictions when it comes to the nationality of players. Anyone who is a legal resident of the United States can participate, regardless of their country of origin.
SuperLotto Plus Prizes and Odds
A SuperLotto Plus winner can enjoy a vast selection of exciting prize tiers.
Let’s start with the most important one – the jackpot.
All five main numbers and the Mega number need to be matched for the jackpot to be claimed. The odds of that happening are one in 41,416,353. There is a minimum guaranteed jackpot of seven million dollars. In the event of no winner, that sum will roll over toward the next drawing.
The biggest jackpot in the history of the game reached 120 million US dollars. That happened on August 24, 2002. This massive sum was reached after a previous 88-million-dollar jackpot failed to get won. Player interest was so high that the number of tickets bought for the upcoming drawing exceeded expectations. That’s how the jackpot made it up to the ginormous amount.
Apart from the jackpot, there are eight additional prize tiers. The smallest reward is reserved for those who match only the Mega number. The odds of that happening are one in 49, and the overall odds of winning a SuperLotto Plus prize are one in 23.
Numbers Matched | Mega Ball | Prize | The Odds of Winning |
5 Numbers | YES | $7,000,000, Rollover, Pari-mutuel* | 1 in 41,416,353 |
5 Numbers | NO | Pari-mutuel | 1 in 1,592,937 |
4 Numbers | YES | Pari-mutuel | 1 in 197,221 |
4 Numbers | NO | Pari-mutuel | 1 in 7,585 |
3 Numbers | YES | Pari-mutuel | 1 in 4,810 |
3 Numbers | NO | Pari-mutuel | 1 in 185 |
2 Numbers | YES | Pari-mutuel | 1 in 361 |
1 Number | YES | Pari-mutuel | 1 in 74 |
Only Mega Ball | YES | Pari-mutuel | 1 in 49 |
* SuperLotto Plus jackpot starts at $7,000,000 and grows (rolls over) at every no-winner draw.
Some Information for SuperLotto Plus Winners
In California, players have 180 days from the drawing date to come forward and make a prize claim.
Once the SuperLotto Plus results for the respective drawings become available, you can check your ticket and decide how you’re going to claim. For sums of up to 599 dollars, you can visit any retail location. The payout is going to be immediate.
You can collect your prize that exceeds 599 dollars from a Lottery District office or claim mail.
Jackpot winners will need to follow a different procedure. They have 60 days from the drawing date to decide how they’re going to be paid. By default, California pays out all jackpots in the form of 30 graduated annual installments.
A cash lump sum payment option is also available. Needless to say, if you choose this chance, you will receive a much smaller sum than the jackpot advertised for the respective drawing. State and federal taxes will also have to be accounted for when payouts are being made.
How to Play SuperLotto Plus Online
Unfortunately, California laws do not allow online ticket buying at the time. The California lottery website is only there to provide quick info on games and results. There’s also a mobile app, but you can use it to check your tickets and determine if you’ve won anything.
Many online lottery agencies do offer state games from the US as a part of their portfolio. If you’re interested in buying SuperLotto Plus tickets online, check with your favorite platform to find out if such an option is available.
To give you a complete overview, we have summed up some of the essential SuperLotto Plus pros and cons.
Why You Should Play SuperLotto
Pros:
An official game run by a state entity and regulated by law
A single ticket costs only one dollar
There are two drawings per week
The minimum guaranteed jackpot is seven million dollars
The jackpot will roll over in the event of no winner
A simple and relatively straightforward prize claim procedure
Both annuity and cash lump sum payout options available for the jackpot
Why You Shouldn’t Play SuperLotto
Cons:
The odds of winning the jackpot aren’t the best ones
There are no add-ons or bonus games you can activate for an additional payment
Online ticket buying isn’t available in California at the time being
Rewards are subjected to both state and federal taxes
Is SuperLotto Legit?
With its long and well-established history, SuperLotto Plus is anything but a scam.
Before looking at SuperLotto Plus works, let’s examine some of the game’s credentials and legitimacy essentials.
It’s run and operated by California State Lottery. The state lottery entity was set up in 1984, and it acts under a state proposition – The California State Lottery Act.
Through legislative changes over the years, the lottery has been obliged to return most of its proceeds to the public. A law signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010 increased the funds returned to California residents to 87 percent. This percentage includes both lottery prizes and money dedicated to social causes like education.
As you can see, SuperLotto Plus, just like other California lotteries, is regulated strictly. There’s nothing to worry about when it comes to playing the game.
If you’re not bothered by these shortcomings and live in California, give SuperLotto Plus a chance. Who knows, this could be your life-changing chance that you can activate by spending a single dollar!
Sila Lanos
This might not be a US Powerball level mega jackpot, but still a good win especially as there is no state tax. Okay, federal tax applies but still would be a great win! Nice they are clear that anyone can play this game!