The least-bad California scratch-off at every price, ranked by real after-tax value. Updated October 1, 2026.
Almost every scratch-off loses money on average — these lose the least after the lump-sum cut and federal + California taxes, and still have a top prize left to win. Hard-to-find tickets are flagged so you don't waste a trip.
Straight 8's returns about $0.53 per $1 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 22 of 90 $888 top prizes left — the best of 6 $1 games in California.
👻 Hard to find — sales have slowed, but it's still out there
$pring Green returns about $1.15 per $2 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 7 of 15 $20K top prizes left — the best of 13 $2 games in California.
Tripling Bonus Crossword returns about $1.75 per $3 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 7 of 20 $20K top prizes left — the best of 9 $3 games in California.
Cash Crush returns about $3.31 per $5 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 6 of 14 $250K top prizes left — the best of 19 $5 games in California.
$50 or $100 returns about $7.30 per $10 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 159467 of 276255 $100 top prizes left — the best of 18 $10 games in California.
$100 or $200 returns about $15.21 per $20 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 62438 of 424075 $200 top prizes left — the best of 17 $20 games in California.
👻 Hard to find — sales have slowed, but it's still out there
Celebrate 2026 returns about $14.15 per $25 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 5 of 15 $250K top prizes left — the best of 1 $25 games in California.
200X returns about $20.50 per $30 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 10 of 10 $750K top prizes left — the best of 5 $30 games in California.
Best & worst California scratch-offs, with full odds →
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