Lottery COVID-19 Updates

As the COVID-19 crisis evolves, Lottery continues to follow all state, county and federal government guidance and directives. Our priority is to protect the health and safety of all Lottery employees, players, our retailer partners, and the general public during this crisis while continuing to fulfill our mission. 

We urge everyone to stay safe and follow state and local government recommendations. More information on California's response and guidelines for COVID-19 are available at the Statewide COVID-19 website.

 

Lottery District Offices Are Open for Claim Drop-Off

 

NOTICE: California Lottery District Offices are now open to the public for the secure acceptance of drop-off claims. We are only accepting completed claim forms for drop-off and procedures have been implemented at all District Offices to maximize health and safety for everyone. Plan your visit to Lottery District Offices by following the requirements here. 

We continue to encourage winners to claim their prize via mail and avoid a visit to the District Office. For complete instructions on how to claim a prize by mail, please visit our Claim A Prize page. Please note the processing time for claims may be delayed due to necessary observance of social distancing guidelines and procedures.

Lottery Headquarters are temporarily closed to the public, so viewing the nightly draw in person will not be possible until further notice.

 

Scratchers Availability

California Lottery offices, facilities and games continue to operate, and have been impacted by recent public health and safety guidelines. In order to maximize the health and safety of our team members and of the public, the Lottery is following strict social distancing protocols at our distribution centers, our district offices, our headquarters and all other points of our supply chain. While we continue to ship Scratchers® to our retailers, there is an extended delay in fulfilling orders, and your retailer may not have all Scratchers® in stock. Thank you to our retailers and players for your patience during these unprecedented times.

 

Powerball® Game Update

Due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the national Powerball Product Group has taken additional steps to ensure that ticket sales can support the Powerball jackpot and lower-tier prizes.  Minimum starting jackpot amounts and minimum jackpot increases have been eliminated. Future jackpots will instead be determined by sales and the estimated amount for each draw will be advertised as usual.

These changes are expected to remain in effect for the foreseeable future. Please check the California Lottery website, mobile app, and retail signage for the most up-to-date jackpot amounts. The game matrix, odds and $2 price point remain the same.

Powerball Advance Play - Due to game changes outlined above, the California Lottery is offering a refund option for Powerball Advance Plays meeting these criteria:

All Advance Play purchases are still valid and Advance Play is still available if players wish to participate. This refund is only applicable to Advance Play purchases made for Powerball and Mega Millions during the specified timeframe and specific draws listed above.

 

Mega Millions® Game Update

The Mega Millions Consortium has adjusted the game’s starting jackpot and will determine the amounts of subsequent starting jackpots and jackpot increases on a drawing-by-drawing basis. The changes are in direct response to slowing sales during the current global COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The starting jackpot and the rate at which the jackpot increases will be established based on game sales and interest rates, with no fixed minimum amount. These changes are expected to remain in effect for the foreseeable future. Please check the California Lottery website, mobile app, and retail signage for the most up-to-date jackpot amounts. The game matrix, odds and $2 price point remain the same.

Mega Millions Advance Play - Due to game changes outlined above, the California Lottery is offering a refund option for Mega Millions Advance Plays meeting these criteria:

All Advance Play purchases are still valid and Advance Play is still available if players wish to participate. This refund is only applicable to Advance Play purchases made for Powerball and Mega Millions during the specified timeframe and specific draws listed above.