If you entered a California Lottery second chance drawing, there are a few ways to find out if you won a prize. The California Lottery offers second chance drawings for some Scratchers games and Powerball/MegaMillions tickets. Here’s what you need to know about checking if you won a second chance lottery prize in California:
Check Your Email
The first thing to do is check the email account you used to enter the second chance drawing. The California Lottery will send an email notifying winners that their entry was selected in the drawing. This email will come from the official CA Lottery email address and contain instructions on how to claim your prize. Be sure to check your inbox, spam folder, and any other folders just in case the email got filtered.
Log In to Your Lottery Account
If you have a California Lottery online account that you used to enter the second chance drawing, log in and check for any notifications. Your account dashboard will display any recent prize notifications if you won a second chance drawing. This is another way the Lottery contacts winners in addition to email.
Check the Winner List
After a second chance drawing occurs, the California Lottery publishes an official list of winners on its website. Visit calottery.com and go to the page for the specific drawing you entered. There should be a “Winners” section that shows the winning entries. Search for your information to see if you are listed as a winner. The Lottery updates this constantly in the days following the drawing.
Wait for Mail Notification
For larger second chance prizes like vacation packages or cars, the Lottery may mail out an official notification letter to the address you provided. This letter will come via certified mail and inform you to begin the prize claim process. If you entered a big ticket second chance drawing, keep an eye on your mailbox for an official notification from the Lottery.
Call the Lottery Hotline
If you don’t see any notifications come through, but still think you may have won, call the California Lottery hotline at 1-800-LOTTERY. Choose the menu option to speak to someone about second chance drawings. Provide the details of the drawing you entered and they can look up your status. This way you will know for sure whether you won a second chance prize.
When Do Drawings Occur?
Second chance drawings are usually held within a month or two after the Scratcher game ends or when Powerball/MegaMillions tickets expire. For example, a Scratchers game may end on 12/31 but the second chance drawing won’t happen until 2/15. Check the rules for the specific drawing to see when they expect to pick winners. That will give you an idea of when to start looking out for notifications.
How to Enter Second Chance Drawings
To enter a California Lottery second chance drawing, first you need an eligible non-winning ticket. Scratchers second chance games will be advertised on the tickets themselves. For Powerball and MegaMillions, save your tickets until they expire.
Next, sign up for a Lottery account online if you don’t already have one. Provide your contact information and set up your account profile. Once your account is created, you can enter eligible tickets into second chance drawings.
For Scratchers, enter the ticket serial number from the front of the ticket. Make sure to avoid duplicates. For Powerball and MegaMillions, enter the ticket serial number and unique drawing number under the play area. Enter your tickets before the expiration date printed.
Once your eligible tickets are entered, you are automatically included in the corresponding second chance drawings. The number of entries depends on the game rules. Then wait for the drawing and check for winner notifications via email, your account, the lottery website, mail, or phone call.
What Kinds of Prizes Can You Win?
Second chance drawings offer Cash prizes ranging from $500 up to $1 million for some games. You can also win merchandise like electronics, cars, trips and more. The prizes will vary for each drawing and are outlined in the official rules. Some examples of recent prizes include:
- $30,000 cash
- $100 grocery gift cards
- Camping vacation packages
- Home entertainment systems
- Ford Mustangs
- $500 shopping sprees
With Scratchers tickets, you get a second chance at winning if you don’t win on your first try. Powerball and MegaMillions offer prize giveaways as a bonus.
Are Second Chance Drawings in Other States?
Yes, many state lotteries around the country offer second chance drawings. States like Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, New York and more allow players to enter non-winning tickets for a chance to win additional prizes. Rules and entry requirements vary in each state.
Some states require mailed entry while California conveniently allows online submissions. Prizes also differ – some have much larger jackpots while CA focuses more on vacations and merchandise. Check with your local lottery to see if they offer second chance games.
Strategies for Winning Second Chance Prizes
While second chance prizes come down to luck in the drawing, there are some tips to increase your odds and chances of winning:
- Enter every eligible ticket – playing more often increases odds
- Take advantage of bonus entries – some games provide extra entries
- Check for alternate entry methods – mailing in tickets, etc
- Play second chance games with better odds – lower number of entries
- Claim prizes quickly – some have short timeframes to collect winnings
The more eligible entries you submit, the better your chances to win a major prize. Review the rules for bonus entries and special entry promotions. Don’t miss deadlines and jump through all the right hoops to claim your prize if you win big!
Are Second Chance Winnings Taxable?
Yes, any Cash prizes won through a lottery second chance drawing are taxable income in California. If you win $600 or more, the California Lottery will automatically withhold federal taxes at a rate of 24%. You will need to report the winnings on your tax return.
For merchandise prizes over $5,000 in value, you will owe taxes on the fair market value. Make sure to save receipts for these types of prizes in case you need to show proof when filing taxes. Consult a tax professional if you have questions about reporting lottery winnings.
Can You Enter Tickets From Other States?
Unfortunately, the California Lottery second chance drawings only accept tickets purchased in California. Other states also restrict their drawings to local tickets. So you cannot enter an out of state ticket into the CA lottery app or website.
Make sure to buy your lottery tickets when visiting California if you want a chance to enter the second chance contests. Each state lottery has different rules, so check before purchasing tickets and hoping to submit the losers.
What Games Offer Second Chances in California?
Here are some of the current and recent games that have offered second chance drawings in California:
- Scratchers – Various games throughout the year will feature second chance contests, check the tickets
- Powerball – Drawings when tickets expire
- MegaMillions – Drawings when tickets expire
- Fantasy 5 – Periodic drawings all year
- Daily Derby – Daily drawings for Horse Racing theme
Make sure to check the California Lottery website for full details and rules on entering current games. The lottery frequently introduces new Scratcher ticket games that include fun second chance promotions.
Should You Buy Scratchers Just for Second Chance?
This comes down to your personal preferences and bankroll. If you can afford to purchase extra Scratchers solely to generate more second chance entries, it could increase your odds. But you are spending more money upfront without a guarantee of winning.
Weigh the costs against the potential prizes and your overall lottery budget. Buying extra tickets just for second chance contests is risky. But some players think it’s worth it for a shot at huge prizes like $1 million or exotic vacations!
Recent Big Second Chance Winners
Here are some noteworthy recent big winners from California Lottery second chance drawings:
- Pasadena resident won $1 million prize (October 2022)
- Sacramento man won new Ford Mustang (September 2022)
- Los Angeles woman won Hawaiian vacation package (August 2022)
- San Diego teacher won $100K Cash prize (June 2022)
- Riverside couple won camper trailer (May 2022)
You can browse the Lottery website winner’s gallery and news to see real locals who became major second chance winners. It really pays off for some lucky players!
