These 30 stores have sold the biggest lottery prizes in California — ranked by largest prize sold. The top store sold a prize worth $2.04B.
🎲“Luckiest” ranks past prize history only — no store on this list is more likely to sell a future winner. Every ticket sold anywhere has the same odds. For entertainment purposes only.
About Prize-Winning Lottery Retailers in California
The 30 stores listed here are the California lottery retailers that have sold the biggest prizes — from multi-million dollar Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots to top-tier scratch ticket winners. Every retailer is ranked by the largest single prize sold at that location.
California participates in Powerball, Mega Millions, SuperLotto Plus and more. Tickets are sold at licensed retailers statewide — gas stations, convenience stores, supermarkets, and specialty shops. High-volume locations sell more tickets, so they naturally rack up more winning tickets over time — that's a reflection of sales volume, not better odds. Every individual ticket has exactly the same odds no matter where it's purchased.
The top prize-winning retailer in California sold a prize worth $2.04B. Combined, the 30 tracked retailers have sold $3.30B in prizes.
How Buying and Claiming Works in California
Any of the licensed retailers above — and thousands more across California that simply haven't sold a documented major prize yet — can sell you a ticket for whichever games the state offers. There's no special line, membership, or app required at the register; you ask for the game by name, pick your numbers or take a quick pick, and pay like any other purchase. Most locations that sell lottery tickets also cash small prizes (typically under $600) on the spot, which is the fastest way to collect if you match a few numbers on a draw game or hit a modest scratch-off prize.
California does not withhold state income tax on lottery winnings. California specifically exempts lottery winnings from state income tax by statute — you'll still owe federal tax. Federal withholding of 24% still applies to prizes over $5,000. When it comes to staying out of the spotlight, winner identity is public record in California: California does not offer statutory anonymity; winner name and city become public record.
For bigger prizes, you'll typically need to visit an official California Lottery claim center rather than the store where you bought the ticket — bring a government photo ID, the signed ticket, and be ready to fill out a claim form. Jackpot-sized wins from Powerball or Mega Millions almost always require scheduling an appointment and may involve a short waiting period before funds are released while the ticket is validated. California gives winners 365 days from the draw date to come forward, so don't let a winning ticket sit in a drawer.