California Scratchers Report — May 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
California has 58 active scratch-off games this month. While none currently have positive ROI, 7’s leads at -11.1% — one of the better values in the state. 58 new games launched recently with all prizes intact.
Over the past 31 days, scratch-off games in this state paid out approximately $402.8 million in prizes, averaging $13.0 million per day across 58 active games. Mystery Crossword leads in prize activity with $38.2 million claimed ($10 ticket). 23 top prizes remain. Crossword Xtreme follows with $33.3 million in claims.
Data period: May 1–26, 2026 · 58 active games analyzed · Updated from official California Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 58 |
| Positive ROI Games | 0 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -36.7% |
| Best Game | 7’s ($30) at -11.1% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 0 games |
| New Releases | 58 games |
Top 10 Best Value Games
These California scratch-off games currently offer the highest Return on Investment (ROI) — meaning they return the most money per dollar spent based on remaining prizes.
| # | Game | Price | ROI | EV | Top Prize | Top Left |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7’s | $30 | -11.1% | $26.68 | $10,000,000 | 4 |
| 2 | 100X | $20 | -18.7% | $16.26 | $5,000,000 | 3 |
| 3 | 40 Years of Play! | $40 | -19.6% | $32.15 | $15,000,000 | 1 |
| 4 | Instant Prize Crossword | $20 | -22.7% | $15.47 | $2,000,000 | 2 |
| 5 | Double The Luck | $20 | -23.5% | $15.31 | $5,000,000 | 2 |
| 6 | $100 or $200 | $20 | -23.9% | $15.21 | $200 | 95316 |
| 7 | $100 or $200 Frenzy | $20 | -24.0% | $15.19 | $200 | 295029 |
| 8 | Cash King | $20 | -24.9% | $15.03 | $5,000,000 | 2 |
| 9 | set for life | $20 | -25.3% | $14.95 | $5,000,000 | 6 |
| 10 | Celebrate 2026 | $25 | -26.0% | $18.50 | $7,500,000 | 2 |
No California games currently have positive ROI, but the top performers in the -18% to -22% range represent significantly better value than the state average of -36.7%. For context, a -20% ROI means you get back $0.80 for every $1.00 spent on average.
Top Prize Watch List
These games have 3 or fewer top prizes remaining. When claimed, expect a measurable drop in value.
| Game | Price | Top Prize | Remaining | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 Years of Play! | $40 | $15,000,000 | 1 | -19.6% |
| Royal Jackpot | $40 | $15,000,000 | 3 | -29.5% |
| Celebrate 2026 | $25 | $7,500,000 | 2 | -26.0% |
| 100X | $20 | $5,000,000 | 3 | -18.7% |
| Double The Luck | $20 | $5,000,000 | 2 | -23.5% |
| Cash King | $20 | $5,000,000 | 2 | -24.9% |
| Show Me $5,000,000! | $20 | $5,000,000 | 2 | -32.2% |
| Instant Prize Crossword | $20 | $2,000,000 | 2 | -22.7% |
| Instant Prize Crossword | $20 | $2,000,000 | 3 | -32.7% |
| LOTERIA™ Grande | $10 | $1,000,000 | 3 | -30.6% |
| California Jackpot | $10 | $1,000,000 | 3 | -31.2% |
| Power 10’S | $10 | $1,000,000 | 3 | -41.1% |
2 games are down to the last top prize. The largest unclaimed top prize in California is $15,000,000 on 40 Years of Play! ($40 ticket).
New Releases
California launched 58 new games recently. New games start with all prizes intact, making them a solid starting point for value-conscious players.
| Game | Price | ROI | Top Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7’s | $30 | -11.1% | $10,000,000 | 1 in 2.71 |
| 100X | $20 | -18.7% | $5,000,000 | 1 in 3 |
| 40 Years of Play! | $40 | -19.6% | $15,000,000 | 1 in 2.85 |
| Instant Prize Crossword | $20 | -22.7% | $2,000,000 | 1 in 3.1 |
| Double The Luck | $20 | -23.5% | $5,000,000 | 1 in 3.67 |
| $100 or $200 | $20 | -23.9% | $200 | 1 in 7.94 |
| $100 or $200 Frenzy | $20 | -24.0% | $200 | 1 in 7.94 |
| Cash King | $20 | -24.9% | $5,000,000 | 1 in 3 |
| set for life | $20 | -25.3% | $5,000,000 | 1 in 3.32 |
| Celebrate 2026 | $25 | -26.0% | $7,500,000 | 1 in 2.93 |
| $50 or $100! | $10 | -27.1% | $100 | 1 in 8.13 |
| MONOPOLY | $20 | -28.4% | $5,000,000 | 1 in 3.32 |
| Crossword Xtreme | $30 | -29.2% | $7,000,000 | 1 in 2.72 |
| Royal Jackpot | $40 | -29.5% | $15,000,000 | 1 in 2.43 |
| $1,000,000 Poker | $10 | -29.8% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.5 |
| $5,000,000 Superstar | $20 | -30.0% | $5,000,000 | 1 in 3.43 |
| 100X The Cash | $20 | -30.1% | $5,000,000 | 1 in 3.32 |
| LOTERIA™ Grande | $10 | -30.6% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.5 |
| $1,000,000 Money Mania | $10 | -30.8% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.42 |
| California Color Pop | $10 | -30.8% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.5 |
| California Jackpot | $10 | -31.2% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.42 |
| Red, White & Blue 7’s | $5 | -31.3% | $250,000 | 1 in 4.73 |
| Cash Crush | $5 | -32.1% | $250,000 | 1 in 4.53 |
| Show Me $5,000,000! | $20 | -32.2% | $5,000,000 | 1 in 3.32 |
| California Dreamin’ | $5 | -32.4% | $555,555 | 1 in 3.75 |
| Instant Prize Crossword | $20 | -32.7% | $2,000,000 | 1 in 3.1 |
| Red Carpet Riches | $20 | -34.1% | $2,000,000 | 1 in 3.1 |
| Instant Prize Crossword | $20 | -35.8% | $2,000,000 | 1 in 3.1 |
| JAWS | $5 | -35.9% | $500,000 | 1 in 3.81 |
| Tic Tac Toe Bonus | $5 | -37.8% | $250,000 | 1 in 3.76 |
| Mystery Crossword | $10 | -38.0% | $750,000 | 1 in 3.47 |
| Full of 500’s | $5 | -40.2% | $500 | 1 in 4.43 |
| Poker Night | $5 | -40.2% | $75,000 | 1 in 3.62 |
| MEGA Crossword | $5 | -40.3% | $75,000 | 1 in 3.82 |
| Power 10’S | $10 | -41.1% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.3 |
| Tripling Bonus Crossword | $3 | -41.1% | $20,000 | 1 in 3.34 |
| LOTERIA™ Extra! | $5 | -42.3% | $100,000 | 1 in 3.51 |
| Winner Winner Chicken Dinner | $5 | -42.4% | $250,000 | 1 in 4.77 |
| Fireball Bingo | $3 | -43.4% | $20,000 | 1 in 3.61 |
| $pring Green | $2 | -43.4% | $20,000 | 1 in 4.25 |
| Feeling Lucky | $5 | -44.0% | $250,000 | 1 in 4.77 |
| LOTERIA™ | $3 | -44.1% | $30,000 | 1 in 3.74 |
| GOOOAAAL! | $2 | -44.3% | $20,000 | 1 in 4.09 |
| Dominoes | $2 | -44.3% | $30,000 | 1 in 4.1 |
| 10X The Cash | $2 | -44.6% | $30,000 | 1 in 4.16 |
| MONOPOLY | $2 | -45.0% | $30,000 | 1 in 4.1 |
| Rockin’ Riches | $1 | -45.6% | $5,000 | 1 in 4.34 |
| Your Lucky Stars | $2 | -45.9% | $20,000 | 1 in 4.09 |
| Four Leaf Frenzy | $1 | -47.4% | $5,000 | 1 in 4.56 |
| 15X | $3 | -48.2% | $30,000 | 1 in 3.78 |
| Straight 8’s | $1 | -48.7% | $888 | 1 in 4.59 |
| LOTERIA™ | $3 | -49.3% | $30,000 | 1 in 3.74 |
| Bingo Extra | $3 | -50.4% | $20,000 | 1 in 3.61 |
| The Lucky Spot! | $1 | -50.6% | $1,000 | 1 in 4.78 |
| Winter Double Match | $2 | -50.8% | $20,000 | 1 in 4.27 |
| Year of the Horse | $1 | -52.9% | $888 | 1 in 4.59 |
| Tic Tac Toe Craze | $2 | -53.3% | $20,000 | 1 in 4.24 |
| Mystery Crossword | $10 | -53.4% | $750,000 | 1 in 3.47 |
7’s is the standout new release at -11.1% ROI — better than average for a $30 ticket.
Smart Strategy: Best Combos
Our alternative strategy analysis found that some California games can be beaten by buying a combination of cheaper tickets with higher total expected value.
Top recommendation: At the $10 price point, buy 2x Red, White & Blue 7’s ($5) instead — that’s +47.4% more expected value for the same spend.
| Price Tier | Games Beaten | Best Combo | EV Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2 | 0/8 | 2x Rockin’ Riches ($1) | +9.1% |
| $3 | 0/6 | 1x $pring Green ($2) + 1x Rockin’ Riches ($1) | +7.7% |
| $5 | 0/11 | 1x Tripling Bonus Crossword ($3) + 1x $pring Green ($2) | +1.6% |
| $10 | 0/9 | 2x Red, White & Blue 7’s ($5) | +24.9% |
| $20 | 0/14 | 2x $50 or $100! ($10) | +7.1% |
| $25 | 0/1 | 1x 100X ($20) + 1x Red, White & Blue 7’s ($5) | +6.4% |
| $30 | 0/2 | 1x 100X ($20) + 1x $50 or $100! ($10) | +10.8% |
| $40 | 0/2 | 1x 7’s ($30) + 1x $50 or $100! ($10) | +13.1% |
Combo strategies work best when there’s a significant value gap between price tiers. Learn more about why splitting your budget often wins →
Price Tier Breakdown
How does value distribute across California price points?
| Price | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game | Best ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 5 | -49.0% | Rockin’ Riches | -45.6% |
| $2 | 8 | -46.5% | $pring Green | -43.4% |
| $3 | 6 | -46.1% | Tripling Bonus Crossword | -41.1% |
| $5 | 11 | -38.1% | Red, White & Blue 7’s | -31.3% |
| $10 | 9 | -34.8% | $50 or $100! | -27.1% |
| $20 | 14 | -27.6% | 100X | -18.7% |
| $25 | 1 | -26.0% | Celebrate 2026 | -26.0% |
| $30 | 2 | -20.1% | 7’s | -11.1% |
| $40 | 2 | -24.6% | 40 Years of Play! | -19.6% |
The $30 tier offers the best average value at -20.1% ROI, while the $1 tier is the weakest at -49.0%. The gap between best and worst tiers is 29 percentage points.
How to Use This Data
- Check live rankings: This report is a snapshot. For real-time data, visit the California scratch-off rankings page — updated daily.
- Understand the math: If ROI and EV are new concepts, start with The Math of Scratchers guide.
- Compare nationally: See how California stacks up against other states in our National Scratchers Report.
California Lottery Quick Facts
- Official website: calottery.com
- State tax on winnings: No state tax on lottery winnings (plus 24% federal withholding on prizes over $5,000)
- Active scratch-off games: 58 (as of May 2026)
Related Resources
- California Scratch-Off Games — Live Rankings
- The Math of Scratchers: Odds vs. EV vs. ROI Explained
- Why Buying 2× $5 Tickets Often Beats One $10 Ticket
- Fastest Selling Scratchers in America
- April 2026 National Scratchers Report
- Our Full Methodology
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. All data is sourced from official state lottery websites and is updated regularly, but we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. Lottery games are games of chance, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Please play responsibly and never spend more than you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.