Iowa Scratchers Report — May 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
Iowa has 50 active scratch-off games this month. The best current value is 500X at -22.2% ROI. 4 new games launched recently with all prizes intact.
Over the past 31 days, scratch-off games in this state paid out approximately $10.1 million in prizes, averaging $324,499 per day across 50 active games. The overall prize pool decreased by 49.4% during this period, with 881,430 individual prizes claimed across all tiers. 500X leads in prize activity with $4.7 million claimed ($50 ticket). 9 top prizes remain. Ruby Red Crossword follows with $754,190 in claims.
Data period: May 1–26, 2026 · 50 active games analyzed · Updated from official Iowa Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 50 |
| Positive ROI Games | 0 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -78.0% |
| Best Game | 500X ($50) at -22.2% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 0 games |
| New Releases | 4 games |
Top 10 Best Value Games
These Iowa 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 | 500X | $50 | -22.2% | $38.91 | $500,000 | 9 |
| 2 | Silver Streak | $10 | -50.1% | $4.99 | $100,000 | 1 |
| 3 | Top Dollar | $30 | -54.0% | $13.80 | $250,000 | 7 |
| 4 | Lucky 7 Bonus | $20 | -54.5% | $9.11 | $250,000 | 4 |
| 5 | Ultimate Winnings | $20 | -60.5% | $7.90 | $100,000 | 19 |
| 6 | Hit $250 | $10 | -61.0% | $3.90 | $500 | 167 |
| 7 | $50 and $100 Frenzy | $5 | -61.0% | $1.95 | $100 | 1547 |
| 8 | Crazy Wild Ca$h | $10 | -61.2% | $3.88 | $50,000 | 14 |
| 9 | Instant Jackpot | $10 | -64.8% | $3.52 | $100,000 | 5 |
| 10 | $100,000 Mega Crossword | $10 | -66.9% | $3.31 | $100,000 | 37 |
No Iowa games currently have positive ROI, but the top performers in the -18% to -22% range represent significantly better value than the state average of -78.0%. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby Red Crossword | $30 | $300,000 | 3 | -74.8% |
| Silver Streak | $10 | $100,000 | 1 | -50.1% |
| X the Money | $10 | $100,000 | 1 | -69.2% |
| MONEY | $10 | $100,000 | 2 | -72.9% |
| JURASSIC WORLD | $10 | $100,000 | 2 | -76.1% |
| Golden Riches | $10 | $100,000 | 3 | -76.2% |
| SCRABBLE™ Crossword Game | $10 | $100,000 | 3 | -83.3% |
| Quick Cash | $5 | $50,000 | 2 | -79.7% |
| Joker’s Wild | $5 | $50,000 | 3 | -81.0% |
| PAC-MAN® | $5 | $50,000 | 1 | -81.8% |
| $50,000 Jackpot | $5 | $50,000 | 3 | -88.6% |
| Scratch, Match & Win! | $5 | $50,000 | 2 | -89.0% |
3 games are down to the last top prize. The largest unclaimed top prize in Iowa is $300,000 on Ruby Red Crossword ($30 ticket).
New Releases
Iowa launched 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500X | $50 | -22.2% | $500,000 | 1 in 4.33 |
| Diamond Dollars | $10 | -71.5% | $100,000 | 1 in 2.86 |
| Lucky Clover Crossword | $5 | -71.8% | $50,000 | 1 in 3.83 |
| Mega Money | $2 | -87.6% | $20,000 | 1 in 3.88 |
500X is the standout new release at -22.2% ROI — better than average for a $50 ticket.
Smart Strategy: Best Combos
Our alternative strategy analysis found that some Iowa 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 $50 and $100 Frenzy ($5) instead — that’s +133.7% more expected value for the same spend.
| Price Tier | Games Beaten | Best Combo | EV Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2 | 0/8 | 2x Triple Luck ($1) | +33.2% |
| $3 | 0/9 | 1x Xtra Bingo ($2) + 1x Triple Luck ($1) | +40.9% |
| $5 | 0/12 | 1x Lucky Stars ($3) + 1x Xtra Bingo ($2) | +43.3% |
| $10 | 0/12 | 2x $50 and $100 Frenzy ($5) | +45% |
| $20 | 0/3 | 2x Silver Streak ($10) | +31.3% |
| $30 | 0/2 | 3x Silver Streak ($10) | +53.2% |
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 Iowa price points?
| Price | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game | Best ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 3 | -92.7% | Triple Luck | -87.2% |
| $2 | 8 | -89.3% | Xtra Bingo | -85.2% |
| $3 | 9 | -85.5% | Lucky Stars | -79.9% |
| $5 | 12 | -81.2% | $50 and $100 Frenzy | -61.0% |
| $10 | 12 | -69.0% | Silver Streak | -50.1% |
| $20 | 3 | -61.1% | Lucky 7 Bonus | -54.5% |
| $30 | 2 | -64.4% | Top Dollar | -54.0% |
| $50 | 1 | -22.2% | 500X | -22.2% |
The $20 tier offers the best average value at -61.1% ROI, while the $1 tier is the weakest at -92.7%. The gap between best and worst tiers is 32 percentage points.
How to Use This Data
- Check live rankings: This report is a snapshot. For real-time data, visit the Iowa 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 Iowa stacks up against other states in our National Scratchers Report.
Iowa Lottery Quick Facts
- Official website: ialottery.com
- State tax on winnings: 5% state tax (plus 24% federal withholding on prizes over $5,000)
- Active scratch-off games: 50 (as of May 2026)
Related Resources
- Iowa 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.