Missouri Scratchers Report — May 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
Missouri has 45 active scratch-off games this month. While none currently have positive ROI, 24K GOLD leads at -12.4% — one of the better values in the state. 1 game has lost all top prizes — avoid those. 7 new games launched recently with all prizes intact.
Over the past 31 days, scratch-off games in this state paid out approximately $73.6 million in prizes, averaging $2.4 million per day across 42 active games. 500X PAYOUT leads in prize activity with $13.0 million claimed ($50 ticket). 2 top prizes remain. MILLIONAIRE RICHES follows with $6.2 million in claims.
Data period: May 1–26, 2026 · 45 active games analyzed · Updated from official Missouri Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 45 |
| Positive ROI Games | 0 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -27.4% |
| Best Game | 24K GOLD ($20) at -12.4% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 1 games |
| New Releases | 7 games |
Top 10 Best Value Games
These Missouri 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 | 24K GOLD | $20 | -12.4% | $17.53 | $2,000,000 | 1 |
| 2 | $1,000,000 WINNINGS | $10 | -15.1% | $8.49 | $1,000,000 | 1 |
| 3 | SUPER 7S | $30 | -16.4% | $25.08 | $3,000,000 | 3 |
| 4 | $1,000,000 MONEY MULTIPLIER | $10 | -17.4% | $8.26 | $1,000,000 | 1 |
| 5 | 300X | $30 | -18.0% | $24.60 | $3,000,000 | 1 |
| 6 | $250 MILLION EXTRAVAGANZA | $50 | -18.6% | $40.72 | $5,000,000 | 2 |
| 7 | MILLIONAIRE RICHES | $50 | -18.8% | $40.58 | $1,000,000 | 13 |
| 8 | 500X PAYOUT | $50 | -19.4% | $40.28 | $5,000,000 | 2 |
| 9 | $3 MILLION* SUPREME | $30 | -21.0% | $23.71 | $3,000,000 | 1 |
| 10 | $1,000,000 CASH PAYOUT | $10 | -21.4% | $7.86 | $1,000,000 | 1 |
No Missouri games currently have positive ROI, but the top performers in the -18% to -22% range represent significantly better value than the state average of -27.4%. For context, a -20% ROI means you get back $0.80 for every $1.00 spent on average.
Games to Avoid: All Top Prizes Claimed
These 1 games have had all top prizes claimed. Their expected value has dropped significantly, making them the worst value options in Missouri right now.
| Game | Price | ROI | Original Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10X THE CASH | $1 | -38.6% | $5,000 |
When a game’s top prize is claimed, its expected value drops — often by 5–15 percentage points of ROI. These games are still playable, but you’re paying for a prize pool that no longer includes the biggest payouts. Learn more about how top prize claims affect value →
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250 MILLION EXTRAVAGANZA | $50 | $5,000,000 | 2 | -18.6% |
| 500X PAYOUT | $50 | $5,000,000 | 2 | -19.4% |
| SUPER 7S | $30 | $3,000,000 | 3 | -16.4% |
| 300X | $30 | $3,000,000 | 1 | -18.0% |
| $3 MILLION* SUPREME | $30 | $3,000,000 | 1 | -21.0% |
| 24K GOLD | $20 | $2,000,000 | 1 | -12.4% |
| DIAMONDS & GOLD | $20 | $2,000,000 | 1 | -21.5% |
| 40TH ANNIVERSARY | $20 | $2,000,000 | 1 | -21.5% |
| $2,000,000* PLATINUM PAYOUT | $20 | $2,000,000 | 1 | -22.0% |
| MAGNIFICENT MILLIONS | $20 | $2,000,000 | 1 | -22.0% |
| $2,000,000* JACKPOT FORTUNE | $20 | $2,000,000 | 1 | -22.6% |
| 200X CASH BLITZ | $20 | $2,000,000 | 1 | -23.0% |
20 games are down to the last top prize. The largest unclaimed top prize in Missouri is $5,000,000 on $250 MILLION EXTRAVAGANZA ($50 ticket).
New Releases
Missouri launched 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICA 250 | $10 | -25.5% | $250,000 | 1 in 3.3 |
| $250,000 CROSSWORD | $10 | -25.5% | $250,000 | 1 in 3.24 |
| JOKERS WILD | $5 | -31.0% | $100,000 | 1 in 3.99 |
| $100,000 BINGO MULTIPLIER 25X | $5 | -31.4% | $100,005 | 1 in 3.82 |
| U.S. SOCCER | $5 | -32.6% | $500 | 1 in 4.06 |
| HOT 7S | $1 | -33.1% | $7,777 | 1 in 4.73 |
| MONEY BAGS MULTIPLIER | $2 | -33.6% | $25,000 | 1 in 4.46 |
Smart Strategy: Best Combos
Our alternative strategy analysis found that some Missouri games can be beaten by buying a combination of cheaper tickets with higher total expected value.
Top recommendation: At the $20 price point, buy 2x $1,000,000 WINNINGS ($10) instead — that’s +13.2% more expected value for the same spend.
| Price Tier | Games Beaten | Best Combo | EV Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2 | 0/3 | 2x HOT 7S ($1) | +3.7% |
| $3 | 0/1 | 3x HOT 7S ($1) | +3.1% |
| $5 | 0/13 | 5x HOT 7S ($1) | +1.6% |
| $20 | 0/8 | 2x $1,000,000 WINNINGS ($10) | +9.6% |
| $30 | 0/3 | 1x 24K GOLD ($20) + 1x $1,000,000 WINNINGS ($10) | +6.4% |
| $50 | 0/3 | 2x 24K GOLD ($20) + 1x $1,000,000 WINNINGS ($10) | +7.5% |
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 Missouri price points?
| Price | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game | Best ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 3 | -35.2% | HOT 7S | -33.1% |
| $2 | 4 | -35.0% | MONEY BAGS MULTIPLIER | -33.6% |
| $3 | 1 | -35.2% | COSMIC CROSSWORD | -35.2% |
| $5 | 14 | -33.4% | JOKERS WILD | -31.0% |
| $10 | 9 | -22.5% | $1,000,000 WINNINGS | -15.1% |
| $20 | 8 | -21.2% | 24K GOLD | -12.4% |
| $30 | 3 | -18.5% | SUPER 7S | -16.4% |
| $50 | 3 | -19.0% | $250 MILLION EXTRAVAGANZA | -18.6% |
The $30 tier offers the best average value at -18.5% ROI, while the $1 tier is the weakest at -35.2%. The gap between best and worst tiers is 17 percentage points.
How to Use This Data
- Check live rankings: This report is a snapshot. For real-time data, visit the Missouri 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 Missouri stacks up against other states in our National Scratchers Report.
Missouri Lottery Quick Facts
- Official website: molottery.com
- State tax on winnings: 4.8% state tax (plus 24% federal withholding on prizes over $5,000)
- Active scratch-off games: 45 (as of May 2026)
Related Resources
- Missouri 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.
