North Carolina Scratchers Report — May 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
North Carolina has 82 active scratch-off games this month. While none currently have positive ROI, $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe leads at -8.3% — one of the better values in the state. 2 games have lost all top prizes — avoid those. 25 new games launched recently with all prizes intact.
Over the past 31 days, scratch-off games in this state paid out approximately $176.8 million in prizes, averaging $5.7 million per day across 82 active games. $8 Million Money Maker leads in prize activity with $24.4 million claimed ($50 ticket). Only 1 top prize remains. 500X The Cash follows with $23.1 million in claims.
Data period: May 1–26, 2026 · 82 active games analyzed · Updated from official North Carolina Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 82 |
| Positive ROI Games | 0 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -28.8% |
| Best Game | $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe ($20) at -8.3% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 2 games |
| New Releases | 25 games |
Top 10 Best Value Games
These North Carolina 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 | $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe | $20 | -8.3% | $18.34 | $2,000,000 | 2 |
| 2 | Win Big | $20 | -13.9% | $17.22 | $2,000,000 | 2 |
| 3 | $5,000,000 Ultimate | $30 | -14.5% | $25.66 | $5,000,000 | 3 |
| 4 | Black Titanium | $30 | -15.7% | $25.30 | $4,000,000 | 1 |
| 5 | 200X The Cash | $30 | -16.3% | $25.12 | $5,000,000 | 3 |
| 6 | 500X The Cash | $50 | -16.6% | $41.68 | $10,000,000 | 5 |
| 7 | Ultimate Blowout | $50 | -17.4% | $41.32 | $5,000 | 123 |
| 8 | Millionaire Bucks | $30 | -17.9% | $24.64 | $5,000,000 | 3 |
| 9 | Ruby Red 7’s | $20 | -18.0% | $16.40 | $2,000,000 | 2 |
| 10 | 200X The Cash | $30 | -18.3% | $24.52 | $5,000,000 | 3 |
No North Carolina games currently have positive ROI, but the top performers in the -18% to -22% range represent significantly better value than the state average of -28.8%. 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 2 games have had all top prizes claimed. Their expected value has dropped significantly, making them the worst value options in North Carolina right now.
| Game | Price | ROI | Original Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5X The Cash | $1 | -44.1% | $10,000 |
| Jurassic Park | $5 | -46.0% | $200,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8 Million Money Maker | $50 | $8,000,000 | 1 | -19.9% |
| $5,000,000 Ultimate | $30 | $5,000,000 | 3 | -14.5% |
| 200X The Cash | $30 | $5,000,000 | 3 | -16.3% |
| Millionaire Bucks | $30 | $5,000,000 | 3 | -17.9% |
| 200X The Cash | $30 | $5,000,000 | 3 | -18.3% |
| Black Titanium | $30 | $4,000,000 | 1 | -15.7% |
| Carolina Black Premier | $30 | $4,000,000 | 2 | -18.3% |
| Supreme 7s | $30 | $4,000,000 | 1 | -20.8% |
| $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe | $20 | $2,000,000 | 2 | -8.3% |
| Win Big | $20 | $2,000,000 | 2 | -13.9% |
| Ruby Red 7’s | $20 | $2,000,000 | 2 | -18.0% |
| 100X The Cash | $20 | $2,000,000 | 1 | -18.3% |
14 games are down to the last top prize. The largest unclaimed top prize in North Carolina is $8,000,000 on $8 Million Money Maker ($50 ticket).
New Releases
North Carolina launched 25 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 The Cash | $50 | -16.6% | $10,000,000 | 1 in 3.33 |
| $100,000 Cash Payday | $30 | -22.0% | $100,000 | 1 in 3.49 |
| 20 Years | $20 | -23.4% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.45 |
| LOTERIA™ MULTIPLIER | $10 | -23.6% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.63 |
| Extreme Money Blowout | $20 | -24.6% | $2,000 | 1 in 9.88 |
| 50X The Cash | $10 | -24.6% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.79 |
| Big Cash Blowout | $10 | -27.5% | $500 | 1 in 9.95 |
| Merry & Bright Blowout | $10 | -27.9% | $500 | 1 in 9.95 |
| Prize Link Connect | $5 | -30.6% | $200,000 | 1 in 4.29 |
| 20X The Cash | $5 | -31.1% | $250,000 | 1 in 4.37 |
| Jungle Cashword | $5 | -31.5% | $150,000 | 1 in 3.79 |
| Diamonds and Dollars | $5 | -31.5% | $200,000 | 1 in 4.37 |
| $500 Frenzy | $5 | -31.6% | $500 | 1 in 4.37 |
| Lucky $50s | $5 | -32.1% | $50 | 1 in 3.93 |
| Prize Link Multiplier | $5 | -33.2% | $200,000 | 1 in 4.31 |
| 10X The Cash | $2 | -34.0% | $50,000 | 1 in 4.67 |
| Easy $100s | $2 | -34.3% | $20,000 | 1 in 4.68 |
| Hit $100 | $2 | -36.2% | $20,000 | 1 in 4.67 |
| 10X The Cash | $2 | -37.2% | $50,000 | 1 in 4.69 |
| Spooky Loot | $2 | -37.5% | $20,000 | 1 in 4.67 |
| Lucky 7s | $1 | -39.4% | $7,000 | 1 in 4.85 |
| 5X The Cash | $1 | -39.6% | $10,000 | 1 in 4.82 |
| 15X Cashword | $3 | -40.5% | $75,000 | 1 in 3.9 |
| 5X The Cash | $1 | -44.1% | $10,000 | 1 in 4.86 |
| Lucky 7s | $1 | -47.9% | $7,000 | 1 in 4.83 |
500X The Cash is the standout new release at -16.6% ROI — better than average for a $50 ticket.
Smart Strategy: Best Combos
Our alternative strategy analysis found that some North Carolina games can be beaten by buying a combination of cheaper tickets with higher total expected value.
Top recommendation: At the $5 price point, buy 2x 10X The Cash ($2) + 1x Lucky 7s ($1) instead — that’s +20.1% more expected value for the same spend.
| Price Tier | Games Beaten | Best Combo | EV Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2 | 0/10 | 2x Lucky 7s ($1) | +8.2% |
| $3 | 0/2 | 1x 10X The Cash ($2) + 1x Lucky 7s ($1) | +5.7% |
| $5 | 0/22 | 2x 10X The Cash ($2) + 1x Lucky 7s ($1) | +10.7% |
| $10 | 0/15 | 2x 5 Times Lucky ($5) | +1% |
| $20 | 0/14 | 2x Cashword King ($10) | +4.2% |
| $30 | 0/9 | 1x $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe ($20) + 1x Cashword King ($10) | +7.1% |
| $50 | 0/3 | 2x $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe ($20) + 1x Cashword King ($10) | +8.9% |
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 North Carolina price points?
| Price | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game | Best ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 7 | -43.6% | Lucky 7s | -39.4% |
| $2 | 10 | -38.1% | 10X The Cash | -34.0% |
| $3 | 2 | -39.2% | LOTERIA® | -38.0% |
| $5 | 22 | -32.6% | 5 Times Lucky | -27.4% |
| $10 | 15 | -25.1% | Cashword King | -20.4% |
| $20 | 14 | -20.8% | $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe | -8.3% |
| $30 | 9 | -18.1% | $5,000,000 Ultimate | -14.5% |
| $50 | 3 | -18.0% | 500X The Cash | -16.6% |
The $50 tier offers the best average value at -18.0% ROI, while the $1 tier is the weakest at -43.6%. The gap between best and worst tiers is 26 percentage points.
How to Use This Data
- Check live rankings: This report is a snapshot. For real-time data, visit the North Carolina 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 North Carolina stacks up against other states in our National Scratchers Report.
North Carolina Lottery Quick Facts
- Official website: nclottery.com
- State tax on winnings: 4.5% state tax (plus 24% federal withholding on prizes over $5,000)
- Active scratch-off games: 82 (as of May 2026)
Related Resources
- North Carolina 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.