Nebraska Scratchers Report — May 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
Nebraska has 24 active scratch-off games this month. While none currently have positive ROI, Neon 9s leads at -10.2% — one of the better values in the state. 24 new games launched recently with all prizes intact.
Over the past 31 days, scratch-off games in this state paid out approximately $1.2 million in prizes, averaging $37,154 per day across 24 active games. The overall prize pool decreased by 11.5% during this period, with 7,185 individual prizes claimed across all tiers. Cash Explosion Spectacular® leads in prize activity with $410,200 claimed ($20 ticket). 368 top prizes remain. Cash Explosion® follows with $227,700 in claims.
Data period: May 1–26, 2026 · 24 active games analyzed · Updated from official Nebraska Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 24 |
| Positive ROI Games | 0 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -34.9% |
| Best Game | Neon 9s ($5) at -10.2% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 0 games |
| New Releases | 24 games |
Top 10 Best Value Games
These Nebraska 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 | Neon 9s | $5 | -10.2% | $4.49 | $50,000 | 2 |
| 2 | Ruby Red 7s | $10 | -27.3% | $7.27 | $100,000 | 3 |
| 3 | Pony Payout | $5 | -30.4% | $3.48 | $50,000 | 3 |
| 4 | Power 20s | $20 | -31.1% | $13.78 | $50,000 | 1 |
| 5 | Cash Explosion Spectacular® | $20 | -31.1% | $13.78 | $500 | 368 |
| 6 | 50X | $30 | -31.4% | $20.58 | $50,000 | 5 |
| 7 | Cash Explosion® | $10 | -31.5% | $6.85 | $250 | 203 |
| 8 | $10,000 Ca$h Blowout | $10 | -32.2% | $6.78 | $10,000 | 16 |
| 9 | Fun 5s | $5 | -32.5% | $3.37 | $30,000 | 3 |
| 10 | Mega Loteria | $10 | -33.4% | $6.66 | $100,000 | 2 |
No Nebraska games currently have positive ROI, but the top performers in the -18% to -22% range represent significantly better value than the state average of -34.9%. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric 7s | $30 | $300,000 | 2 | -33.6% |
| $200,000 Crossword Jackpot | $20 | $200,000 | 3 | -35.3% |
| Diamonds & Gold | $20 | $200,000 | 1 | -44.8% |
| Ruby Red 7s | $10 | $100,000 | 3 | -27.3% |
| Mega Loteria | $10 | $100,000 | 2 | -33.4% |
| $100,000 Crossword Craze | $10 | $100,000 | 1 | -38.2% |
| Neon 9s | $5 | $50,000 | 2 | -10.2% |
| Pony Payout | $5 | $50,000 | 3 | -30.4% |
| Power 20s | $20 | $50,000 | 1 | -31.1% |
| Super Loteria | $5 | $50,000 | 2 | -34.4% |
| Caddyshack | $5 | $50,000 | 2 | -38.3% |
| Daily Crossword 5X | $5 | $50,000 | 3 | -40.6% |
3 games are down to the last top prize. The largest unclaimed top prize in Nebraska is $300,000 on Electric 7s ($30 ticket).
New Releases
Nebraska launched 24 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neon 9s | $5 | -10.2% | $50,000 | 1 in 3.97 |
| Ruby Red 7s | $10 | -27.3% | $100,000 | 1 in 3.71 |
| Pony Payout | $5 | -30.4% | $50,000 | 1 in 4.2 |
| Power 20s | $20 | -31.1% | $50,000 | 1 in 3.89 |
| Cash Explosion Spectacular® | $20 | -31.1% | $500 | 1 in 9.66 |
| 50X | $30 | -31.4% | $50,000 | 1 in 4.04 |
| Cash Explosion® | $10 | -31.5% | $250 | 1 in 9.31 |
| $10,000 Ca$h Blowout | $10 | -32.2% | $10,000 | 1 in 3.51 |
| Fun 5s | $5 | -32.5% | $30,000 | 1 in 3.55 |
| Mega Loteria | $10 | -33.4% | $100,000 | 1 in 3.5 |
| Electric 7s | $30 | -33.6% | $300,000 | 1 in 2.9 |
| Super Loteria | $5 | -34.4% | $50,000 | 1 in 3.99 |
| Lucky Symbols Loteria | $3 | -34.9% | $35,000 | 1 in 3.72 |
| 10X Bingo Multiplier | $3 | -35.2% | $35,000 | 1 in 3.5 |
| $200,000 Crossword Jackpot | $20 | -35.3% | $200,000 | 1 in 3.06 |
| Pink Diamond 7s | $2 | -38.0% | $17,777 | 1 in 4.12 |
| $100,000 Crossword Craze | $10 | -38.2% | $100,000 | 1 in 3.3 |
| Caddyshack | $5 | -38.3% | $50,000 | 1 in 3.9 |
| Bonus Crossword | $3 | -40.2% | $35,000 | 1 in 3.43 |
| Daily Crossword 5X | $5 | -40.6% | $50,000 | 1 in 3.41 |
| Power $500 | $5 | -41.5% | $500 | 1 in 3.73 |
| Quick 7s | $1 | -43.9% | $7,000 | 1 in 3.58 |
| Diamonds & Gold | $20 | -44.8% | $200,000 | 1 in 3.29 |
| Pocket Change 5X | $1 | -47.7% | $500 | 1 in 4 |
Neon 9s is the standout new release at -10.2% ROI — better than average for a $5 ticket.
Smart Strategy: Best Combos
Our alternative strategy analysis found that some Nebraska games can be beaten by buying a combination of cheaper tickets with higher total expected value.
Top recommendation: At the $20 price point, buy 4x Neon 9s ($5) instead — that’s +62.9% more expected value for the same spend.
| Price Tier | Games Beaten | Best Combo | EV Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3 | 0/3 | 1x Pink Diamond 7s ($2) + 1x Quick 7s ($1) | +0.5% |
| $5 | 0/7 | 1x Lucky Symbols Loteria ($3) + 1x Pink Diamond 7s ($2) | +6.8% |
| $10 | 0/5 | 2x Neon 9s ($5) | +33.5% |
| $20 | 0/4 | 4x Neon 9s ($5) | +40.6% |
| $30 | 0/2 | 6x Neon 9s ($5) | +33.2% |
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 Nebraska price points?
| Price | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game | Best ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 2 | -45.8% | Quick 7s | -43.9% |
| $2 | 1 | -38.0% | Pink Diamond 7s | -38.0% |
| $3 | 3 | -36.8% | Lucky Symbols Loteria | -34.9% |
| $5 | 7 | -32.6% | Neon 9s | -10.2% |
| $10 | 5 | -32.5% | Ruby Red 7s | -27.3% |
| $20 | 4 | -35.6% | Power 20s | -31.1% |
| $30 | 2 | -32.5% | 50X | -31.4% |
The $30 tier offers the best average value at -32.5% ROI, while the $1 tier is the weakest at -45.8%. The gap between best and worst tiers is 13 percentage points.
How to Use This Data
- Check live rankings: This report is a snapshot. For real-time data, visit the Nebraska 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 Nebraska stacks up against other states in our National Scratchers Report.
Nebraska Lottery Quick Facts
- Official website: nelottery.com
- State tax on winnings: 5% state tax (plus 24% federal withholding on prizes over $5,000)
- Active scratch-off games: 24 (as of May 2026)
Related Resources
- Nebraska 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.