New York Scratchers Report — May 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
New York has 103 active scratch-off games this month. While none currently have positive ROI, INSTANT TAKE 5 leads at -6.7% — one of the better values in the state. 20 games have lost all top prizes — avoid those. 103 new games launched recently with all prizes intact.
Over the past 30 days, scratch-off games in this state paid out approximately $39.9 million in prizes, averaging $1.3 million per day across 105 active games. The overall prize pool decreased by 8.5% during this period, with 13,531,415 individual prizes claimed across all tiers. 300X THE MONEY leads in prize activity with $4.4 million claimed ($30 ticket). 14 top prizes remain. SET FOR LIFE follows with $2.5 million in claims.
Data period: May 1–26, 2026 · 103 active games analyzed · Updated from official New York Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 103 |
| Positive ROI Games | 0 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -37.1% |
| Best Game | INSTANT TAKE 5 ($1) at -6.7% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 20 games |
| New Releases | 103 games |
Top 10 Best Value Games
These New York 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 | INSTANT TAKE 5 | $1 | -6.7% | $0.93 | $5,555 | 24 |
| 2 | INSTANT TAKE 5 | $1 | -6.8% | $0.93 | $5,555 | 20 |
| 3 | PLUS THE MONEY | $5 | -8.7% | $4.56 | $500,000 | 2 |
| 4 | INSTANT TAKE 5 | $1 | -10.2% | $0.90 | $5,555 | 75 |
| 5 | MONEY RUSH | $5 | -17.0% | $4.15 | $500,000 | 1 |
| 6 | X SERIES: 200X | $30 | -17.1% | $24.87 | $10,000,000 | 1 |
| 7 | VIP MILLIONS | $30 | -23.6% | $22.91 | $5,000,000 | 2 |
| 8 | $300,000,000 CASH PAYOUT | $20 | -23.9% | $15.21 | $5,000,000 | 1 |
| 9 | LUCKY 13 | $5 | -24.9% | $3.75 | $500,000 | 1 |
| 10 | $100, $200 OR $500! | $30 | -26.8% | $21.96 | $500 | 20889 |
No New York games currently have positive ROI, but the top performers in the -18% to -22% range represent significantly better value than the state average of -37.1%. 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 20 games have had all top prizes claimed. Their expected value has dropped significantly, making them the worst value options in New York right now.
| Game | Price | ROI | Original Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| WINNING STREAK 25X | $5 | -30.1% | $500,000 |
| BINGO MULTIPLIER | $5 | -36.7% | $300,000 |
| MULTIPLIER CRAZE | $10 | -36.9% | $10,000 |
| $10,000,000 DELUXE | $30 | -37.6% | $10,000,000 |
| MATCH FOR CASH | $3 | -39.3% | $60,000 |
| UNLOCK IT! | $3 | -39.4% | $60,000 |
| BONUS 15X CASHWORD | $3 | -40.4% | $60,000 |
| LUCKY CASH | $5 | -40.7% | $500,000 |
| BONUS 20X | $5 | -41.0% | $2,500 |
| BONUS 10X | $2 | -41.3% | $25,000 |
| WILD CASH MULTIPLIER | $5 | -41.4% | $500,000 |
| $500,000 YEAR OF THE HORSE | $5 | -42.2% | $500,000 |
| BIG MONEY X20 | $5 | -42.9% | $500,000 |
| IT TAKES 2 | $2 | -43.6% | $25,000 |
| DOUBLE WIN | $5 | -43.7% | $500,000 |
| BLACKJACK DOUBLER | $2 | -43.7% | $21,000 |
| $500,000 MATCH TO WIN | $5 | -46.2% | $500,000 |
| LUCKY 7S | $1 | -50.5% | $7,000 |
| NEW YORK MILLIONAIRE | $5 | -50.5% | $2,000 |
| CASHWORD DOUBLER | $2 | -63.2% | $20,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X SERIES: 200X | $30 | $10,000,000 | 1 | -17.1% |
| VIP MILLIONS | $30 | $5,000,000 | 2 | -23.6% |
| $300,000,000 CASH PAYOUT | $20 | $5,000,000 | 1 | -23.9% |
| MILLIONAIRE MAKER | $20 | $1,000,000 | 3 | -29.0% |
| PLUS THE MONEY | $5 | $500,000 | 2 | -8.7% |
| MONEY RUSH | $5 | $500,000 | 1 | -17.0% |
| LUCKY 13 | $5 | $500,000 | 1 | -24.9% |
| CASINO NIGHTS | $5 | $500,000 | 1 | -27.1% |
| $500,000 BLAST | $5 | $500,000 | 1 | -31.5% |
| BINGO TIMES 20 | $5 | $300,000 | 3 | -35.5% |
| DOUBLE TRIPLE CASHWORD | $5 | $300,000 | 2 | -40.7% |
| 30Xtra CASHWORD | $3 | $60,000 | 3 | -37.6% |
8 games are down to the last top prize. The largest unclaimed top prize in New York is $10,000,000 on X SERIES: 200X ($30 ticket).
New Releases
New York launched 103 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INSTANT TAKE 5 | $1 | -6.7% | $5,555 | 1 in 4.69 |
| INSTANT TAKE 5 | $1 | -6.8% | $5,555 | 1 in 4.69 |
| PLUS THE MONEY | $5 | -8.7% | $500,000 | 1 in 4.57 |
| INSTANT TAKE 5 | $1 | -10.2% | $5,555 | 1 in 4.69 |
| MONEY RUSH | $5 | -17.0% | $500,000 | 1 in 4.6 |
| X SERIES: 200X | $30 | -17.1% | $10,000,000 | 1 in 3.62 |
| VIP MILLIONS | $30 | -23.6% | $5,000,000 | 1 in 3.59 |
| $300,000,000 CASH PAYOUT | $20 | -23.9% | $5,000,000 | 1 in 3.55 |
| LUCKY 13 | $5 | -24.9% | $500,000 | 1 in 4.11 |
| $100, $200 OR $500! | $30 | -26.8% | $500 | 1 in 6.25 |
| CASINO NIGHTS | $5 | -27.1% | $500,000 | 1 in 4.44 |
| WIN EITHER $100 OR $200! | $20 | -27.7% | $200 | 1 in 8 |
| MILLIONAIRE MAKER | $20 | -29.0% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.91 |
| $10,000,000 CASH | $30 | -29.4% | $25,000 | 1 in 3.65 |
| ULTIMATE CASH | $30 | -29.6% | $20,000 | 1 in 3.64 |
| WIN $100 OR $200 | $20 | -29.7% | $200 | 1 in 8 |
| JACKPOT FORTUNE | $30 | -29.8% | $50,000 | 1 in 3.65 |
| $100, $200 0R $500 | $30 | -30.1% | $500 | 1 in 6.25 |
| WINNING STREAK 25X | $5 | -30.1% | $500,000 | 1 in 4.29 |
| 300X THE MONEY | $30 | -30.7% | $150,000 | 1 in 3.61 |
| BONUS 100X | $20 | -30.9% | $25,000 | 1 in 3.66 |
| XTREME MONEY | $20 | -31.2% | $25,000 | 1 in 3.66 |
| $5,000,000 CASH ROYALE | $20 | -31.4% | $10,000 | 1 in 3.9 |
| $500,000 BLAST | $5 | -31.5% | $500,000 | 1 in 4.02 |
| $10,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE | $20 | -31.9% | $10,000 | 1 in 3.72 |
| $50 OR $100 | $10 | -32.1% | $100 | 1 in 8.33 |
| MYSTERY MULTIPLIER | $20 | -32.3% | $20,000 | 1 in 3.67 |
| 200Xtra | $20 | -32.3% | $20,000 | 1 in 3.67 |
| $5,000,000 BLITZ | $20 | -32.4% | $20,000 | 1 in 3.79 |
| SET FOR LIFE | $10 | -33.3% | $50,000 | 1 in 3.95 |
| $10,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE | $20 | -33.9% | $10,000 | 1 in 3.74 |
| $5,000 HOLIDAY FRENZY/$5,000 GOLD | $10 | -34.3% | $5,000 | 1 in 3.85 |
| INSTANT $500 | $10 | -34.8% | $500 | 1 in 4.19 |
| BONUS 50X | $10 | -34.8% | $10,000 | 1 in 3.92 |
| LUCKY LINES | $3 | -35.3% | $60,000 | 1 in 3.8 |
| BINGO TIMES 20 | $5 | -35.5% | $300,000 | 1 in 4.27 |
| ALL CASH | $20 | -35.5% | $5,000 | 1 in 4.64 |
| $3,000,000 BONUS STARS | $10 | -35.8% | $5,000 | 1 in 3.99 |
| BONUS BUCKS | $10 | -35.8% | $5,000 | 1 in 3.86 |
| 100Xtra | $10 | -36.1% | $10,000 | 1 in 3.91 |
| MONEY MATCH | $10 | -36.5% | $5,000 | 1 in 4.01 |
| BINGO MULTIPLIER | $5 | -36.7% | $300,000 | 1 in 4.28 |
| CASHWORD DOUBLER | $2 | -36.7% | $20,000 | 1 in 5.09 |
| MULTIPLIER CRAZE | $10 | -36.9% | $10,000 | 1 in 3.92 |
| $3,000,000 GRANDE | $10 | -36.9% | $5,000 | 1 in 3.93 |
| $3,000,000 MAX | $10 | -37.2% | $5,000 | 1 in 4.01 |
| $10,000,000 DELUXE | $30 | -37.6% | $10,000,000 | 1 in 3.64 |
| 30Xtra CASHWORD | $3 | -37.6% | $60,000 | 1 in 4.1 |
| WIN $60,000 | $3 | -37.8% | $60,000 | 1 in 3.92 |
| BONUS BLACKJACK | $2 | -37.9% | $21,000 | 1 in 4.89 |
| CASHWORD | $2 | -38.1% | $10,000 | 1 in 5.02 |
| $1,000,000 BONUS CASHWORD | $10 | -38.3% | $5,000 | 1 in 4.32 |
| $25,000 EXTRA CA$H | $2 | -38.6% | $25,000 | 1 in 4.8 |
| 7-11-21 TRIPLER | $1 | -38.8% | $2,100 | 1 in 4.54 |
| 20Xtra | $2 | -38.9% | $25,000 | 1 in 4.79 |
| TRIPLE MATCH | $1 | -39.1% | $3,000 | 1 in 4.98 |
| $1,000,000 CASHWORD BONUS | $10 | -39.2% | $5,000 | 1 in 4.32 |
| MATCH FOR CASH | $3 | -39.3% | $60,000 | 1 in 4.34 |
| UNLOCK IT! | $3 | -39.4% | $60,000 | 1 in 3.92 |
| 50Xtra | $5 | -39.6% | $2,500 | 1 in 4.12 |
| XTREME WINNINGS | $5 | -40.2% | $2,500 | 1 in 4.09 |
| BONUS 15X CASHWORD | $3 | -40.4% | $60,000 | 1 in 4.12 |
| 10Xtra | $1 | -40.4% | $5,000 | 1 in 4.8 |
| CASH DROP | $2 | -40.5% | $25,000 | 1 in 4.81 |
| $2,000,000 CASHWORD | $20 | -40.5% | $10,000 | 1 in 3.82 |
| $1,000,000 MUST LOVE DOGS | $5 | -40.5% | $2,000 | 1 in 4.23 |
| MULTIPLY YOUR NUMBERS | $3 | -40.5% | $60,000 | 1 in 4.12 |
| LUCKY CASH | $5 | -40.7% | $500,000 | 1 in 4.13 |
| DOUBLE TRIPLE CASHWORD | $5 | -40.7% | $300,000 | 1 in 5.14 |
| $100s FOR THE HOLIDAYS | $2 | -40.9% | $100 | 1 in 4.45 |
| BONUS 20X | $5 | -41.0% | $2,500 | 1 in 4.1 |
| LOOSE CHANGE | $1 | -41.0% | $500 | 1 in 4.7 |
| $3,000,000 CA$H | $10 | -41.3% | $5,000 | 1 in 4.02 |
| BONUS 10X | $2 | -41.3% | $25,000 | 1 in 4.79 |
| TRIPLE 7-11-21 | $2 | -41.4% | $21,000 | 1 in 4.91 |
| WILD CASH MULTIPLIER | $5 | -41.4% | $500,000 | 1 in 4.13 |
| CASHWORD EXTRA! | $3 | -41.5% | $60,000 | 1 in 4.06 |
| $500 HOLIDAY BONUS | $5 | -42.0% | $500 | 1 in 3.93 |
| $500,000 YEAR OF THE HORSE | $5 | -42.2% | $500,000 | 1 in 3.98 |
| WIN FOR LIFE | $2 | -42.2% | $2,500 | 1 in 3.97 |
| DOUBLE DEUCES | $2 | -42.5% | $25,000 | 1 in 4.88 |
| BIG MONEY X20 | $5 | -42.9% | $500,000 | 1 in 4.11 |
| MORE MONEY | $5 | -42.9% | $2,500 | 1 in 4.42 |
| $1,000,000 GRANDE | $5 | -43.1% | $2,500 | 1 in 4.01 |
| 5 TIMES LUCKY | $1 | -43.2% | $5,000 | 1 in 4.77 |
| IT TAKES 2 | $2 | -43.6% | $25,000 | 1 in 4.87 |
| XTREME BUCKS | $2 | -43.6% | $25,000 | 1 in 4.79 |
| 3-2-WON! | $1 | -43.7% | $3,000 | 1 in 4.89 |
| DOUBLE WIN | $5 | -43.7% | $500,000 | 1 in 4.2 |
| BLACKJACK DOUBLER | $2 | -43.7% | $21,000 | 1 in 4.8 |
| LUCKY 7’S | $1 | -45.9% | $7,000 | 1 in 4.96 |
| WIN $250 | $5 | -46.2% | $250 | 1 in 4.38 |
| $500,000 MATCH TO WIN | $5 | -46.2% | $500,000 | 1 in 4.16 |
| 9S IN A LINE DOUBLER | $1 | -46.3% | $999 | 1 in 4.91 |
| BONUS 5X | $1 | -46.5% | $5,000 | 1 in 4.8 |
| SHOW ME $500 | $10 | -49.5% | $500 | 1 in 4.17 |
| LUCKY 7S | $1 | -50.5% | $7,000 | 1 in 4.96 |
| NEW YORK MILLIONAIRE | $5 | -50.5% | $2,000 | 1 in 4.44 |
| $1,000,000 GOLD | $5 | -51.5% | $2,000 | 1 in 4.44 |
| LOOSE CHANGE | $1 | -55.7% | $500 | 1 in 4.7 |
| WIN FOR LIFE | $2 | -59.7% | $2,500 | 1 in 3.75 |
| CASHWORD DOUBLER | $2 | -63.2% | $20,000 | 1 in 5.09 |
| CASHWORD DOUBLER | $2 | -63.9% | $20,000 | 1 in 5.09 |
INSTANT TAKE 5 is the standout new release at -6.7% ROI — better than average for a $1 ticket.
Smart Strategy: Best Combos
Our alternative strategy analysis found that some New York games can be beaten by buying a combination of cheaper tickets with higher total expected value.
Top recommendation: At the $2 price point, buy 2x INSTANT TAKE 5 ($1) instead — that’s +158.7% more expected value for the same spend.
| Price Tier | Games Beaten | Best Combo | EV Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2 | 0/17 | 2x INSTANT TAKE 5 ($1) | +73.5% |
| $3 | 0/8 | 3x INSTANT TAKE 5 ($1) | +53% |
| $5 | 0/25 | 5x INSTANT TAKE 5 ($1) | +53.3% |
| $10 | 0/16 | 10x INSTANT TAKE 5 ($1) | +48.8% |
| $20 | 0/14 | 20x INSTANT TAKE 5 ($1) | +36.8% |
| $30 | 0/9 | 30x INSTANT TAKE 5 ($1) | +30.8% |
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 New York price points?
| Price | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game | Best ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 14 | -36.8% | INSTANT TAKE 5 | -6.7% |
| $2 | 17 | -44.5% | CASHWORD DOUBLER | -36.7% |
| $3 | 8 | -39.0% | LUCKY LINES | -35.3% |
| $5 | 25 | -37.9% | PLUS THE MONEY | -8.7% |
| $10 | 16 | -37.0% | $50 OR $100 | -32.1% |
| $20 | 14 | -31.6% | $300,000,000 CASH PAYOUT | -23.9% |
| $30 | 9 | -28.3% | X SERIES: 200X | -17.1% |
The $30 tier offers the best average value at -28.3% ROI, while the $2 tier is the weakest at -44.5%. The gap between best and worst tiers is 16 percentage points.
How to Use This Data
- Check live rankings: This report is a snapshot. For real-time data, visit the New York 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 New York stacks up against other states in our National Scratchers Report.
New York Lottery Quick Facts
- Official website: nylottery.ny.gov
- State tax on winnings: 8.82% state tax (NYC up to 12.7%) (plus 24% federal withholding on prizes over $5,000)
- Active scratch-off games: 103 (as of May 2026)
Related Resources
- New York 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.