South Carolina Scratchers Report — May 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
South Carolina has 39 active scratch-off games this month. While none currently have positive ROI, Magnificent Jumbo Bucks leads at -18.4% — one of the better values in the state. 4 games have lost all top prizes — avoid those. 3 new games launched recently with all prizes intact.
Over the past 31 days, scratch-off games in this state paid out approximately $104.8 million in prizes, averaging $3.4 million per day across 39 active games. The overall prize pool decreased by 8.7% during this period, with 1,745,741 individual prizes claimed across all tiers. 200X leads in prize activity with $14.7 million claimed ($20 ticket). 2 top prizes remain. Magnificent Jumbo Bucks follows with $10.3 million in claims.
Data period: May 1–26, 2026 · 39 active games analyzed · Updated from official South Carolina Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 39 |
| Positive ROI Games | 0 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -32.9% |
| Best Game | Magnificent Jumbo Bucks ($20) at -18.4% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 4 games |
| New Releases | 3 games |
Top 10 Best Value Games
These South 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 | Magnificent Jumbo Bucks | $20 | -18.4% | $16.32 | $2,500,000 | 3 |
| 2 | My Money Maker | $10 | -19.9% | $8.01 | $500,000 | 2 |
| 3 | Frosty Fortunes | $10 | -20.6% | $7.94 | $500,000 | 1 |
| 4 | Winning Spree | $10 | -23.4% | $7.66 | $500,000 | 4 |
| 5 | Mighty Jumbo Bucks | $10 | -23.6% | $7.64 | $750,000 | 4 |
| 6 | 200X | $20 | -24.3% | $15.15 | $2,000,000 | 2 |
| 7 | $100, $200 or $300! | $10 | -24.5% | $7.55 | $300 | 2016 |
| 8 | Hit $500 | $10 | -24.7% | $7.53 | $500 | 51234 |
| 9 | Gold Vault Extra Play | $10 | -24.9% | $7.51 | $500,000 | 4 |
| 10 | Millionaire Bonus | $10 | -26.3% | $7.37 | $1,000,000 | 1 |
No South 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 -32.9%. 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 4 games have had all top prizes claimed. Their expected value has dropped significantly, making them the worst value options in South Carolina right now.
| Game | Price | ROI | Original Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| My Money Maker | $2 | -38.2% | $30,000 |
| My Money Maker | $5 | -38.7% | $200,000 |
| 10X | $1 | -42.4% | $5,000 |
| My Money Maker | $1 | -44.9% | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnificent Jumbo Bucks | $20 | $2,500,000 | 3 | -18.4% |
| 200X | $20 | $2,000,000 | 2 | -24.3% |
| Millionaire Bonus | $10 | $1,000,000 | 1 | -26.3% |
| My Money Maker | $10 | $500,000 | 2 | -19.9% |
| Frosty Fortunes | $10 | $500,000 | 1 | -20.6% |
| Ruby Red Treasures | $10 | $500,000 | 1 | -26.6% |
| 100X | $10 | $500,000 | 1 | -26.7% |
| Giant Jumbo Bucks | $5 | $250,000 | 2 | -30.1% |
| Sapphire Surprise | $5 | $200,000 | 2 | -28.1% |
| In the Green | $5 | $200,000 | 3 | -29.7% |
| SUPER LOTERIA™ | $5 | $200,000 | 3 | -30.2% |
| 50X | $5 | $200,000 | 1 | -31.6% |
9 games are down to the last top prize. The largest unclaimed top prize in South Carolina is $2,500,000 on Magnificent Jumbo Bucks ($20 ticket).
New Releases
South Carolina launched 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Vault Extra Play | $10 | -24.9% | $500,000 | 1 in 3.57 |
| In the Green | $5 | -29.7% | $200,000 | 1 in 3.95 |
| SUPER LOTERIA™ | $5 | -30.2% | $200,000 | 1 in 3.97 |
Gold Vault Extra Play is the standout new release at -24.9% ROI — better than average for a $10 ticket.
Smart Strategy: Best Combos
Our alternative strategy analysis found that some South Carolina 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 Sapphire Surprise ($5) instead — that’s +63.7% more expected value for the same spend.
| Price Tier | Games Beaten | Best Combo | EV Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2 | 0/6 | 2x Junior Jumbo Bucks ($1) | +1.8% |
| $3 | 0/3 | 1x Quick Cash ($2) + 1x Junior Jumbo Bucks ($1) | +1.6% |
| $5 | 0/11 | 1x Cash Lines ($3) + 1x Quick Cash ($2) | +16.4% |
| $10 | 0/11 | 2x Sapphire Surprise ($5) | +63.7% |
| $20 | 0/2 | 2x My Money Maker ($10) | +5.7% |
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 South Carolina price points?
| Price | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game | Best ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 6 | -43.9% | Junior Jumbo Bucks | -36.4% |
| $2 | 6 | -35.1% | Quick Cash | -32.4% |
| $3 | 3 | -34.1% | Cash Lines | -32.8% |
| $5 | 11 | -33.3% | Sapphire Surprise | -28.1% |
| $10 | 11 | -27.0% | My Money Maker | -19.9% |
| $20 | 2 | -21.3% | Magnificent Jumbo Bucks | -18.4% |
The $20 tier offers the best average value at -21.3% ROI, while the $1 tier is the weakest at -43.9%. The gap between best and worst tiers is 23 percentage points.
How to Use This Data
- Check live rankings: This report is a snapshot. For real-time data, visit the South 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 South Carolina stacks up against other states in our National Scratchers Report.
South Carolina Lottery Quick Facts
- Official website: sceducationlottery.com
- State tax on winnings: 6.5% state tax (plus 24% federal withholding on prizes over $5,000)
- Active scratch-off games: 39 (as of May 2026)
Related Resources
- South 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.