Virginia Scratchers Report — May 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
Virginia has 60 active scratch-off games this month. While none currently have positive ROI, 50X The Money leads at -0.8% — one of the better values in the state. 11 games have lost all top prizes — avoid those.
Over the past 30 days, scratch-off games in this state paid out approximately $55.1 million in prizes, averaging $1.8 million per day across 60 active games. 500X THE MONEY leads in prize activity with $5.6 million claimed ($50 ticket). Only 1 top prize remains. SET FOR LIFE follows with $5.3 million in claims, with only 2 top prizes remaining.
Data period: May 1–26, 2026 · 60 active games analyzed · Updated from official Virginia Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 60 |
| Positive ROI Games | 0 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -27.3% |
| Best Game | 50X The Money ($20) at -0.8% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 11 games |
| New Releases | 0 games |
Top 10 Best Value Games
These Virginia 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 | 50X The Money | $20 | -0.8% | $19.85 | $3,000,000 | 2 |
| 2 | SET FOR LIFE | $50 | -12.0% | $44.02 | $6,000,000 | 2 |
| 3 | Payday Tripler | $20 | -14.2% | $17.17 | $1,000,000 | 2 |
| 4 | 500X THE MONEY | $50 | -15.1% | $42.46 | $7,000,000 | 1 |
| 5 | Power Payout Multiplier | $10 | -15.6% | $8.44 | $1,000,000 | 1 |
| 6 | In The Money | $30 | -18.1% | $24.56 | $1,000,000 | 2 |
| 7 | 100X The Money | $30 | -18.5% | $24.46 | $5,000,000 | 1 |
| 8 | $1,000,000 GOLD RUSH | $50 | -18.7% | $40.64 | $1,000,000 | 1 |
| 9 | Cash Surge | $50 | -19.0% | $40.51 | $10,000 | 308 |
| 10 | $100,000 A YEAR | $20 | -19.0% | $16.20 | $1,000,000 | 1 |
No Virginia games currently have positive ROI, but the top performers in the -18% to -22% range represent significantly better value than the state average of -27.3%. 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 11 games have had all top prizes claimed. Their expected value has dropped significantly, making them the worst value options in Virginia right now.
| Game | Price | ROI | Original Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| BONUS STAR MILLIONS | $30 | -24.8% | $1,000,000 |
| WINNERS CLUB | $30 | -25.2% | $1,000,000 |
| Ultimate 7s | $20 | -30.7% | $1,000,000 |
| King of Crossword | $10 | -31.9% | $300,000 |
| 20X The Money | $10 | -35.1% | $1,000,000 |
| PINK PANTHER DIAMOND TRIPLER | $5 | -36.2% | $100,000 |
| DOUBLE SIDED DOLLARS | $5 | -37.9% | $100,000 |
| WILD CASH | $10 | -38.0% | $500,000 |
| BARKIN BUCKS | $2 | -38.9% | $20,000 |
| 10X The Money | $5 | -40.4% | $100,000 |
| 5X The Money | $2 | -41.7% | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500X THE MONEY | $50 | $7,000,000 | 1 | -15.1% |
| SET FOR LIFE | $50 | $6,000,000 | 2 | -12.0% |
| 100X The Money | $30 | $5,000,000 | 1 | -18.5% |
| $173,000,000 Extravaganza | $30 | $5,000,000 | 2 | -19.2% |
| 50X The Money | $20 | $3,000,000 | 2 | -0.8% |
| Supreme Riches | $20 | $2,000,000 | 2 | -21.4% |
| Money Blitz | $20 | $2,000,000 | 1 | -23.3% |
| Payday Tripler | $20 | $1,000,000 | 2 | -14.2% |
| Power Payout Multiplier | $10 | $1,000,000 | 1 | -15.6% |
| In The Money | $30 | $1,000,000 | 2 | -18.1% |
| $1,000,000 GOLD RUSH | $50 | $1,000,000 | 1 | -18.7% |
| $100,000 A YEAR | $20 | $1,000,000 | 1 | -19.0% |
21 games are down to the last top prize. The largest unclaimed top prize in Virginia is $7,000,000 on 500X THE MONEY ($50 ticket).
Smart Strategy: Best Combos
Our alternative strategy analysis found that some Virginia games can be beaten by buying a combination of cheaper tickets with higher total expected value.
Top recommendation: At the $30 price point, buy 1x 50X The Money ($20) + 1x Power Payout Multiplier ($10) instead — that’s +26.1% more expected value for the same spend.
| Price Tier | Games Beaten | Best Combo | EV Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10 | 0/12 | 2x RED 7S DOUBLER ($5) | +7.3% |
| $20 | 0/10 | 2x Power Payout Multiplier ($10) | +11.1% |
| $30 | 0/9 | 1x 50X The Money ($20) + 1x Power Payout Multiplier ($10) | +19.7% |
| $50 | 0/4 | 2x 50X The Money ($20) + 1x Power Payout Multiplier ($10) | +15% |
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 Virginia price points?
| Price | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game | Best ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2 | 4 | -38.9% | JEFFERSON | -36.6% |
| $5 | 21 | -32.7% | RED 7S DOUBLER | -26.3% |
| $10 | 12 | -27.8% | Power Payout Multiplier | -15.6% |
| $20 | 10 | -20.6% | 50X The Money | -0.8% |
| $30 | 9 | -21.2% | In The Money | -18.1% |
| $50 | 4 | -16.2% | SET FOR LIFE | -12.0% |
The $50 tier offers the best average value at -16.2% ROI, while the $2 tier is the weakest at -38.9%. 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 Virginia 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 Virginia stacks up against other states in our National Scratchers Report.
Virginia Lottery Quick Facts
- Official website: valottery.com
- State tax on winnings: 4% state tax (plus 24% federal withholding on prizes over $5,000)
- Active scratch-off games: 60 (as of May 2026)
Related Resources
- Virginia 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.