If you’re searching for which scratch-off tickets win the most, you’re asking the right question — but it has two very different answers depending on what “win” means to you:
- Win most often (highest frequency of any prize) → Look at overall odds
- Win the most money (best return per dollar spent) → Look at expected value and ROI
These are not the same thing. A ticket that “wins” 1 in 3 times sounds great — until you realize most of those “wins” are just getting your money back. We track 2,700+ scratch-off games across 43 states with daily data updates. Here’s what the numbers actually show about which tickets win the most.
Last updated: June 2026 · Based on analysis of real lottery data from official state websites
The Breakeven Trap: Why “Best Odds” Is Misleading
Every scratch-off ticket has “overall odds” printed on the back — something like “1 in 3.5” or “1 in 4.2.” This number tells you the chance of winning any prize, including:
- Free tickets (worth $0 in cash)
- Breakeven prizes (win your ticket price back — a $5 “win” on a $5 ticket)
- Small prizes below your ticket cost (win $2 on a $5 ticket — you still lost $3)
When a game advertises “1 in 3” odds, it sounds like you win a third of the time. In reality, the majority of those “wins” return less than what you paid. You’re not actually ahead — you just didn’t lose everything.
A Real Example
Consider a typical $10 scratch-off game with “1 in 3.5” overall odds. Looking at the actual prize structure:
| Prize Amount | % of All Prizes | Actual Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| $10 (breakeven) | 45% | You got your money back — net $0 |
| $15 | 25% | You “won” $5 profit |
| $20 | 15% | You won $10 profit |
| $50+ | 10% | Meaningful win |
| $500+ | 4% | Significant win |
| Top prize | 1% | Life-changing |
Nearly half of all “wins” on this game are just breakeven. The “1 in 3.5” odds make it sound like you win often, but your odds of winning more than you spent are closer to 1 in 6 or 1 in 7 — dramatically worse than the advertised number suggests.
What Actually Determines Which Tickets Win the Most
If you want to find scratch-off tickets that genuinely give you the best chance of coming out ahead, here’s what to look at — in order of importance:
1. Expected Value (EV) and ROI
Expected Value tells you how much a ticket is actually worth based on the remaining prizes. It accounts for every prize tier, the probability of hitting each one, and how many tickets are estimated to remain.
ROI (Return on Investment) = (Expected Value − Ticket Price) ÷ Ticket Price × 100%
- Positive ROI (rare): The ticket is statistically worth more than its price — you expect to profit on average
- -10% to -20% ROI: Typical for the best-value games — you lose 10-20 cents per dollar on average
- -30% to -40% ROI: Below average — you’re losing 30-40 cents per dollar
- -50%+ ROI: Poor value — avoid these games
We calculate ROI daily for every active game across 43 states. See our full methodology →
2. Remaining Top Prizes
A game’s value drops significantly when top prizes are claimed. If a $20 game had three $1,000,000 prizes and all three are gone, every remaining ticket just lost a meaningful chunk of its expected value — even though the overall odds printed on the back haven’t changed.
We track this in real-time. Right now, across all 43 states we monitor, hundreds of games are still being sold with zero top prizes remaining. These are objectively worse buys than games with top prizes intact. Learn more about what happens when top prizes are claimed →
3. Price Tier Patterns
Our data across 2,700+ games confirms a clear pattern by price tier:
| Price Tier | Avg Overall Odds | Avg ROI | What This Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | ~1 in 4.5 | -40% to -50% | Win often, but tiny prizes. Worst value per dollar. |
| $2-$3 | ~1 in 4.2 | -35% to -40% | Slightly better, still poor value |
| $5 | ~1 in 4.0 | -30% to -35% | Middle ground — popular but not optimal |
| $10 | ~1 in 3.7 | -28% to -32% | Better odds and better value |
| $20 | ~1 in 3.5 | -22% to -28% | Strong value tier |
| $30-$50 | ~1 in 3.3 | -20% to -25% | Best overall value per dollar |
| $100 | ~1 in 3.5 | -16% to -22% | Best ROI but highest cost per ticket |
Key insight: Higher-priced tickets ($20+) typically return 75-85 cents per dollar spent, while $1 tickets return only 50-60 cents. The difference is substantial over time.
However, this is an average. Individual games within each tier vary widely — a specific $5 game might outperform a specific $20 game depending on remaining prizes. That’s why checking current data matters more than following price-tier rules of thumb.
How to Find the Scratch-Offs That Win the Most in Your State
The “best” scratch-off ticket changes daily as prizes are claimed and new games launch. Here’s a practical approach:
Step 1: Check Your State’s Current Rankings
We rank every active scratch-off game in 43 states by ROI, odds, and remaining prizes — updated daily from official state lottery data. Find your state:
- Texas · Florida · California · New York · Ohio
- Pennsylvania · Illinois · Georgia · Michigan · North Carolina
- Virginia · Massachusetts · New Jersey · Maryland · Indiana
Step 2: Look at the “Best Value” Tab
On each state page, the “Best Value” tab shows games ranked by ROI — the ones that give you the most money back per dollar spent. These are the tickets that statistically “win the most” in terms of actual value.
Step 3: Avoid Games With All Top Prizes Claimed
Check the “Top Prizes Claimed (Avoid)” tab. These games are still on shelves at full price, but their biggest payouts are gone. Your money is better spent on games with top prizes still available.
Step 4: Consider New Releases
Newly launched games start with all prizes intact — no top prizes claimed, no value erosion. Check the “Newest” tab on your state page for recently released games.
Common Myths About Which Tickets Win the Most
Myth: “Lucky stores” sell more winners
False. Stores that sell more tickets produce more winners — that’s volume, not luck. The winning ticket was determined at the printing facility, not at the point of sale. Focus on which game has the best value, not which store sells it.
Myth: New rolls have better odds
False. Prizes are distributed randomly throughout a roll. Position within a roll doesn’t matter. What matters is whether the game is new (all prizes intact) vs. old (top prizes potentially claimed).
Myth: If a game hasn’t had a big winner recently, it’s “due”
False. Each ticket is independent. Past results don’t influence future outcomes. However, if a game has more top prizes remaining relative to tickets sold, the probability of the next ticket being a big winner is mathematically higher — that’s not “due,” that’s just better odds.
Myth: $1 tickets are the best because you can buy more
False. Buying five $1 tickets (total: $5) gives you worse expected value than buying one $5 ticket in almost every case. The $5 ticket typically returns 65-70 cents per dollar while five $1 tickets return only 50-60 cents per dollar combined. See our analysis on this →
Frequently Asked Questions
Which scratch-off tickets win the most often?
Tickets with the lowest overall odds (e.g., 1 in 3.0) win most frequently. These are typically higher-priced games ($20-$50). However, “winning” often means getting your money back or winning a small amount — not necessarily coming out ahead. For actual profit potential, look at ROI instead of overall odds.
Which scratch-off tickets win the most money?
Tickets with the highest expected value (EV) and ROI give you the most money back per dollar spent. This changes daily as prizes are claimed. Check your state’s current rankings for today’s best-value games.
Are $20 scratch-off tickets better than $5 tickets?
On average, yes. Our data shows $20 tickets typically return 72-78 cents per dollar vs. 65-70 cents for $5 tickets. But individual games vary — a specific $5 game with all top prizes intact might outperform a $20 game that’s been picked over. Always check remaining prizes.
What is the best scratch-off ticket to buy right now?
It depends on your state and changes daily. Visit your state page and check the “Best Value” tab for today’s top-ranked games based on current remaining prizes and expected return.
Do some states have better scratch-off odds than others?
Yes. States set their own payout percentages. Massachusetts, for example, is known for higher payout rates (often 70-80% return to players) compared to some states that return only 55-65%. However, the best game in a “low payout” state can still beat the worst game in a “high payout” state.
How do I know if a scratch-off game still has top prizes?
Check your state lottery’s official website or use our state pages which track remaining prizes daily. Games with all top prizes claimed are flagged with a warning.
The Bottom Line
The scratch-off tickets that “win the most” aren’t necessarily the ones with the best overall odds. They’re the ones with the best expected value relative to their price — which means looking at ROI, remaining prizes, and price tier rather than just the odds printed on the back.
The single most impactful thing you can do: check remaining prizes before you buy. A game with all top prizes claimed is objectively worse than one with prizes still available, regardless of what the odds say. We make this easy by tracking every active game across 43 states, updated daily.
→ Find the best scratch-off tickets in your state right now
Analysis based on daily tracking of 2,700+ active scratch-off games across 43 states. Data sourced from official state lottery websites. For methodology details, see how we calculate expected value.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. Scratch-off tickets are games of chance — no strategy guarantees a win. Past performance does not predict 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.