North Carolina Scratchers Report — July 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
North Carolina scratch-off players have 80 active games to choose from in July 2026, led by $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe at -6.2% ROI. This month’s highlights: 23 new games launched, 2 games with all top prizes claimed.
Data period: July 2026 · 80 active games analyzed · Updated from official North Carolina Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 80 |
| Positive ROI Games | 0 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -28.1% |
| Best Game | $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe ($20) at -6.2% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 2 games |
| New Releases | 23 games |
| Prize Claim Deadline | 180 days |
| State Tax on Winnings | 4.5% state tax |
Key Takeaway: North Carolina’s average ROI of -28.1% is competitive nationally. Check our live North Carolina rankings for daily-updated data.
Top 10 Best Value Games
These North Carolina scratch-off games offer the highest Return on Investment (ROI) based on remaining prizes.
| # | Game | Price | ROI | EV | Top Prize | Top Left |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe | $20 | -6.2% | $18.76 | $2,000,000 | 2 |
| 2 | 100X The Cash | $20 | -12.2% | $17.56 | $2,000,000 | 1 |
| 3 | Win Big | $20 | -12.9% | $17.42 | $2,000,000 | 2 |
| 4 | $5,000,000 Ultimate | $30 | -14.1% | $25.76 | $5,000,000 | 3 |
| 5 | Black Titanium | $30 | -14.6% | $25.61 | $4,000,000 | 1 |
| 6 | Ruby Red 7’s | $20 | -14.9% | $17.01 | $2,000,000 | 2 |
| 7 | $1,000,000 Bonus Match | $10 | -15.6% | $8.44 | $1,000,000 | 2 |
| 8 | 500X The Cash | $50 | -16.0% | $42.00 | $10,000,000 | 5 |
| 9 | Carolina Black Premier | $30 | -17.5% | $24.74 | $4,000,000 | 2 |
| 10 | Millionaire Bucks | $30 | -17.7% | $24.70 | $5,000,000 | 3 |
$2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe leads North Carolina at -6.2% ROI on a $20 ticket. While no game in the state currently offers positive ROI, the top tier (above -20% ROI) represents significantly better value than the average game.
Games to Avoid: All Top Prizes Claimed
These games have had all top prizes claimed and offer the worst value in the state.
| Game | Price | ROI | Original Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jurassic Park | $5 | -45.9% | $200,000 |
| JUMBO BUCKS | $10 | -34.9% | $1,000,000 |
These depleted games average significantly worse ROI than games with intact prize pools. For more on why this matters, see our guide: How ROI Changes Over a Game’s Lifetime.
Top Prize Watch List
These games have 3 or fewer top prizes remaining worth $100,000+. When claimed, expect a measurable value drop.
| Game | Price | Top Prize | Remaining | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8 Million Money Maker | $50 | $8,000,000 | 1 | -19.2% |
| $5,000,000 Ultimate | $30 | $5,000,000 | 3 | -14.1% |
| Millionaire Bucks | $30 | $5,000,000 | 3 | -17.7% |
| 200X The Cash | $30 | $5,000,000 | 3 | -18.0% |
| 200X The Cash | $30 | $5,000,000 | 2 | -18.7% |
| Black Titanium | $30 | $4,000,000 | 1 | -14.6% |
| Carolina Black Premier | $30 | $4,000,000 | 2 | -17.5% |
| Supreme 7s | $30 | $4,000,000 | 1 | -20.5% |
| $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe | $20 | $2,000,000 | 2 | -6.2% |
| 100X The Cash | $20 | $2,000,000 | 1 | -12.2% |
16 games are down to a single top prize. These could see significant value drops at any moment.
New Releases This Month
| Game | Price | ROI | Top Prize | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500X The Cash | $50 | -16.0% | $10,000,000 | 3 |
| 20 Years | $20 | -22.0% | $1,000,000 | 0 |
| $100,000 Cash Payday | $30 | -22.1% | $100,000 | 0 |
| LOTERIA™ MULTIPLIER | $10 | -24.5% | $1,000,000 | 0 |
| Extreme Money Blowout | $20 | -24.7% | $2,000 | 0 |
| Jumbo Bucks | $10 | -24.7% | $1,000,000 | 0 |
| 50X The Cash | $10 | -24.9% | $1,000,000 | 3 |
| Jackpot Millions | $20 | -25.4% | $1,000,000 | 0 |
| Triple Red 777 Jackpot | $10 | -25.9% | $1,000,000 | 0 |
| Big Cash Blowout | $10 | -27.5% | $500 | 0 |
The best new release is 500X The Cash at -16.0% ROI. All prizes are intact on these new games.
Price Tier Breakdown
| Price Tier | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | 3 | -18.0% | 500X The Cash (-16.0%) |
| $30 | 9 | -18.0% | $5,000,000 Ultimate (-14.1%) |
| $20 | 15 | -20.0% | $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe (-6.2%) |
| $10 | 16 | -25.3% | $1,000,000 Bonus Match (-15.6%) |
| $5 | 22 | -33.0% | $400,000 Jackpot (-28.1%) |
| $3 | 1 | -37.8% | LOTERIA® (-37.8%) |
| $2 | 9 | -38.5% | 10X The Cash (-34.0%) |
| $1 | 5 | -43.2% | 5X The Cash (-39.9%) |
As with most states, higher-priced tickets tend to return a better percentage. See our guide on how price affects return rates.
How to Use This Data
- Check live rankings before buying: Visit our North Carolina Scratch-Off Rankings page for real-time data updated daily
- Focus on the top tier: Games in the top 5 offer significantly better value than the state average
- Watch the Top Prize Watch List: Games with 1 remaining top prize can drop in value overnight
- Try the combo strategy: Two cheaper tickets often beat one expensive one
Related Resources
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.
