Kentucky Scratchers Report — May 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
Kentucky has 66 active scratch-off games this month. While none currently have positive ROI, Jefferson leads at -5.2% — one of the better values in the state. 16 games have lost all top prizes — avoid those.
Over the past 31 days, scratch-off games in this state paid out approximately $51.1 million in prizes, averaging $1.6 million per day across 79 active games. The overall prize pool decreased by 5.3% during this period, with 1,973,066 individual prizes claimed across all tiers. Instant Millionaire leads in prize activity with $5.9 million claimed ($50 ticket). 2 top prizes remain. Money Maker follows with $3.6 million in claims, with only 1 top prize remaining.
Data period: May 1–26, 2026 · 66 active games analyzed · Updated from official Kentucky Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 66 |
| Positive ROI Games | 0 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -30.7% |
| Best Game | Jefferson ($2) at -5.2% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 16 games |
| New Releases | 0 games |
Top 10 Best Value Games
These Kentucky 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 | Jefferson | $2 | -5.2% | $1.90 | $25,000 | 0 |
| 2 | $5,000,000 Fortune | $50 | -6.1% | $46.96 | $3,400,000 | 1 |
| 3 | Mega Cash | $20 | -18.2% | $16.36 | $670,000 | 2 |
| 4 | Deluxe Gold | $30 | -18.5% | $24.46 | $1,000,000 | 2 |
| 5 | Millionaire Club | $50 | -20.4% | $39.81 | $1,000,000 | 1 |
| 6 | Instant Millionaire | $50 | -21.0% | $39.48 | $2,000,000 | 2 |
| 7 | Fastest Road to $3 Million™ | $30 | -21.3% | $23.62 | $2,514,835 | 2 |
| 8 | Kentucky Jackpot | $10 | -21.5% | $7.85 | $250,000 | 1 |
| 9 | Winter Ice | $10 | -22.0% | $7.80 | $200,000 | 1 |
| 10 | $2,000,000 Diamond Dazzler | $30 | -22.3% | $23.31 | $1,742,000 | 1 |
No Kentucky games currently have positive ROI, but the top performers in the -18% to -22% range represent significantly better value than the state average of -30.7%. 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 16 games have had all top prizes claimed. Their expected value has dropped significantly, making them the worst value options in Kentucky right now.
| Game | Price | ROI | Original Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | $2 | -5.2% | $25,000 |
| Cash Bonus | $20 | -30.8% | $500,000 |
| 50X Cash | $20 | -31.3% | $500,000 |
| Kentucky Jackpot | $20 | -32.0% | $680,000 |
| Wild Cash 100X | $10 | -32.2% | $250,000 |
| Hot 5’s | $5 | -32.9% | $55,000 |
| Wild Cash Multiplier | $5 | -34.7% | $90,000 |
| Wild Cash 50X | $5 | -35.1% | $175,000 |
| Kentucky Jackpot | $30 | -37.4% | $2,040,000 |
| $100,000 Casino Nights | $5 | -38.4% | $100,000 |
| Triple Red 777 | $10 | -38.5% | $300,000 |
| Wild Cash 200X | $20 | -39.2% | $1,025,000 |
| Twinkle Cash | $3 | -41.7% | $30,000 |
| Lucky Fortune | $5 | -42.1% | $100,000 |
| Merry Multiplier | $5 | -44.4% | $100,000 |
| Snow Much Fun Multiplier | $1 | -52.7% | $1,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000,000 Fortune | $50 | $3,400,000 | 1 | -6.1% |
| Fastest Road to $3 Million™ | $30 | $2,514,835 | 2 | -21.3% |
| Mega Multiplier! | $30 | $2,281,000 | 1 | -23.1% |
| Instant Millionaire | $50 | $2,000,000 | 2 | -21.0% |
| $2,000,000 Diamond Dazzler | $30 | $1,742,000 | 1 | -22.3% |
| Deluxe Gold | $30 | $1,000,000 | 2 | -18.5% |
| Millionaire Club | $50 | $1,000,000 | 1 | -20.4% |
| $1,000,000 Luck | $20 | $862,000 | 1 | -26.8% |
| Max-A-Million | $20 | $838,278 | 2 | -24.8% |
| High Roller | $20 | $834,000 | 2 | -26.3% |
| Lucky Streak | $20 | $750,000 | 1 | -26.0% |
| Mega Cash | $20 | $670,000 | 2 | -18.2% |
20 games are down to the last top prize. The largest unclaimed top prize in Kentucky is $3,400,000 on $5,000,000 Fortune ($50 ticket).
Smart Strategy: Best Combos
Our alternative strategy analysis found that some Kentucky games can be beaten by buying a combination of cheaper tickets with higher total expected value.
Top recommendation: At the $5 price point, buy 2x Jefferson ($2) + 1x $1 Break Fort Knox ($1) instead — that’s +58.4% more expected value for the same spend.
| Price Tier | Games Beaten | Best Combo | EV Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2 | 0/6 | 2x $1 Break Fort Knox ($1) | +2.7% |
| $3 | 0/6 | 1x Jefferson ($2) + 1x $1 Break Fort Knox ($1) | +37.6% |
| $5 | 0/23 | 2x Jefferson ($2) + 1x $1 Break Fort Knox ($1) | +33.3% |
| $10 | 0/19 | 5x Jefferson ($2) | +34% |
| $20 | 0/14 | 10x Jefferson ($2) | +32.1% |
| $30 | 0/5 | 15x Jefferson ($2) | +26.7% |
| $50 | 0/3 | 25x Jefferson ($2) | +13.4% |
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 Kentucky price points?
| Price | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game | Best ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 3 | -43.6% | $1 Break Fort Knox | -38.9% |
| $2 | 5 | -32.6% | Jefferson | -5.2% |
| $3 | 4 | -39.1% | Wild Cash 30X | -34.7% |
| $5 | 18 | -33.7% | Wild 7’s | -30.1% |
| $10 | 16 | -29.0% | Kentucky Jackpot | -21.5% |
| $20 | 12 | -27.9% | Mega Cash | -18.2% |
| $30 | 5 | -24.5% | Deluxe Gold | -18.5% |
| $50 | 3 | -15.8% | $5,000,000 Fortune | -6.1% |
The $50 tier offers the best average value at -15.8% ROI, while the $1 tier is the weakest at -43.6%. The gap between best and worst tiers is 28 percentage points.
How to Use This Data
- Check live rankings: This report is a snapshot. For real-time data, visit the Kentucky 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 Kentucky stacks up against other states in our National Scratchers Report.
Kentucky Lottery Quick Facts
- Official website: kylottery.com
- State tax on winnings: 4.5% state tax (plus 24% federal withholding on prizes over $5,000)
- Active scratch-off games: 66 (as of May 2026)
Related Resources
- Kentucky 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.