Maryland Scratchers Report — May 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
Maryland has 83 active scratch-off games this month. While none currently have positive ROI, Mega Money leads at -17.1% — one of the better values in the state. 1 game has lost all top prizes — avoid those. 16 new games launched recently with all prizes intact.
Over the past 31 days, scratch-off games in this state paid out approximately $68.7 million in prizes, averaging $2.2 million per day across 83 active games. Unknown leads in prize activity with $8.8 million claimed. Diamonds & Gold follows with $4.4 million in claims, with only 2 top prizes remaining.
Data period: May 1–26, 2026 · 83 active games analyzed · Updated from official Maryland Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 83 |
| Positive ROI Games | 0 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -28.8% |
| Best Game | Mega Money ($30) at -17.1% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 1 games |
| New Releases | 16 games |
Top 10 Best Value Games
These Maryland 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 | Mega Money | $30 | -17.1% | $24.86 | $2,000,000 | 4 |
| 2 | $5,000,000 CASH | $50 | -20.4% | $39.78 | $5,000,000 | 2 |
| 3 | Diamonds & Gold | $30 | -20.5% | $23.84 | $2,000,000 | 2 |
| 4 | $100,000 Ca$h | $30 | -20.8% | $23.76 | $100,000 | 45 |
| 5 | Ace of Spades | $30 | -21.3% | $23.61 | $2,000,000 | 2 |
| 6 | $5,000 Large | $30 | -21.3% | $23.61 | $5,000 | 805 |
| 7 | Fire | $30 | -21.4% | $23.59 | $2,000,000 | 2 |
| 8 | THE GAME OF LIFE™ | $20 | -21.5% | $15.70 | $1,000,000 | 3 |
| 9 | Double Your Money | $10 | -21.7% | $7.83 | $100,000 | 7 |
| 10 | MONOPOLY™ X100 | $20 | -22.0% | $15.60 | $1,000,000 | 2 |
No Maryland games currently have positive ROI, but the top performers in the -18% to -22% range represent significantly better value than the state average of -28.8%. 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 1 games have had all top prizes claimed. Their expected value has dropped significantly, making them the worst value options in Maryland right now.
| Game | Price | ROI | Original Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONOPOLY™ X20 | $5 | -42.0% | $50,000 |
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 CASH | $50 | $5,000,000 | 2 | -20.4% |
| $5,000,000 Fortune | $50 | $5,000,000 | 1 | -22.4% |
| Diamonds & Gold | $30 | $2,000,000 | 2 | -20.5% |
| Ace of Spades | $30 | $2,000,000 | 2 | -21.3% |
| Fire | $30 | $2,000,000 | 2 | -21.4% |
| MONOPOLY™ X200 | $30 | $2,000,000 | 2 | -22.3% |
| 200X the Cash | $30 | $2,000,000 | 3 | -23.2% |
| THE GAME OF LIFE™ | $20 | $1,000,000 | 3 | -21.5% |
| MONOPOLY™ X100 | $20 | $1,000,000 | 2 | -22.0% |
| $1,000,000 Crossword | $25 | $1,000,000 | 3 | -22.3% |
| Lucky 777 | $20 | $1,000,000 | 3 | -22.4% |
| $1 Million Royale | $20 | $1,000,000 | 2 | -23.2% |
11 games are down to the last top prize. The largest unclaimed top prize in Maryland is $5,000,000 on $5,000,000 CASH ($50 ticket).
New Releases
Maryland launched 16 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamonds & Gold | $30 | -20.5% | $2,000,000 | 1 in 2.81 |
| Triple Red 777s | $20 | -22.1% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 2.98 |
| $1,000,000 Crossword | $25 | -22.3% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 2.83 |
| Money | $10 | -22.7% | $250,000 | 1 in 3.34 |
| Rose Gold | $10 | -24.7% | $100,000 | 1 in 3.4 |
| Triple Red 7s Multiplier | $10 | -25.1% | $77,777 | 1 in 3.34 |
| Scratch & Match | $10 | -25.2% | $100,000 | 1 in 3.45 |
| Bingo X10 | $10 | -25.3% | $100,000 | 1 in 3.22 |
| Triple Red 7s Tripler | $5 | -27.9% | $57,777 | 1 in 3.94 |
| Win $25, $50 or $100 | $5 | -28.0% | $100 | 1 in 9.36 |
| Winning Streak | $5 | -29.1% | $50,000 | 1 in 3.78 |
| Ms.PAC-MAN™ | $3 | -32.3% | $30,000 | 1 in 3.92 |
| THE BIG SPIN | $5 | -32.5% | $50,000 | 1 in 3.93 |
| Bonus Crossword | $3 | -32.7% | $30,000 | 1 in 3.66 |
| Triple Red 7s Doubler | $2 | -36.0% | $7,777 | 1 in 4 |
| Triple Red 7s | $1 | -40.0% | $777 | 1 in 4.48 |
Diamonds & Gold is the standout new release at -20.5% ROI — better than average for a $30 ticket.
Smart Strategy: Best Combos
Our alternative strategy analysis found that some Maryland games can be beaten by buying a combination of cheaper tickets with higher total expected value.
Top recommendation: At the $5 price point, buy 1x Diamond Bingo ($3) + 1x Triple Red 7s Doubler ($2) instead — that’s +14.8% more expected value for the same spend.
| Price Tier | Games Beaten | Best Combo | EV Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2 | 0/8 | 2x Triple Red 7s ($1) | +8.1% |
| $5 | 0/21 | 1x Diamond Bingo ($3) + 1x Triple Red 7s Doubler ($2) | +9.4% |
| $10 | 0/21 | 2x Lucky 7s Tripler ($5) | +0.9% |
| $20 | 0/10 | 2x Double Your Money ($10) | +3% |
| $30 | 0/8 | 1x THE GAME OF LIFE™ ($20) + 1x Double Your Money ($10) | +1.5% |
| $50 | 0/2 | 1x Mega Money ($30) + 1x THE GAME OF LIFE™ ($20) | +3.3% |
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 Maryland price points?
| Price | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game | Best ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 5 | -43.6% | Triple Red 7s | -40.0% |
| $2 | 8 | -40.1% | Triple Red 7s Doubler | -36.0% |
| $3 | 7 | -33.4% | Diamond Bingo | -31.7% |
| $5 | 21 | -30.2% | Lucky 7s Tripler | -25.7% |
| $10 | 21 | -24.6% | Double Your Money | -21.7% |
| $20 | 10 | -23.7% | THE GAME OF LIFE™ | -21.5% |
| $25 | 1 | -22.3% | $1,000,000 Crossword | -22.3% |
| $30 | 8 | -21.0% | Mega Money | -17.1% |
| $50 | 2 | -21.4% | $5,000,000 CASH | -20.4% |
The $30 tier offers the best average value at -21.0% ROI, while the $1 tier is the weakest at -43.6%. 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 Maryland 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 Maryland stacks up against other states in our National Scratchers Report.
Maryland Lottery Quick Facts
- Official website: mdlottery.com
- State tax on winnings: 8.75% state tax (residents) (plus 24% federal withholding on prizes over $5,000)
- Active scratch-off games: 83 (as of May 2026)
Related Resources
- Maryland 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.