The Most Expensive Scratch-Off Tickets in the U.S.
The highest-priced scratch-off tickets in the United States are the $100 games offered by the Texas Lottery. As of 2026, Texas offers multiple $100 scratch-off games including “$20 Million Supreme,” “$400 Million Mega Bucks,” and “Loteria Supreme” — each offering multi-million dollar top prizes.
Oklahoma is the only other state to match this price point, introducing a $100 “Deluxe Gold” game. Beyond these two states, the next tier down is $50, offered by several states including Massachusetts, Ohio, California, and Pennsylvania.
Highest Ticket Price Available by State
| Price Tier | States | Typical Top Prize |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | Texas, Oklahoma | $10M – $20M |
| $50 | Massachusetts, Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, Michigan, Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina | $2M – $10M |
| $30 | Most remaining states with lotteries | $1M – $5M |
| $20 | Some smaller-market states | $500K – $2M |
What Makes $100 Tickets Different?
The Texas $100 scratch-offs aren’t just bigger versions of $1 tickets. They’re fundamentally different products:
- Better overall odds: Typically 1 in 3.49 to 1 in 3.82 (compared to 1 in 4.5-5.0 for $1 tickets)
- Higher minimum prize: The smallest prize on a $100 ticket is typically $100-$150 (break-even or slightly above)
- More play areas: Multiple games per ticket — you might have 25+ chances to win on a single card
- Larger prize pool: Games like “$400 Million Mega Bucks” have $800+ million in total prizes across the print run
- Better payout rate: Typically 78-85% return to players (vs 50-60% for $1 tickets)
Are Expensive Scratch-Off Tickets Actually a Better Value?
From a pure mathematical standpoint, yes. Here’s how payout rates compare:
| Ticket Price | Avg Payout Rate | Avg Loss Per $1 Spent | Overall Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 52% | $0.48 | 1 in 4.5-5.0 |
| $5 | 65% | $0.35 | 1 in 3.5-4.0 |
| $10 | 71% | $0.29 | 1 in 3.2-3.7 |
| $20 | 76% | $0.24 | 1 in 2.8-3.3 |
| $30 | 78% | $0.22 | 1 in 2.7-3.2 |
| $50 | 80% | $0.20 | 1 in 2.5-3.0 |
| $100 | 82% | $0.18 | 1 in 3.4-3.8 |
The pattern is clear: you lose less per dollar spent as you move up in price. A $1 ticket eats 48 cents of every dollar. A $50 ticket eats only 20 cents. That’s a 60% reduction in loss rate.
However, this doesn’t mean expensive tickets are a good investment. You’re still losing money on average — just losing it more slowly per dollar. And the absolute dollar amount of each loss is much higher. Losing $100 on a single ticket hurts significantly more than losing $1, even if the percentage loss is smaller.
The Biggest Prizes Available Right Now
Here are some of the largest scratch-off prizes currently offered across U.S. states:
| State | Game | Price | Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $400 Million Mega Bucks | $100 | $20,000,000 |
| Texas | $20 Million Supreme | $100 | $20,000,000 |
| New York | Various $50 games | $50 | $10,000,000 |
| Florida | $50 games | $50 | $5,000,000 – $15,000,000 |
| California | $30 games | $30 | $5,000,000 – $10,000,000 |
| Massachusetts | Lifetime Millions | $50 | $1,000,000/year for life |
| Pennsylvania | $50 games | $50 | $5,000,000 |
Check your state’s current highest-value games with remaining top prizes on ScratchersParadise. We track which top prizes have been claimed and which are still available.
Should You Buy Expensive Tickets?
The answer depends on your situation:
Buy expensive tickets if:
- You have a fixed entertainment budget and want the best mathematical return per dollar
- You prefer fewer, higher-quality plays over many low-value ones
- You can afford to lose $20-$100 without financial stress
- You want access to life-changing prizes ($1M+)
Stick to cheaper tickets if:
- You prefer more tickets and more independent chances to win
- Your budget is small ($5-$10 per session)
- Losing $20-$100 at once would be stressful
- You play for fun/entertainment rather than chasing big prizes
For a deeper analysis of which price tier gives you the best return, see our guide on whether scratch-offs are worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive scratch-off ticket ever sold?
The $100 Texas Lottery scratch-offs are the most expensive currently available in the U.S. No state has gone above $100. Internationally, some markets offer higher denominations, but in the United States, $100 is the ceiling.
Do expensive scratch-offs sell out faster?
Not necessarily. Premium tickets ($50-$100) have smaller print runs and fewer total tickets, but they also have fewer buyers due to the high price point. Some expensive games stay on shelves for a long time. This can actually be an advantage — if a game has been available for months with top prizes unclaimed, remaining tickets may have improved odds.
Are $100 scratch-offs worth buying?
They offer the best payout rate (82%+) and odds of any price tier. But you’re still expected to lose about $18 for every $100 ticket you buy on average. They’re “worth it” in the same way a premium steak is worth it vs. a burger — better experience and value per dollar, but still a cost, not a profit.
Can I buy $100 scratch-offs online?
Currently, Jackpot.com offers some Texas scratch-offs online including higher-price options. Availability varies. Most $100 tickets are purchased in-store at Texas and Oklahoma lottery retailers.
Why don’t all states offer $100 tickets?
Many states have legislative caps on scratch-off ticket prices. Concerns about problem gambling, equity (lower-income players spending too much), and political optics have prevented most states from going above $30-$50. Texas has been the pioneer in premium pricing due to its large market and limited gambling alternatives (no casinos).
