New Jersey Scratchers Report — May 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
New Jersey has 58 active scratch-off games this month. The best current value is $50,000,000 Fast Cash at -30.9% ROI. 2 games have lost all top prizes — avoid those. 3 new games launched recently with all prizes intact.
Over the past 31 days, scratch-off games in this state paid out approximately $111.7 million in prizes, averaging $3.6 million per day across 58 active games. Jersey Riches leads in prize activity with $8.3 million claimed ($30 ticket). 8 top prizes remain. $1 Million Premier Ca$h follows with $8.0 million in claims.
Data period: May 1–26, 2026 · 58 active games analyzed · Updated from official New Jersey Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 58 |
| Positive ROI Games | 0 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -40.1% |
| Best Game | $50,000,000 Fast Cash ($20) at -30.9% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 2 games |
| New Releases | 3 games |
Top 10 Best Value Games
These New Jersey 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 | $50,000,000 Fast Cash | $20 | -30.9% | $13.82 | $500 | 3775 |
| 2 | Cash Lines | $5 | -32.0% | $3.40 | $500 | 3201 |
| 3 | Neon Cash Party | $10 | -32.3% | $6.77 | $500,000 | 1 |
| 4 | Millionaire Maker | $25 | -33.0% | $16.74 | $50,000 | 3 |
| 5 | $50,000 Jumbo Bucks | $10 | -33.3% | $6.67 | $50,000 | 21 |
| 6 | 20X | $5 | -33.6% | $3.32 | $200,000 | 3 |
| 7 | Money Vault Bingo | $5 | -33.8% | $3.31 | $100,000 | 3 |
| 8 | Crossword Xtreme | $30 | -34.4% | $19.68 | $600,000 | 1 |
| 9 | $500,000 Lion’s Share | $10 | -34.4% | $6.56 | $500,000 | 1 |
| 10 | Crossword Bonanza | $20 | -34.6% | $13.08 | $400,000 | 1 |
No New Jersey games currently have positive ROI, but the top performers in the -18% to -22% range represent significantly better value than the state average of -40.1%. 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 2 games have had all top prizes claimed. Their expected value has dropped significantly, making them the worst value options in New Jersey right now.
| Game | Price | ROI | Original Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Line Bingo | $5 | -45.7% | $100,000 |
| Super Crossword | $5 | -59.3% | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crossword Xtreme | $30 | $600,000 | 1 | -34.4% |
| Neon Cash Party | $10 | $500,000 | 1 | -32.3% |
| $500,000 Lion’s Share | $10 | $500,000 | 1 | -34.4% |
| Cash Fever | $10 | $500,000 | 3 | -36.4% |
| Disco Dollarfest | $10 | $500,000 | 2 | -36.9% |
| Neon 9’s | $10 | $500,000 | 1 | -38.3% |
| Winter Ice | $10 | $500,000 | 1 | -39.4% |
| Super Hot 7’s | $10 | $500,000 | 1 | -41.2% |
| $500,000 Gold Payout | $10 | $500,000 | 1 | -42.5% |
| The Shore Thing | $10 | $500,000 | 1 | -42.6% |
| 50X Cash Blitz | $10 | $500,000 | 1 | -43.5% |
| Crossword Bonanza | $20 | $400,000 | 1 | -34.6% |
15 games are down to the last top prize. The largest unclaimed top prize in New Jersey is $600,000 on Crossword Xtreme ($30 ticket).
New Releases
New Jersey launched 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 Million Premier Ca$h | $20 | -35.3% | $10,000 | 1 in 3.61 |
| Jersey Dog | $5 | -36.0% | $200,000 | 1 in 4.12 |
| Loose Change | $1 | -47.6% | $500 | 1 in 4.42 |
Smart Strategy: Best Combos
Our alternative strategy analysis found that some New Jersey 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 Big Money Spectacular ($2) + 1x Loose Change ($1) instead — that’s +44.3% more expected value for the same spend.
| Price Tier | Games Beaten | Best Combo | EV Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3 | 0/3 | 1x Big Money Spectacular ($2) + 1x Loose Change ($1) | +8.5% |
| $5 | 0/16 | 2x Big Money Spectacular ($2) + 1x Loose Change ($1) | +12.5% |
| $10 | 0/14 | 2x Cash Lines ($5) | +11.1% |
| $20 | 0/11 | 4x Cash Lines ($5) | +9.7% |
| $25 | 0/1 | 1x $50,000,000 Fast Cash ($20) + 1x Cash Lines ($5) | +2.8% |
| $30 | 0/5 | 1x $50,000,000 Fast Cash ($20) + 2x Cash Lines ($5) | +8.9% |
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 New Jersey price points?
| Price | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game | Best ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 2 | -49.8% | Loose Change | -47.6% |
| $2 | 6 | -43.9% | Big Money Spectacular | -39.6% |
| $3 | 3 | -46.7% | Crossword | -43.9% |
| $5 | 16 | -40.7% | Cash Lines | -32.0% |
| $10 | 14 | -38.6% | Neon Cash Party | -32.3% |
| $20 | 11 | -37.3% | $50,000,000 Fast Cash | -30.9% |
| $25 | 1 | -33.0% | Millionaire Maker | -33.0% |
| $30 | 5 | -36.9% | Crossword Xtreme | -34.4% |
The $30 tier offers the best average value at -36.9% ROI, while the $1 tier is the weakest at -49.8%. The gap between best and worst tiers is 13 percentage points.
How to Use This Data
- Check live rankings: This report is a snapshot. For real-time data, visit the New Jersey 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 New Jersey stacks up against other states in our National Scratchers Report.
New Jersey Lottery Quick Facts
- Official website: njlottery.com
- State tax on winnings: 8% state tax (plus 24% federal withholding on prizes over $5,000)
- Active scratch-off games: 58 (as of May 2026)
Related Resources
- New Jersey 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.