New Mexico Scratchers Report — May 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
New Mexico scratch-off players have 47 active games to choose from this month. The standout news: 1 game has positive ROI — JURASSIC PARK. 6 games have lost all top prizes — avoid those. 8 new games launched recently with all prizes intact.
Over the past 31 days, scratch-off games in this state paid out approximately $3.3 million in prizes, averaging $106,331 per day across 47 active games. Cash Bonanza leads in prize activity with $460,790 claimed ($20 ticket). 3 top prizes remain. Triple Red 777s follows with $282,290 in claims.
Data period: May 1–26, 2026 · 47 active games analyzed · Updated from official New Mexico Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 47 |
| Positive ROI Games | 1 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -43.2% |
| Best Game | JURASSIC PARK ($10) at +7.8% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 6 games |
| New Releases | 8 games |
Top 10 Best Value Games
These New Mexico 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 | JURASSIC PARK | $10 | +7.8% | $10.78 | $100,000 | 1 |
| 2 | Bingo Extra | $2 | -19.0% | $1.62 | $5,000 | 3 |
| 3 | Sizzling Riches | $20 | -26.4% | $14.72 | $200,000 | 2 |
| 4 | 100X | $20 | -28.4% | $14.31 | $100,000 | 2 |
| 5 | $25, $50 or $100! | $10 | -31.9% | $6.81 | $100 | 10053 |
| 6 | Double Your Luck | $10 | -32.1% | $6.79 | $10,000 | 2 |
| 7 | Money Rush | $5 | -33.0% | $3.35 | $50,000 | 2 |
| 8 | Merry Money | $1 | -35.3% | $0.65 | $20 | 1189 |
| 9 | Bonus Money | $10 | -36.7% | $6.33 | $10,000 | 1 |
| 10 | Cash Bonanza | $20 | -38.7% | $12.27 | $20,000 | 3 |
Positive ROI highlight: JURASSIC PARK at +7.8% ROI means every $10 ticket returns an average of $10.78 in expected value — a statistical profit of $0.78 per ticket. This is rare and temporary — as prizes are claimed, ROI will drop.
Games to Avoid: All Top Prizes Claimed
These 6 games have had all top prizes claimed. Their expected value has dropped significantly, making them the worst value options in New Mexico right now.
| Game | Price | ROI | Original Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Twist | $2 | -41.7% | $5,000 |
| Wild Cash Multiplier | $10 | -45.9% | $5,000 |
| Money Bag Bingo | $3 | -47.6% | $10,000 |
| Merry Money 10X | $5 | -50.9% | $1,000 |
| Winner Winner Chicken Dinner | $5 | -52.9% | $5,000 |
| SKEE-BALL® | $3 | -54.4% | $15,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sizzling Riches | $20 | $200,000 | 2 | -26.4% |
| JURASSIC PARK | $10 | $100,000 | 1 | +7.8% |
| 100X | $20 | $100,000 | 2 | -28.4% |
| Money Rush | $5 | $50,000 | 2 | -33.0% |
1 game is down to the last top prize. The largest unclaimed top prize in New Mexico is $200,000 on Sizzling Riches ($20 ticket).
New Releases
New Mexico launched 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bingo Extra | $2 | -19.0% | $5,000 | 1 in 3.93 |
| Cash Bonanza | $20 | -38.7% | $20,000 | 1 in 3.68 |
| Triple Red 777s | $10 | -40.1% | $20,000 | 1 in 3.45 |
| Crossword Deluxe | $5 | -41.8% | $5,000 | 1 in 3.85 |
| Xtra Bonus | $1 | -42.4% | $1,000 | 1 in 4.88 |
| Dinero Loco | $1 | -42.9% | $1,000 | 1 in 4.87 |
| I Love Cash | $2 | -46.7% | $5,000 | 1 in 3.99 |
| Crossword Tripler | $3 | -50.4% | $30,000 | 1 in 3.89 |
Bingo Extra is the standout new release at -19.0% ROI — better than average for a $2 ticket.
Smart Strategy: Best Combos
Our alternative strategy analysis found that some New Mexico games can be beaten by buying a combination of cheaper tickets with higher total expected value.
Top recommendation: At the $3 price point, buy 1x Bingo Extra ($2) + 1x Merry Money ($1) instead — that’s +79.6% more expected value for the same spend.
| Price Tier | Games Beaten | Best Combo | EV Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2 | 0/9 | 2x Merry Money ($1) | +20.8% |
| $3 | 0/7 | 1x Bingo Extra ($2) + 1x Merry Money ($1) | +57.2% |
| $5 | 0/8 | 2x Bingo Extra ($2) + 1x Merry Money ($1) | +44.5% |
| $10 | 0/10 | 5x Bingo Extra ($2) | +36.1% |
| $15 | 0/1 | 1x JURASSIC PARK ($10) + 2x Bingo Extra ($2) + 1x Merry Money ($1) | +71% |
| $20 | 0/3 | 2x JURASSIC PARK ($10) | +57.7% |
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 Mexico price points?
| Price | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game | Best ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 9 | -47.5% | Merry Money | -35.3% |
| $2 | 9 | -43.2% | Bingo Extra | -19.0% |
| $3 | 7 | -51.6% | Lucky Numbers | -47.4% |
| $5 | 8 | -45.5% | Money Rush | -33.0% |
| $10 | 10 | -35.2% | JURASSIC PARK | +7.8% |
| $15 | 1 | -42.8% | The Return of the Pink Panther™ Crossword | -42.8% |
| $20 | 3 | -31.2% | Sizzling Riches | -26.4% |
The $20 tier offers the best average value at -31.2% ROI, while the $3 tier is the weakest at -51.6%. The gap between best and worst tiers is 20 percentage points.
How to Use This Data
- Check live rankings: This report is a snapshot. For real-time data, visit the New Mexico 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 Mexico stacks up against other states in our National Scratchers Report.
New Mexico Lottery Quick Facts
- Official website: nmlottery.com
- State tax on winnings: 5.9% state tax (plus 24% federal withholding on prizes over $5,000)
- Active scratch-off games: 47 (as of May 2026)
Related Resources
- New Mexico 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.