Ohio Scratchers Report — May 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
Ohio scratch-off players have 77 active games to choose from this month. The standout news: 1 game has positive ROI — 50th Anniversary. 9 games have lost all top prizes — avoid those. 77 new games launched recently with all prizes intact.
Over the past 31 days, scratch-off games in this state paid out approximately $145.1 million in prizes, averaging $4.7 million per day across 88 active games. $300 Million Diamond Dazzler leads in prize activity with $9.2 million claimed ($20 ticket). 9 top prizes remain. Ultimate $5,000,000 follows with $8.2 million in claims.
Data period: May 1–26, 2026 · 77 active games analyzed · Updated from official Ohio Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 77 |
| Positive ROI Games | 1 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -28.9% |
| Best Game | 50th Anniversary ($50) at +5.9% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 9 games |
| New Releases | 77 games |
Top 10 Best Value Games
These Ohio 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 | 50th Anniversary | $50 | +5.9% | $52.94 | $15,000,000 | 2 |
| 2 | Holiday Millions | $30 | -8.6% | $27.42 | $2,000,000 | 1 |
| 3 | VIP Millions | $50 | -9.9% | $45.03 | $1,000,000 | 10 |
| 4 | $1,000,000 Cash Is King | $20 | -11.3% | $17.75 | $654,596 | 1 |
| 5 | Billion | $50 | -12.3% | $43.87 | $15,606,610 | 2 |
| 6 | $2,000,000 Cash Blast | $20 | -14.2% | $17.16 | $2,000,000 | 3 |
| 7 | $300,000,000 Extreme Cash | $30 | -14.3% | $25.72 | $5,000,000 | 6 |
| 8 | Set For Life | $20 | -14.4% | $17.11 | $3,417,460 | 2 |
| 9 | Royal Riches | $30 | -15.3% | $25.41 | $2,000,000 | 4 |
| 10 | $500,000 Bankroll | $10 | -15.7% | $8.43 | $500,000 | 2 |
Positive ROI highlight: 50th Anniversary at +5.9% ROI means every $50 ticket returns an average of $52.94 in expected value — a statistical profit of $2.94 per ticket. This is rare and temporary — as prizes are claimed, ROI will drop.
Games to Avoid: All Top Prizes Claimed
These 9 games have had all top prizes claimed. Their expected value has dropped significantly, making them the worst value options in Ohio right now.
| Game | Price | ROI | Original Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000,000 Extreme Cash | $20 | -30.7% | $2,000,000 |
| Win Big | $5 | -32.1% | $100,000 |
| Queen of Hearts | $5 | -32.4% | $75,000 |
| Monopoly Bonus Spectacular 100X | $20 | -32.5% | $1,000,000 |
| Joker’s Wild | $5 | -33.6% | $100,000 |
| Monopoly Bonus Spectacular 50X | $10 | -35.1% | $500,000 |
| Cashword Multiplier | $2 | -41.3% | $10,000 |
| Holiday Cash Vault | $10 | -41.5% | $500,000 |
| Special Edition Cashword | $5 | -51.8% | $300,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billion | $50 | $15,606,610 | 2 | -12.3% |
| 50th Anniversary | $50 | $15,000,000 | 2 | +5.9% |
| Extreme Millions | $30 | $10,000,000 | 1 | -18.0% |
| Ultimate $5,000,000 | $50 | $5,000,000 | 3 | -17.4% |
| Set For Life | $20 | $3,417,460 | 2 | -14.4% |
| Holiday Millions | $30 | $2,000,000 | 1 | -8.6% |
| $2,000,000 Cash Blast | $20 | $2,000,000 | 3 | -14.2% |
| $2,000,000 Cashword | $30 | $1,242,542 | 3 | -18.9% |
| Set For Life | $10 | $1,242,542 | 2 | -23.0% |
| $1,000,000 Holiday Wish | $20 | $1,000,000 | 1 | -22.0% |
| $1,000,000 Cash Payout | $20 | $1,000,000 | 2 | -22.5% |
| Ohio Millionaire’s Club | $20 | $1,000,000 | 1 | -23.9% |
14 games are down to the last top prize. The largest unclaimed top prize in Ohio is $15,606,610 on Billion ($50 ticket).
New Releases
Ohio launched 77 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50th Anniversary | $50 | +5.9% | $15,000,000 | 1 in 3.97 |
| Holiday Millions | $30 | -8.6% | $2,000,000 | 1 in 3.21 |
| VIP Millions | $50 | -9.9% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 4.02 |
| $1,000,000 Cash Is King | $20 | -11.3% | $654,596 | 1 in 3.21 |
| Billion | $50 | -12.3% | $15,606,610 | 1 in 4.1 |
| $2,000,000 Cash Blast | $20 | -14.2% | $2,000,000 | 1 in 3.67 |
| $300,000,000 Extreme Cash | $30 | -14.3% | $5,000,000 | 1 in 3.4 |
| Set For Life | $20 | -14.4% | $3,417,460 | 1 in 3.19 |
| Royal Riches | $30 | -15.3% | $2,000,000 | 1 in 3.95 |
| $500,000 Bankroll | $10 | -15.7% | $500,000 | 1 in 3.9 |
| Money Maker | $30 | -15.7% | $2,000,000 | 1 in 2.98 |
| Set For Life | $5 | -16.7% | $681,178 | 1 in 4.44 |
| Ultimate $5,000,000 | $50 | -17.4% | $5,000,000 | 1 in 3.61 |
| $1,000,000 Stacked | $20 | -17.5% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.48 |
| Extreme Millions | $30 | -18.0% | $10,000,000 | 1 in 2.87 |
| $2,000,000 Cashword | $30 | -18.9% | $1,242,542 | 1 in 3.37 |
| Bingo 50X | $10 | -21.6% | $500,000 | 1 in 3.21 |
| $1,000,000 Holiday Wish | $20 | -22.0% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.46 |
| $1,000,000 Cash Payout | $20 | -22.5% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.05 |
| Set For Life | $10 | -23.0% | $1,242,542 | 1 in 3.63 |
| Best of 7s (Gigantix) | $10 | -23.1% | $500,000 | 1 in 3.73 |
| Ohio Millionaire’s Club | $20 | -23.9% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.36 |
| Golden Casino | $10 | -23.9% | $654,596 | 1 in 3.88 |
| $300 Million Diamond Dazzler | $20 | -24.0% | $1,242,542 | 1 in 3.33 |
| $1,000 Tax Free | $20 | -24.5% | $1,389 | 1 in 3.51 |
| Lucky No. 7 | $10 | -25.1% | $500,000 | 1 in 3.54 |
| Cash Plus | $10 | -25.4% | $300,000 | 1 in 4.02 |
| White Diamonds | $10 | -25.8% | $300,000 | 1 in 4.01 |
| $25, $50 or $250 | $5 | -27.0% | $250 | 1 in 8.29 |
| Money, Money, Money | $10 | -27.4% | $500,000 | 1 in 3.88 |
| Plinko | $5 | -29.2% | $100,000 | 1 in 4.43 |
| Set For Life | $2 | -29.5% | $550,000 | 1 in 4.68 |
| $25, $50 or $250 | $5 | -29.5% | $250 | 1 in 8.29 |
| $25, $50 or $250 | $5 | -29.7% | $250 | 1 in 8.29 |
| Holiday Cash | $1 | -29.8% | $500 | 1 in 3.99 |
| Linked Wins | $5 | -29.8% | $100,000 | 1 in 3.81 |
| Monopoly 200X | $30 | -30.0% | $50,000 | 1 in 3.35 |
| $2,000,000 Extreme Cash | $20 | -30.7% | $2,000,000 | 1 in 3.18 |
| Aces And 8s | $5 | -31.0% | $150,000 | 1 in 3.98 |
| 3 Stooges Pie Payout | $5 | -31.3% | $100,000 | 1 in 3.97 |
| Bingo Times 25 | $5 | -31.3% | $100,000 | 1 in 3.52 |
| Jackpot Party | $5 | -31.4% | $250,000 | 1 in 4.18 |
| Set For Life | $1 | -31.5% | $280,000 | 1 in 4.74 |
| Mystery Multiplier | $10 | -31.5% | $300,000 | 1 in 3.06 |
| Special Edition Cashword | $5 | -31.7% | $300,000 | 1 in 4.11 |
| Win Big | $5 | -32.1% | $100,000 | 1 in 4.2 |
| Queen of Hearts | $5 | -32.4% | $75,000 | 1 in 4.2 |
| Cross Match Bingo | $10 | -32.4% | $500,000 | 1 in 3.42 |
| Monopoly Bonus Spectacular 100X | $20 | -32.5% | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3.48 |
| Holiday Gifts | $2 | -32.9% | $5,000 | 1 in 3.78 |
| Invaders from the Planet Moolah | $5 | -33.1% | $150,000 | 1 in 3.98 |
| Joker’s Wild | $5 | -33.6% | $100,000 | 1 in 4.58 |
| Casino Nights | $10 | -34.2% | $1,000 | 1 in 3.84 |
| $5, $20 or $100 | $2 | -34.8% | $100 | 1 in 5.24 |
| Cash Explosion Cashword | $2 | -34.9% | $20,000 | 1 in 4.22 |
| Gnomebody is Luckier | $2 | -35.0% | $10,000 | 1 in 4.11 |
| Lucky Gems Multiplier | $2 | -35.0% | $5,000 | 1 in 4.4 |
| Cash Explosion 25X | $5 | -35.1% | $150,000 | 1 in 3.77 |
| Monopoly Bonus Spectacular 50X | $10 | -35.1% | $500,000 | 1 in 3.66 |
| Electric 8s | $1 | -35.1% | $500 | 1 in 4.76 |
| Holiday Lucky Times 10 | $5 | -35.3% | $100,000 | 1 in 3.58 |
| Feeling Lucky | $10 | -35.7% | $2,500 | 1 in 3.83 |
| Win It All | $2 | -36.9% | $10,000 | 1 in 4.68 |
| Pink Diamond | $2 | -37.5% | $10,000 | 1 in 4.31 |
| Celebrating 50 Years | $2 | -38.2% | $250 | 1 in 4.11 |
| Bingo Multiplier | $2 | -38.2% | $10,000 | 1 in 4.29 |
| Triple Golden Cherries | $2 | -38.9% | $10,000 | 1 in 4.24 |
| Triple Tripler | $1 | -40.1% | $1,800 | 1 in 4.81 |
| Cash Explosion 10X | $2 | -40.5% | $10,000 | 1 in 4.19 |
| Cashword Multiplier | $2 | -41.3% | $10,000 | 1 in 4.52 |
| Holiday Cash Vault | $10 | -41.5% | $500,000 | 1 in 3.5 |
| Luck of the Irish Tripler | $1 | -41.6% | $1,000 | 1 in 4.8 |
| Winner Winner Chicken Dinner | $1 | -42.9% | $500 | 1 in 4.74 |
| Monopoly Bonus Spectacular 10X | $2 | -45.3% | $10,000 | 1 in 4.15 |
| Hot 7s | $1 | -47.0% | $500 | 1 in 4.64 |
| Monopoly Bonus Spectacular 5X | $1 | -50.1% | $1,000 | 1 in 4.7 |
| Special Edition Cashword | $5 | -51.8% | $300,000 | 1 in 4.11 |
50th Anniversary is the standout new release at +5.9% ROI — better than average for a $50 ticket.
Smart Strategy: Best Combos
Our alternative strategy analysis found that some Ohio 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 Set For Life ($2) + 1x Holiday Cash ($1) instead — that’s +46.2% more expected value for the same spend.
| Price Tier | Games Beaten | Best Combo | EV Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2 | 0/15 | 2x Holiday Cash ($1) | +13% |
| $5 | 0/20 | 2x Set For Life ($2) + 1x Holiday Cash ($1) | +7% |
| $10 | 0/18 | 2x Set For Life ($5) | +18.2% |
| $20 | 0/13 | 2x $500,000 Bankroll ($10) | +12.3% |
| $30 | 0/8 | 1x $1,000,000 Cash Is King ($20) + 1x $500,000 Bankroll ($10) | +7.8% |
| $50 | 0/4 | 1x Holiday Millions ($30) + 1x $1,000,000 Cash Is King ($20) | +4.2% |
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 Ohio price points?
| Price | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game | Best ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 8 | -39.8% | Holiday Cash | -29.8% |
| $2 | 14 | -37.1% | Set For Life | -29.5% |
| $5 | 18 | -31.8% | Set For Life | -16.7% |
| $10 | 15 | -28.1% | $500,000 Bankroll | -15.7% |
| $20 | 11 | -21.6% | $1,000,000 Cash Is King | -11.3% |
| $30 | 7 | -17.3% | Holiday Millions | -8.6% |
| $50 | 4 | -8.4% | 50th Anniversary | +5.9% |
The $50 tier offers the best average value at -8.4% ROI, while the $1 tier is the weakest at -39.8%. The gap between best and worst tiers is 31 percentage points.
How to Use This Data
- Check live rankings: This report is a snapshot. For real-time data, visit the Ohio 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 Ohio stacks up against other states in our National Scratchers Report.
Ohio Lottery Quick Facts
- Official website: ohiolottery.com
- State tax on winnings: 3.5% state tax (plus 24% federal withholding on prizes over $5,000)
- Active scratch-off games: 77 (as of May 2026)
Related Resources
- Ohio 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.