The least-bad Iowa scratch-off at every price, ranked by real after-tax value. Updated October 1, 2026.
Almost every scratch-off loses money on average — these lose the least after the lump-sum cut and federal + Iowa taxes, and still have a top prize left to win. Hard-to-find tickets are flagged so you don't waste a trip.
Triple It! returns about $0.57 per $1 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 12 of 12 $900 top prizes left — the best of 6 $1 games in Iowa.
! Blackout Bingo returns about $1.22 per $2 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 15 of 15 $25K top prizes left — the best of 12 $2 games in Iowa.
Full of 300s returns about $1.86 per $3 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 72 of 72 $300 top prizes left — the best of 11 $3 games in Iowa.
Fab 5s returns about $3.14 per $5 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 6 of 6 $50K top prizes left — the best of 15 $5 games in Iowa.
MONEY returns about $7.90 per $10 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 7 of 7 $100K top prizes left — the best of 16 $10 games in Iowa.
Gem 7s returns about $14.46 per $20 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 16 of 16 $150K top prizes left — the best of 5 $20 games in Iowa.
$300,000 JACKPOT returns about $21.91 per $30 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 5 of 5 $300K top prizes left — the best of 3 $30 games in Iowa.
500X returns about $37.65 per $50 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 12 of 12 $500K top prizes left — the best of 4 $50 games in Iowa.
Best & worst Iowa scratch-offs, with full odds →
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