The least-bad New York 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 + New York taxes, and still have a top prize left to win. Hard-to-find tickets are flagged so you don't waste a trip.
LUCKY 7S returns about $0.63 per $1 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 15 of 20 $7K top prizes left — the best of 26 $1 games in New York.
WIN FOR LIFE returns about $1.58 per $2 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 5 of 10 $1.0M top prizes left — the best of 16 $2 games in New York.
DIAMOND CASHWORD returns about $1.87 per $3 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 5 of 5 $60K top prizes left — the best of 8 $3 games in New York.
👻 Hard to find — sales have slowed, but it's still out there
$1,000,000 GOLD returns about $4.37 per $5 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 2 of 4 $1M top prizes left — the best of 25 $5 games in New York.
SET FOR LIFE returns about $7.36 per $10 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 2 of 6 $5.2M top prizes left — the best of 14 $10 games in New York.
WIN EITHER $100 OR $200! returns about $14.41 per $20 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 13528 of 180436 $200 top prizes left — the best of 14 $20 games in New York.
X SERIES: 200X returns about $22.54 per $30 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 1 of 5 $10M top prize left — the best of 9 $30 games in New York.
Best & worst New York scratch-offs, with full odds →
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