Iowa scratch-offs

Based on current data, the $300,000 Cashword ($30) is the top-rated scratch-off in Iowa with a ValueScore of 99 out of 100 (Excellent). Overall odds are 1 in 2.28. ValueScore combines expected value, prize quality, win frequency, and inventory health into a single rating. It updates automatically as prizes are claimed, so the top pick can change week to week. You can see the full Iowa rankings on the ScratchCheck state page.

The $300,000 Cashword ($30) currently has the best overall odds in Iowa at 1 in 2.28. The state average across all 77 active Iowa scratch-offs is 1 in 4, so this ticket gives you significantly better odds than a typical game. It carries a ValueScore of 99 out of 100. Keep in mind that overall odds cover all prize levels, including small wins. The odds of winning a large prize are much lower.

As of our latest update, 76 out of 77 active scratch-off games in Iowa still have at least one top prize unclaimed. The largest top prize still unclaimed in Iowa is $500,000. 12 games are running very low with fewer than 3 top prizes remaining and could be pulled from stores soon. Individual game pages show the exact remaining count for each prize tier.

The most recently released Iowa scratch-off games are Crossword Gold ($3, released October 6, 2026); Merry Money ($20, released October 6, 2026); and Holiday LUCK X20 ($5, released October 6, 2026). Release dates come directly from official Iowa Lottery publications when available. Newer games typically have the full prize pool intact, so top prize availability and win frequency are at their highest.

ScratchCheck calculates a ValueScore of 0 to 100 for every active Iowa scratch-off. The rating weighs four factors: Expected Value, Prize Quality, Win Frequency, and Inventory Health. A score of 80 or above is Excellent, 60 to 79 is Good, 40 to 59 is Fair, and below 40 is Poor. The top-rated game in Iowa right now is the $300,000 Cashword with a score of 99. Scores change automatically as prizes are claimed, so a highly-rated game today may drop next week if top prizes run out.

Among $5 tickets in Iowa, the Green 7s currently has the best overall odds at 1 in 3.70 with a ValueScore of 69 out of 100. Five-dollar tickets typically offer better prize structures than $1 or $2 tickets, with higher top prizes and more prize tiers. Check the $5 filter on the Iowa page to compare all active $5 games side by side.

The optimizer takes a budget and a goal (Breakeven, Jackpot Chase, or Best EV) and re-ranks all active Iowa games that cost at or below your budget. Breakeven ranks by the per-ticket probability of winning back at least the ticket price, using published prize odds. Jackpot Chase ranks by expected top-prize dollars per $1 spent, using remaining top prizes and remaining tickets. Best EV ranks by published expected value per dollar. Games with missing inputs sort last. Rankings update live as you move the budget slider.

ScratchCheck pulls odds and prize data directly from the official Iowa Lottery and refreshes it daily, so the remaining-prize counts and odds you see match the lottery's latest published figures.