Big Bucks
State: Illinois
Last Updated: 08/18/2025 at 11:08AM EDT
Image Credit: Illinois State Lottery
Ticket Price: $2
Expected Value (EV): -$0.67
Starting Odds: 1 in 4.49
Current Odds to Win $100 or More: 1 in 1,899.36
Current Odds to Win $1,000 or More: 1 in 142,241.2
Current Odds to Win $10,000 or More: 1 in 853,447.23
Estimated Tickets Remaining: 2,560,341.68 (43.38%)
Total $50,000 Prizes Remaining: 3 out of 4
Total $3,000 Prizes Remaining: 15 out of 30
Total $500 Prizes Remaining: 37 out of 94
About "Big Bucks" Scratch-Off Game in Illinois
The "Big Bucks" scratch-off game is one of the lottery options available in Illinois. The price of a ticket is $2.
The Expected Value (EV) of a ticket in Big Bucks is -$0.67, which represents the average return based on current prizes remaining.
When this game was first released, the starting odds of winning were 1 in 4.49.
The odds of winning at least $100 in Big Bucks are 1 in 1,899.36.
The chances of securing $1,000 or more are 1 in 142,241.2.
For those dreaming of hitting a jackpot, the odds of winning $10,000 or more are 1 in 853,447.23.
As of the last update on 08/18/2025 at 11:08AM EDT, approximately 43.38% of tickets are still in circulation. This means there are still unclaimed prizes waiting to be won in Illinois's Big Bucks scratch-off game.
Prize Chart
| Prize | Total Prizes | Prizes Remaining | Starting Odds | Current Odds | Change in Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2 | 531,842 | 237,755 | 1 in 11.1 | 1 in 10.77 | 2.96% |
| $4 | 403,675 | 173,876 | 1 in 14.62 | 1 in 14.73 | -0.72% |
| $5 | 98,468 | 42,406 | 1 in 59.94 | 1 in 60.38 | -0.74% |
| $6 | 78,776 | 32,765 | 1 in 74.92 | 1 in 78.14 | -4.3% |
| $10 | 108,300 | 45,657 | 1 in 54.5 | 1 in 56.08 | -2.9% |
| $20 | 39,397 | 16,036 | 1 in 149.8 | 1 in 159.66 | -6.58% |
| $25 | 32,242 | 13,021 | 1 in 183.05 | 1 in 196.63 | -7.42% |
| $50 | 18,375 | 7,368 | 1 in 321.19 | 1 in 347.49 | -8.19% |
| $100 | 3,231 | 1,293 | 1 in 1,826.62 | 1 in 1,980.16 | -8.41% |
| $500 | 94 | 37 | 1 in 62,785.2 | 1 in 69,198.42 | -10.21% |
| $3,000 | 30 | 15 | 1 in 196,726.96 | 1 in 170,689.45 | 13.24% |
| $50,000 | 4 | 3 | 1 in 1,475,452.17 | 1 in 853,447.23 | 42.16% |
How Are the Odds Calculated for Illinois Scratch-Off Games?
The odds and statistics for Illinois's scratch-off games are based on official lottery data processed through statistical models. This is to help players understand their chances of winning in Illinois's scratch-off games. Here's how each metric is determined:
- Starting Odds: These are the official odds provided by the Illinois lottery at the scratch-off game's launch. They indicate the probability of winning any prize when all tickets are still in circulation.
- Estimated % Tickets Remaining: If not provided by the state, this is estimated based on the number of claimed prizes relative to the game's original prize structure. For example, if a game started with 1 million scratch-off tickets and half of the top prizes have been claimed, it is estimated that about 50% of the scratch-off tickets have been sold.
- Current Odds to Win $100/$1,000/$10,000 or More: These odds indicate the likelihood of winning higher-tier prizes in Illinois scratch-off games. They are determined by summing the probabilities of all applicable prize amounts using the current odds.
- Current Odds to Win the Grand Prize: This metric shows the probability of winning the game's largest prize, adjusted for the estimated remaining tickets and current odds.
- Expected Value (EV): EV represents the average return of a single scratch-off ticket based on the current prizes remaining. It is calculated by multiplying each prize amount by its probability of winning (prizes remaining ÷ estimated tickets remaining), summing these values, and subtracting the ticket price. A positive EV indicates an expected profit per ticket, while a negative EV indicates an expected loss.
Games, prizes, and odds for Illinois scratch-off games are sourced directly fromThe Official Illinois Lottery website.