A Brief History of Scratch Cards
Lotteries have entertained people around the world since ancient times, but scratch cards in their modern form only appeared in the 1970s. In the mid-1970s, the Massachusetts State Lottery introduced one of the earliest scratch-off tickets, The Instant Game. Then, in 1987, AstroMed Inc. patented a scratch card, helping these instant-result games gain wider popularity.
While scratch cards had been around for decades, they didn’t move online until after the 21st century began. In late 2009 and 2010, they began appearing at online casinos. Early versions used Macromedia Flash and Java to recreate paper-style play on a computer. Players could use a mouse to “scratch” the surface and reveal a possible prize.
Types of Online Scratch Cards
Digital scratch cards come in two main formats: browser-based games and downloadable games.
- Web-Based Scratch Cards: This is the most common online scratch card format. The games run in a web browser, so players don’t need to install software on their computer. They typically rely on the Flash plugin.
- Downloadable Scratch Cards: This format requires players to download dedicated software to their computer. Once installed, the software connects automatically to an online service provider, which supplies the games without depending on browser support.
Playing Scratch Cards Online
Few online casino games are simpler than scratch cards. You get a card, clear its covering to reveal the symbols beneath, then check whether they make a winning combination.
Play begins when you place a wager. Move your mouse over the card to uncover the symbols underneath. This reveals one symbol at a time, building anticipation. For a quicker result, select the Show Card button to uncover the whole card at once.
Symbols differ from game to game. Some cards feature pictures such as fruit, which must appear in a row or on a diagonal to win. A winning combination will be highlighted on screen.
Some games show multiplier symbols such as 1X, 10X, or 50X to indicate a possible return: three 1X symbols pay your full bet, while three 2X symbols pay twice your bet, and so on. Depending on the casino, the top prize may be 50X your bet or more.
Winning on Online Scratch Cards
A large prize is possible, but the odds of a big scratch card win are low. As with slots, you can judge whether a scratch card may offer reasonable value by checking its return-to-player (RTP).
RTP is a percentage, not a promise of a win, but it can help you compare scratch cards that may pay more over time. A higher RTP may indicate better prospects across many plays, but doesn’t guarantee any result. Merlin’s Millions, Genie Jackpots, Wish Upon a Jackpot, Pig Wizard, and Gorilla Go Wild are among the scratch cards cited as having some of the highest RTPs.
For entertainment, choose a scratch card with many wins and play at the lowest wager possible to make your funds last longer. If your goal is to win money, the advice is to choose one with many wins and place larger bets; neither option guarantees a profit.
Keep a close eye on your budget, too. Online scratch cards can be fun, but your funds can run down quickly if you’re not careful. Set a win limit and a loss limit before you play, and stop when you reach either one.
Choosing an Online Scratch Card
Thousands of appealing online scratch card games are now available from major software providers, including NeoGames, PariPlay, and WinTingo. Like slots, scratch cards feature themes from sports and fantasy to comic books. They’re not a dependable way to get rich, but can be entertaining and may bring some winnings.
