Scratchcard casino games: how they work, strategies and where to play online

There is a casino game out there for just about anyone. From themed slots to live game shows, it would be difficult to not find something that appeals. With that said, some of these games can be more complex than others. Sometimes you have to do some research to find the best strategy possible, in other words, and maximise your odds. Some casino games, on the other hand, don’t require any of that. You can just pick them up, play, and claim your earnings – no deep dives are required. If the latter sounds like your ideal experience, then scratchcard casino games might be the best pick for you.

Online scratchcards, such as those featured on the National Lottery, are instant win games that are simple to understand and even easier to play. Just pick your game, scratch, and cross your fingers for a win! Thanks to their simplicity, scratch card games UK are some of the most popular casino games on the market. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about them before you sit down to play.

What are scratchcard casino games?

Often compared to slots due to their simple gameplay, instant win scratch cards don’t require much in the way of explanation. If you’re familiar with how the former works, then you’ll have no problem playing the latter. More specifically, scratchcard casino games consist of a scratchcard (digital if playing online) that you must ‘scratch’ in order to reveal your prize.

You might be familiar with scratchcards outside of online casinos. If that’s the case, congratulations – you’ve already got a good handle on how to play. Physical scratchcards have been around since the 1970s and originated in the US, first appearing in Europe in the 1980s. The first instant win scratchcard was introduced by the National Lottery in the UK in 1995. In contrast, online scratch cards have only been around since the early 2000s.

Online scratchcards differ from physical scratchcards in a few different ways, so the player experience is not entirely the same. More specifically, physical scratchcards do not feature variable odds. Their prizes are set, with the potential winnings covered in a ‘scratchable’ layer before arriving in stores. Online scratchcards, on the other hand, often don’t have set prizes. Instead, they offer varying odds and features that change not just how you win, but also what you win. We’ll explore this in more detail below.

How do online scratchcards work?

Online scratchcard casino games are usually pretty simple for players, but perhaps deceptively so. There are a lot of moving parts that must come together to present a fluid and fair experience to online users. First, let’s discuss game mechanics.

Scratchcards are as easy to understand online as they are in person. Generate a scratchcard, scratch, and win. That’s it! Well, not quite, as it turns out. Online scratchcards feature RNG rather than fixed odds, as briefly mentioned above. This means that operators can often tweak the odds and prizes to match game events. You might not face the same odds every time you play, in other words, whereas physical scratchcards have set odds. Online scratchcards also often have themed bonuses and variations. A Christmas-themed scratchcard might offer different prizes from an Easter-themed scratchcard. The prizes can vary fairly widely from one card to another, while physical cards don’t vary too much in terms of prize structure.

The best scratchcard casinos are committed to offering players safe and fair scratchcards to enjoy. RNG technology is frequently used to ensure that every single online scratchcard is slightly different, and your chances of winning are unaffected by prior wins or losses. Note here that in addition to variable odds, scratchcard RTP can vary from one game to another.

Game-specific rules can be found on your operator’s website, but in general, they’re pretty straightforward. Don’t use any kind of technology that manipulates game results and you’ll be in good shape.

Strategies to improve winning chances

Online scratchcards are heavily luck-based, so there are no scratchcard game strategies to help you win. What you will find instead are strategies revolving around budget management, understanding game odds, and game choice.

Let’s discuss budget management first. Budgets are incredibly important for responsible players, and they dictate when and how often you can play. Because you’re working with a set amount of money, you want to make those funds last for as long as possible. Bankroll management strategies revolve around setting budgets before you play and sticking to them. Decide how much money you’re willing to lose per game session and use that amount to guide when and how much you wager.

We’ve touched on this above, but just to reinforce the concept, remember that game odds are different from one casino scratchcard game to another. Sometimes they vary from one day to the next, depending on the operator in question and their active events. Don’t bank on specific odds, in other words. Instead, take some time to learn about how low vs. high odds impact your betting. This gives you a general base of knowledge to pull from even when the exact odds are unknown.

Finally, choose the right game for your playstyle! Don’t opt for a scratchcard with features and prizes you know you aren’t crazy about. Take some time to research available games and the way that they work before you start scratching.

Mobile compatibility

Millions of players around the world rely on their smartphones and tablets to play and gamble. Online scratchcards are no exception, and there is a wide variety of apps designed to make the process as straightforward and enjoyable as possible. LeoVegas offers a mobile app that gives users access to our entire online scratchcard games, for example, so that you can play from anywhere.