As is the case with pretty much everything else on the internet, there is no shortage of online scratch cards to choose from.
The variety comes from a large number of established game sellers and the different approaches to each.
Scratch card games, or “Scratchies,” as they are more informally called, are why you’re here, and these tips, tricks, and other valuable information should get you started!
Instant Kiwi Scratchies
Visiting the Mylotto in New Zealand makes it a great place to play local scratchies online. But for some reason, they are not open 24/7.
On the other hand, offshore online casinos have the option to play scratch cards 24/7.
Online Scratch Card Games: What Are They?
Chances are you’ve come across scratch cards at a stall or local store. These are cards that, as the name suggests, are scratched to reveal a prize or nothing at all.
There may be multiple sections that need to be scratched out to reveal a prize, and some of them require you to try and guess the winning section to scratch off.
The concept is the same for online scratch cards (also known as scratch cards, scratchers, scratchums, scratchies, scritches, scratch-its, or scratch-and-win). A distinguishing factor is that online scratchies are virtual.
Online scratch cards became available around the year 2010 thanks to the power of Java and Flash technologies.
Online scratch cards fall into two categories:
Download-based
web-based
What a fantastic scratch card!
Download-based scratch card games
This is a type of online scratch card that has been around for a while and needs to be downloaded in order to play.
Once downloaded and installed, the software connects to an online map provider. Some game developers still offer these types of online scratchies.
Web-based scratch card games
These are the most common today because they are more convenient. No downloads or installations are required as everything runs on any supported browser. Web-based scratch card games offer convenience as you can start playing right away and they can be played on any smart device.
Online vs. Offline Scratch Card Games
It’s the classic “modern versus traditional” battle when comparing online and offline scratchies.
Random number generators feed the virtual cards, and they offer instant rewards if you have a winning ticket; your winnings will simply be credited to your account.
There is absolutely no need to go to the supermarket to claim your winnings.
There’s no denying that there’s an irreplaceable feeling that you can only get by scratching off a physical card and slowly but surely revealing a prize. The tactility is appealing, and the scratching part is quite enjoyable for some.
However, nostalgia aside, online scratchies give developers more leeway and allow them to add bonuses that are simply not possible with traditional scratchies.
RTP and house edge of online scratch cards
By definition, RTP (Return to Player Rate) is the average percentage of how much the scratch card game is expected to pay its players over a period of time.
The house edge, or the house edge, is the same, the only difference being how the two numbers are calculated.
They are opposites of each other, meaning if the house edge is 2%, the RTP is 98%.
Most online scratch cards have an RTP in the range of 95% to 96%, making them comparable to most slot games.
Types of scratch cards
Different suppliers mean there is a wide variety to choose from.
Scratchies are scratchies that have been officially licensed.These are popular, licensed, and affiliated with a specific entertainment show or franchise. Shows with massive followings like Wheel of Fortune offer the opportunity to tap into that audience by adding some favourite aspects of the show to the online scratch card game. They have great economic viability for developers and casino owners and are therefore very popular.
Pokie ScratchiesGame developers normally capitalise on existing success stories in their stables. To take advantage of a popular slot game, developers created scratch cards based on the same theme. They are visually similar, but differ in the game mechanics.
Bingo Scratchies The concept used in bingo is used here. To win, random numbers drawn must be matched with the numbers in the scratchie.
Standard Scratches These are the brainchild of their respective developers as they are built from scratch. They have no affiliation with existing shows, games, or bingo, but they play just as well. They may not be as popular as the other types on this list.
Most scratchies are quite simple and can therefore be further broken down by the number of rows and columns they have. So 33 scratchies only need 3 matching symbols to win, but 35 scratchies need a minimum of 4 matching symbols, while 55 scratchies need all 5 symbols more often than not.
Whatever the type, you are sure to find a scratch card game that you will have a lot of fun playing at any of the great casinos listed here.
The Top 5 Scratch Card Developers
NextGen Gaming has been in the game development space for 20 years, continuously producing great titles. It is one of the world’s largest independent game design studios for the online casino market. NextGen is an established developer and brings scratchies based on some of their popular slots, such as Foxin’ Wins, Robin Hood Prince of Tweets, and Merlin’s Millions.
Microgaming is a pioneer of online gaming and has been around since the mid 90’s. Their game catalogue is quite extensive and extends well into the industry. Microgaming is responsible for many fan-favourite titles, with great scratchies such as Ruby of the Nile, Foamy Fortune, and Whack a Jackpot.
Playtech: While not as well known as Microgaming, Playtech has a large presence in the industry, with thousands of employees around the world. It has grown tremendously since its humble beginnings in 1999, now offering over 600 games, including a variety of scratchies, many of which are inspired by popular slots. Watch out for titles like The Hulk and Kong: The Eighth Wonder of the World.
Pariplay Ltd. was founded in 2010, but despite being a “newcomer” to the iGaming industry, it has proven to be worth its salt. Pariplay has consistently produced games that meet the highest standards. Popular online scratchies from this stable include Fruit Basket, Fish & Chips, and Zodiac Fortune. Don’t miss a game developed by Pariplay at the casino of your choice.
NetEnt: With its roots in Sweden, NetEnt is a very important player in the online casino gaming industry. While they remain adept at slot offerings, they have more than held their own with the scratches they have brought to the market. Honorable mentions from NetEnt are Ace and Lucky 7.
How to play scratch cards online.
Once you have chosen a casino, make a deposit into your account and select the scratch card game you want to play.
You will probably find these under “instant wins” or “other games.” Scratchies have simple interfaces that are easy to understand, even for a beginner.
Potential profits from scratches
Just like any other casino game, it is possible to win huge amounts of money, but perhaps on rare occasions. However, payouts are still relatively large, often in the hundreds of dollars.
Frequently asked questions
What payment methods can be used to play Scratchies?
You can use different methods, such as Paypal, Visa, Bitcoin, and Skrill.
Are there free spins and bonuses when playing Scratchies?
No, they don’t apply to Scratchies.
Is there a welcome bonus for playing Scratchies?
It depends on the casino you choose, whether scratchies are included in the games where you can use your welcome bonus.