The Basics of a Lottery Scratch Cards
If you’ve ever bought a scratch card from a local shop or petrol station you’ll know there aren’t any specific rules. It’s all about scratching the card and getting a winning combination, or not.
The typical physical scratch card requires that you scrub off the silver foil with a coin to reveal if you’ve won. All winning combinations are detailed either on the front of the card or given in more detail on the back. Typically, all you’ll need is three of the same symbol or amount to get a win.
The same principles apply to scratch cards online. The only real difference is that you scratch virtually using a mouse or touchscreen. There will be plenty of cool animations, and there’s a high chance a few mini-games will be included, too.
Often, you can also just click one button to instantly scratch the whole card.
How to Win on Scratch Cards
The goal of the typical lottery scratch cards in the UK is to get three matching symbols out of a possible nine.
The symbols are arranged in a three-by-three grid and can be scratched off in any order you like. Depending on the theme of the scratch card, you’re likely to find fruit machine symbols, such as bells, fruits, and 7s, or simply cash amounts.
If you match any three of the symbols on an instant win scratch card online, regardless of their position, you will win the amount stipulated in the prize table.
For example, matching three bells may yield you £500, whereas three money bags could net you something like £1,000. It all depends on the prize table. So, be sure to read through these to ensure you know what you’re playing for. That's really the only way to find out how much can you win on scratch cards.
Of course, not all game providers stick to the standard three-by-three grid with three matching symbols equaling a win. Others have more symbols, which could be arranged differently, and prizes may be given for three in a row, etc, etc.
Let’s explore some different mechanics now…
Different Types of UK Scratch Cards
As discussed above, the main difference you’ll find between different lotto instant scratch cards is the theme.
Many of them keep things simple by basing all the symbols on the fruit machines and one-arm-bandits of yesteryear. Others will have more elaborate themes and prizes (including electrical goods rather than cash).
For example, there are many lotto scratch cards online based on Hollywood movies, TV shows, or popular characters. Rocky, Gladiator, King Kong, Pink Panther, The Mummy, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire scratch cards are just a few examples.
Others will be based on some of the most popular UK slot machines, such as the Irish Eyes 2, Foxin’ Wins, and Star Raiders.
There are various ways to win at scratch cards, as well, depending on the game mechanics employed. The most common one is the instant scratch card, which involves rubbing off a panel and seeing if you’ve won by matching a certain number of symbols.
Other online casino scratch cards will involve multiple chances to win. For example, if a symbol is randomly chosen, then the player has a certain amount of tries to match that symbol.
Another variant employs the mechanics of slot machines. In these versions, players must match symbols in a line or a row according to the paytable.
All of these are produced by the likes of NetEnt, Playtech, and Games Global, as well as a few small companies. As such, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding the best online scratch cards for you.
But, you may be wondering why you would play online versus going to a local shop…
Buy Scratch Cards Online or Physical Ones?
There are many advantages to buying online scratch cards rather than in the real world. Chief amongst these is the sheer convenience of it all.
You can play from any device so long as you have an internet connection. So, whether that’s on the bus to work, while you wait for your friend to arrive at the bar, or just from the comfort of your living room – you’ll never be stuck for a few rounds of entertainment.
In addition to this, you don’t have to take time out of your day to go to a shop that sells UK lottery scratch cards.
On top of this, you don’t have to return to the shop to pick up your lotto scratch cards prizes, either. And when you win a jackpot prize, there’s no waiting around for the organizers to send you a cheque in the mail, because your online casino account is credited instantly.
The top scratch cards at online casinos also save a lot of hassle. You can quickly reveal the result with a click of your mouse or via a light rubbing action on your touchscreen. There’s no need to hunt down a spare coin from the back of the sofa to find out if you’ve won!
The graphics, animations, and sound effects that accompany modern lottery scratchcards are far more exciting than the so-called real thing. Plus, the software allows developers to get creative with bonus mini-games, additional features, and creating multiple chances to win in some instances.
Finally, the main reason to pick online scratch cards games is that the prizes remain in place. Physical scratch cards may have lost all of their top prizes by the time you get around to playing them. This cannot happen online, as everything is updated instantly.
Odds on Scratch Cards: Are the Online Versions Rigged?
Online scratch cards are not rigged. The fairness and integrity of these games are maintained through strict regulations and oversight.
Each round is completely random. All of this is mathematically assured by the fact that all game suppliers use random number generators (RNGs). This ensures that the games produce a random result every time you scratch. Furthermore, the RNG software used by such companies is regularly tested by regulatory bodies that run millions of calculations to calculate thechances of winning on scratch cards.
A way that you can check the probability of winning a prize in the long run is to look at the return to player (RTP) given for all releases. Usually, there is an ‘i’ or ‘?’ icon, or else you can look up the rules and paytable information somewhere in the interface. This should tell you the RTP for that particular game.
You may see, for example, that a scratch card has an RTP of 98%. This means for every £100 spent, £98 is paid out in winnings. Of course, whether you’re one of the few who takes home a top prize rather than picking up small wins is just a matter of luck.
Play Scratch Cards at Online Casinos
Scratch cards have become a part of the game selection at most UK online casinos. Some casinos only offer a couple of lottery cards, while others have hundreds.
The casinos that have the best selection of scratch cards will often have a separate game category only for these games. At other online casinos in the UK, you might find some scratch cards in a game category called ‘instant win’ or simply ‘other games’.
Also note that scratch cards at UK casinos can be enjoyed from any desktop computer, smartphone, or tablet.
And all you need to get started is to sign up at an online casino – reviews of all of the best casino brands can be found right here on GoodLuckMate! Once you’re signed up at a casino, you even get to play free scratch card games online, so that you can try the game out before you bet any real money.
Scratch Card Bonus Offers
Instant games like scratch cards can usually be played with a casino bonus as well, as very few UK casinos restrict these games for players with bonus money on their accounts.
However, you might want to check the bonus terms to see how much scratch cards contribute towards your wagering requirement. Sometimes it will be 100%, but other times you might find that scratchies contribute only 50% or even less.
At some of the casinos focusing on this game type, you might even find a dedicated scratch card bonus – a bonus made exclusively for scratchies.
These casinos can also, sometimes, give free scratch cards as a bonus, kinda instead of free spins on a slot game. Whenever a scratch cards no deposit bonus like this is available, you should claim it. After all, you got nothing to lose!
