A quick guide to online Scratch Cards - the instant win games

The online casino industry has changed quite rapidly in the past few years, with the gaming possibilities becoming almost endless. While Slot games continue to steal the spotlight, there are some games that stand their ground and never seem to go out of style.

One of these is Scratch Cards which have not just made their presence permanent online but have also become popular with so many possibilities to explore.

Scratch Cards are known as instant win games, which essentially just means that these games are generally fast-paced and, as the name suggests, provide instant wins. Other commonly known instant win games include Bingo, Keno, and Video Poker. We take a look at how to play these games and what makes them so different.

The history of Scratch Cards

It’s quite interesting to find out how Scratch Cards have grown from silly ‘party favours’ to a permanent and loved game both online and offline.

Scratch Cards found their way into the industry in the early 1970s. At this time, businesses were offering free Scratch Cards to customers in an attempt to get them to spend more. Customers had to purchase a minimum number of items for a free Scratch Card and other merchandise.

Many businesses used Scratch Cards in different ways for their own marketing purposes. Then, the world changed when online Scratch Cards became available, allowing users access to these instant win games any day of the week.

How to play Scratch Cards

One of the things you might be wondering about is how to play Scratch Cards online. The good news is that this is quite straightforward, as these games are suitable for both veteran players and beginners.

The games use the same fundamental layout and representation as in-store Scratch Cards. You can find three lines of three squares that hide symbols. You will then need to click on ‘scratch’. The coating hiding the symbols will be scratched away, and if you have three matching symbols or numbers, you get a prize.

One thing that is exciting about Scratch Cards online is that they come with different themes, and some even have modern features similar to Slot games. You don’t just get the regular scratch-and-win experience, there is also the opportunity to unlock bonus rounds for big potential wins.

Benefits of playing online Scratch Cards

There are plenty of benefits when playing Scratch Cards online, which include variety and instant accessibility.

Another benefit is that you don’t have to have any skills to play this game. Unlike card and table games, instant win games, or more specifically Scratch Card games, are “what you see is what you get”. Whether you are completely new to online gaming or simply Scratch Cards, you can play these games without any issues from the start.

Let’s not forget the instant results that come with playing Scratch Cards online. You won’t need to wait days or hours for results. With online Scratch Cards, the results are instant, and so are the payouts.

The difference between in-store and online Scratch Cards

You might have seen Scratch Cards in a store and find yourself wondering what the big difference is when playing at online casinos.

Then there are online Scratch Cards that have the same approach, but it’s simulated, so no physical scratching is required. You get to pick your card and click to “scratch”. The online industry is filled with marvellous Scratch Card options that include different payout potentials and themes to ensure things are interesting.

The main difference between online and in-store Scratch Cards is the physical aspect. Other than that, there is the instant accessibility of online cards, the diverse range of cards to choose from, and of course, the potential to trigger even bigger wins.

Highest jackpots Scratch Card games

One of the greatest things to come from online Scratch Cards is the opportunity to increase the payouts. Not only do you get to choose the theme and style of the Scratch Card, but you also get to pick based on the payout potential. There are Scratch Cards with fixed payouts, and then there are Scratch Cards with progressive payouts.

Here is a round-up of the highest jackpot Scratch Card games:

Merlin’s Millions

Merlin’s Millions is a fun wizard-themed Scratch Card that comes with a return-to-player rate of 95.17%. The game is quite popular for its theme, high RTP, and jackpot of about €250,000. You can play the game from as little as €0.20 to up to €200 per game.

Miss Midas Scratch

This game by NextGen Gaming is true excitement! Miss Midas offers 95.771% RTP and 5 free cards that payout triple the prizes! With many chances to win, this online scratch game is a great way to enjoy your online iGaming experience with a high chance of winning. 

Lucky Numbers

If you prefer a more oriental theme, then Lucky Numbers is a must-play Microgaming game. This game has a relatively standard design, but it does come with some exciting extras, which include multipliers of 1x to 5x. With this game, you can trigger wins up to £200,000.

Triple Wins Jackpot

This Scratch Card was created by NetEnt and comes with both a fixed jackpot and a progressive jackpot version. With its progressive jackpot possibilities, this game has remained a favourite despite being a classic. You can choose up to 10 tickets and scratch all of them instantly.

Wild Run Scratch

This SG Digital game is an excellent way to enjoy the excitement of a scratch card, while in the comfort of simply being online. Wild Run is a 5 free game, with prizes up to 4000x your stake & 95.494% RTP! You can't miss out on this chance! 

Scratch Card RTP

The Scratch Card return to player percentage also referred to as RTP, is quite stable. You will find that the majority of online Scratch Cards have a theoretical RTP of between 85% and 96%.

Tips to play

1. First, make sure you set a limit for the amount you want to bet.
2. Make sure you stop when things are no longer fun.
3. If you’re on a losing streak, take a break instead of chasing your losses.
4. Remember that it’s all about the fun. If it goes beyond entertainment, it’s time to stop.
5. Look for bonuses and promotions to boost your gameplay – and make sure to check the terms and conditions for Scratch Card eligibility.

Reasons to play Scratch Cards online

There are plenty of different game options available today, so why should you opt for Scratch Cards? It’s simple, really. These games are a mix of all the best game elements. There is a fun range of themes, the convenience of playing from anywhere, and instant payouts.

With this in mind, there are the benefits of modern technology that give you access to high-tech games with additional features. Casinos also provide the opportunity to play casino games with the boost of regular bonuses and promotions. It’s quick to play, very lucrative, and above all, highly entertaining.

Where to play?

The majority of online casinos will have Scratch Cards to choose from. These types of instant win games can generally be found in the ‘Other Games’ category or under the ‘Instant Win Games’ tab. It depends on the labelling provided by the casino. However, you’ll also get quick access to games when using the search bar to find all the latest Scratch Cards.

Always opt for safe and secure online casinos with licensing in place and plenty of game options.

Browse our list of the top recommended Scratch Card online casinos to gain instant access to a list of safe sites with the best range of games available.