What is the basic gameplay of online casino scratchcard games?

Online casino scratchcard games involve selecting a card, purchasing it, and then scratching off the surface to reveal hidden symbols. Players win by matching certain symbols according to the specific rules of the game.

What are the types of online scratchcard games and their rules?

There are various types of scratchcard games including 'Match Symbols' where you need to match a certain number of identical symbols to win, 'Bonus Scratch' games with bonus sections for instant prizes or multipliers, and 'Line Scratch' games where you form a line of identical symbols to win.

How is the cost of playing scratchcard games determined?

The cost of playing scratchcard games, also known as the bet limit, is determined by the game software provider, the structure of the game, and the potential prize payouts. They can range from low-cost (€0.10 to €1), mid-range (€1 to €5), high-cost (€5 and above), to those with jackpots, which are usually priced higher.

What factors influence the odds of winning in scratchcard games?

The odds of winning in scratchcard games are determined by the specific game rules and the Random Number Generator (RNG) technology used by the game software providers, which as a rule are evaluated by casino gaming fairness testing labs to ensure their integrity. Besides, the Return to Player (RTP) percentages, which indicate the total amount of bet money returned to players over time, can range from 85% to 95%.

What types of bonuses are available for online scratchcard games?

Online casinos in Europe offer various bonuses for scratchcard game players which include welcome bonuses, subsequent deposit bonuses, cashback, no deposit bonuses, and loyalty rewards. All bonuses come with their own terms which players must carefully review and understand before claiming, as they dictate how the bonus can be used and when winnings can be withdrawn.

Scratchcard Casino Games Online

These aren’t your ordinary scratch-offs—these games are quick to play, offer instant wins, and present a plethora of game themes, card prices, and potential prizes. In this guide, we explain the nitty-gritty of these online casino games—their rules, mechanics, potential winnings, and the odds stacked against or in your favor.

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About Scratchcard Games in Short

The concept of scratchcards is believed to have been introduced by the Scientific Games Corporation in 1974 and made its online debut in 2010. In European online casinos, scratchcards are typically featured under a separate tab, often categorized as ‘Other Games.’

These casino scratchcard games differ from national scratchcards available on lottery websites in most countries worldwide. They work as instant-win-type casino games, bearing similar mechanics and gameplay to online slot machines (see image below).

Scratchcard Game ‘Piggy Bank Scratch by Belatra’ with top jackpot of €100,000 — Scratchcard Game ‘Piggy Bank Scratch by Belatra’ with a top jackpot of €100,000.

Playing Online Casino Scratchcard Games

Playing online scratch cards is a walk in the park— it’s effortless and quick. Just like “lottery scratch-offs,” you could be a few simple steps away from a potential win. Let’s walk you through the process:

Selection. Begin by selecting a scratch card game from the array of themes, costs and bet size options in your preferred online casino. While the price tags and bet limits vary, rest assured—there’s a game for every budget, ranging from under a euro to larger sums.
Purchase. Once you’ve picked a game that catches your eye, click the “Buy” button, and just like with a spin on a slot machine game, the money will be deducted from your casino account balance.
Scratching. The moment of truth! Scratch off the surface of the card to reveal the hidden symbols. Most online scratch card games allow you to do this in two ways:
- Automatically by clicking a button such as “Reveal All” or “Scratch All.”
- Manually by moving your mouse cursor over the card to “scratch” off the surface.

Scratchcard Game Rules

The rules governing the play of online scratch card games primarily revolve around the game’s fundamental principle—scratch and match. Yet, as with all games at online casinos, there are variations that specify how to play and hence, how to win:

Match Symbols
The most popular type of scratchcards. If you “match 3” symbols, you win the prize associated with that symbol.
Bonus Scratch
These games contain bonus sections—additional areas where you can win instant prizes or multipliers that increase your prize winnings by “2x,” “3x,” or more.
Line Scratch
Much like a casino slot machine, the objective here is to form a line of identical symbols. The symbols need to align horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

Let’s put it in numbers: imagine having a card with nine hidden symbols. In a match symbols scratch card, you might need to reveal three “€10” symbols to win that amount. In a bonus scratch card, there might be an extra ‘golden coin’ symbol that multiplies your winnings by “2x”. With line scratch cards, if these symbols align in a row or column or diagonally, you are the winner!

But, be aware that different scratch card games will have different RTP percentages. This term indicates the total amount of all bet money that goes back to players over time. Generally, RTP for online scratch cards can range anywhere from 85% to 95%.

So, while the base rule is to ‘scratch and match,’ each game can present its own interpretation of this formula.

Variations in Online Scratchcards

See the table below for examples of different online scratchcard game features and mechanics.

Game Type	Rules
Matching Symbols	Reveal a certain number of matching symbols to win
Multiple Chances	Multiple games on a single card, each offering a chance to win
Bonus Features	Special symbols unlock bonus games or additional prizes
Multiplier Wins	Certain symbols multiply the amount won
Progressive Jackpots	Prize pool increases until someone wins the jackpot.

Betting Limits and Card Prices

The cost of playing these games, a bet limit per game, varies by the game software provider (Playtech, Hacksaw Gaming, etc), the game’s structure, and the potential prize payouts:

Low-Cost
For those who seek the thrill of the game without a hefty price tag, low-cost casino scratch cards are the perfect fit. Typically priced from a mere €0.10 to €1, these cards may offer smaller wins, but they provide an affordable gateway to play online scratch cards, similar to low rolling on slot games at €0.10 a spin.
Mid-Range
Priced between €1 and €5 a game, these cards strike a balance between cost and reward. They offer higher prizes compared to their low-cost counterparts and often come with added bonus games.
High-Cost
For the high rollers among us, these are the tickets to seek. High-cost per-game scratchcards, generally costing €5 or more, and sometimes soaring up to €20 or even higher, offer the highest potential prizes, including the tantalizing allure of large jackpots.
With Jackpots
These cards, as a rule, are priced higher due to the significant, ever-increasing jackpot up for grabs. The price can vary widely, often aligning with the mid-to-high cost range.

Note: The betting cost per game doesn’t necessarily dictate your chances of winning. While it’s true that higher-cost games generally offer larger potential wins, the overall odds of winning can be comparable to cheaper cards. These odds are influenced by specific game rules and the Random Number Generator technology employed by game software providers.

Potential Winnings

Given the multitude of scratchcard games available online, we’ll use Piggy Bank Scratch by Belatra as an illustrative example to calculate the odds of winning.

According to their paytable, there are 30,000 tickets priced at €5 each. The odds of winning can be computed as follows:

Total number of prizes: 2 (€5000) + 3 (€2500) + 5 (€1000) + 10 (€500) + 30 (€250) + 160 (€100) + 500 (€50) + 300 (€25) + 400 (€20) + 500 (€15) + 1600 (€10) + 500 (€5) + 100 (€2.5), which sums up to 5100 prizes.

The odds of winning for each prize can then be computed by dividing the number of specific prizes by the total number of tickets (30,000).

#	Prizes Available	Prize	Odds of Winning
1	2	€5000	1 in 15,000
2	3	€2500	1 in 10,000
3	5	€1000	1 in 6,000
4	10	€500	1 in 3,000
6	30	€250	1 in 1,000
6	160	€100	1 in 188
6	500	€50	1 in 60
6	300	€25	1 in 100
6	400	€20	1 in 75
6	500	€15	1 in 60
6	1600	€10	1 in 19
6	500	€5	1 in 60
6	100	€2.5	1 in 300
The RTP of the Biggy Bank game ranges from 85% to 95%. While the RTP does not affect the odds of winning a specific prize in an individual play, it does provide an understanding of the expected return over an extended period of play.

Best Online Casinos to Play Scratchcard Games

See our handpicked selection of EU online casinos, each renowned for their high-quality service. They all provide an array of scratchcard games referenced throughout this guide. Not only will you be welcomed with bonuses, but these casinos also assure quick payouts for those fortunate enough to cash it big.

Bitstarz award winning EU casino