The History of Scratch Cards

By Jane Shaw Senior Editor Updated: 09/27/2023

Jane Shaw Senior Editor See Full Bio

We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.

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History of Scratch Cards

• Scratch Cards: A Brief History
• Evolution of Scratch Ticket Games
• The Technology Behind Them
• Why They Became Popular
• Common Myths and Facts
• Winning Strategies
• Frequently Asked Questions

Scratch cards, also known as instant win tickets or scratchies, offer players the chance to win prizes immediately by scratching off a layer to reveal hidden symbols or numbers. Their convenience and simplicity have made them one of the most popular forms of gambling for decades. Just how did these deceptively simple paper tickets become a gambling sensation? Read on for a comprehensive look into the history of scratch cards.

Scratch Cards: A Brief History

Scratch cards as we know them today have a history dating back to the 1970s. These lottery tickets come with a concealed area, which can be scratched off to reveal prizes or other information. The concept was first introduced by American computer scientists, using manual randomization techniques. Later on, the Massachusetts Lottery Commission started using them, and the popularity of scratch cards soared.

Today, they are an integral part of lottery games across the globe, with both physical and digital versions available. Their simplicity and the thrill of instant wins continue to attract players of all ages. However, they’ve actually been around in some form or another for a lot longer than that – as you’ll see today.

What’s more, you’ll now find many online scratch card games, too. These are digitized versions of the games which can be played at many reputable online casinos and online gambling websites.

Evolution of Scratch Ticket Games

The origins of scratch cards can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries with two related developments – pull tabs and carnival games.

Pull tabs first emerged in the 1890s attached to packets of chewing gum. Consumers pulled off the tabs to reveal prize symbols underneath. Their popularity led to similar pull tabs on beer cans, packets of cigarettes and other products as sales promotions. This primed people for the concept of scratching off a layer to reveal instant prizes.

Around the same time, carnival games like chuck-a-luck, which used dice in cages, gained popularity at fairs and amusement parks. Some versions featured printed tickets hidden under cardboard flaps which players scratched off to reveal images and symbols corresponding to dice rolls. These games marked some of the earliest incarnations of scratch style tickets.

A more direct precursor arose in the 1920s when scratchcard style lottery games surfaced at fairs and carnivals in the U.S. Players scratched paint off paper cards to reveal numbers matching those drawn in lotteries to win money prizes. This established the core scratch card concept that still thrives today. However, it wasn’t really until the 1970s that the games took the form we know and love today.

The inception of digital scanning technology in the 1970s provided the breakthrough needed to streamline production and validation.

Computer generated randomization allowed mass production of different games with varying odds and payouts. Scannable barcodes also enabled automated prize verification and accounting – no more manually checking winning tickets. These technological leaps made scratchcards a viable mainstream gambling option.

The Digital Revolution

The first computer generated instant win scratch card system was developed by Scientific Games Corporation founder John Koza and Daniel Bower in 1974. The following year, Massachusetts became the first U.S. state lottery to implement the system, kicking off the digital scratch card revolution.

The introduction of computer generated scratchies and scanning technology was the spark needed to ignite scratch card mania across the globe in subsequent decades. Jurisdictions rushed to add instant win games to their lottery offerings through the 1980s and 1990s.

In 1987, the Missouri Lottery launched the first $2 scratch ticket. The higher price provided bigger payouts than traditional pull tab style $0.25 and $0.50 tickets, creating an instant sensation. Scratchies quickly adapted to a wide range of price points to satisfy all levels.

In the 1990s, popularity boomed internationally in regions like Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Australasia. Licensed symbols and themes based on pop culture emerged, featuring entertainment brands like Superman and Monopoly.

By 2000, more than 30 billion scratch card tickets were sold annually worldwide. They generated over $50 billion in player spending each year. In many jurisdictions, instant win tickets accounted for over 50% of all lottery sales – dominating the industry.

The Technology Behind Them

The technology behind scratch cards is a blend of artistry, scientific precision, and security measures. Initially, scratch cards were created with manual randomization, where a latex coating was applied to conceal information. As demand increased, the technology evolved. Here’s a detailed look at what goes into their creation:

With the rise of online gaming, online casino scratch cards have also emerged. These virtual versions simulate the physical scratching experience using interactive graphics and animations powered by RNG (Random Number Generator) technology. They actually work similarly to online slots; each time a new game round begins, the random number generator pulls a result from its server, so that each game is 100% random.

Many manufacturers are also now adopting environmentally friendly practices in the production of scratch cards, including using recyclable materials – something that was seen as a major benefit by those advocating for it.

Why They Became Popular

Scratch cards have become one of the most popular forms of gambling worldwide due to their convenience, affordability, and ability to provide instant gratification. Their small size and wide availability at retailers make them extremely convenient to purchase on impulse. Scratch off games can be bought in gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, and many other locations during daily errands – something that’s very clever by design.

The instant win aspect provides a rush of excitement. Rather than waiting for periodic lottery draws – the only real alternative, back in the day – players could immediately scratch the card and find out if they won a prize. This delivers instant gratification. Smart marketing plays up the convenience angle with slogans like “scratch, match and win!” emphasizing speed and ease.

Low costs also make scratch cards an appealing option. Games are sold at price points ranging from around $1 to $20, allowing casual gambling without risking too much. Unlike land-based casinos, which often require players to gamble with pretty large budgets, scratch card games let those on lower budgets try their hand at gambling, too.

Fun themes and designs add entertainment value on top of gambling. There’s a huge variety of scratch cards featuring licensed brands, colorful graphics, horoscopes, crosswords, trivia questions and more. This makes scratching more engaging and interesting than simply revealing numbers.

Common Myths and Facts

Many people believe scratch off games operate on pure random chance, but there are some facts behind the scenes that clarify how they really work. Scratchies may seem completely randomly generated, but manufacturers actively set odds and payout rates behind the scenes to control the number of winners. Tickets are mass produced all at once, so a new unscratched card has the same stated odds of winning as an old card from the same batch.

Back in the day, there used to be a rather amusing myth that how hard you scratch could impact the odds. Clearly, this isn’t the case – it would be physically impossible! Ticket data is printed directly underneath the latex so gentle and vigorous scratching have the same result.

Another myth is that more expensive scratch games have better odds. In reality, while high price point tickets tend to have bigger total prizes, the odds of winning are typically similar across low and high-cost scratch cards. Finally, buying tickets in bulk does not improve your individual odds per ticket. The stated odds don’t change whether you buy one ticket or one hundred.

Essentially, while scratch cards appear random, manufacturers actively set their own variables behind the scenes. Knowing the facts about how scratch card odds really work can help avoid being misled by common myths and misconceptions. It all comes down to the stated odds for each game; every time you buy a ticket, you have the same implied odds as anyone else, regardless of the number you purchase.

Winning Strategies

Because scratch card odds are preset by manufacturers, there is no way to statistically improve your chances of winning. However, certain strategies can help maximize prizes and enjoyment.

First, know the odds and payouts for different games. Read odds info on the back to make informed selections. While knowing this doesn’t improve your chances of winning, it is good to know. Of course, you should always set a gambling budget and stick to it. Only use funds you can actually afford to lose, and never see scratch off games as more than entertainment.

One unique strategy is to play games with second chance draws. Even if you don’t win instantly, you can enter losing tickets in drawings for another chance. These are pretty much non-existent outside of the US, and they’re not widely available in all states, so you may have to search around a bit to find tickets like this!