The Evolution of Scratch Cards

Scratch cards are very accessible, with them being sold almost everywhere. You can purchase scratch cards in shops, supermarkets, scratch card retailers such as bookmakers, and even online. As technology advances, online scratch cards have also exploded in popularity, providing another avenue for players to partake in one of their favourite forms of entertainment. 

In this article, we are going to take a look at how scratch cards came to be and how they have developed into what we have today. So join us as we go over the evolution of scratch cards and see how they became so popular. 

Before the Scratch Card

With how far popular scratch cards have become, it can be difficult imagining a world where they don’t exist. However, before 1974, this was the case. Before 1974 the most common and convenient form of gambling was the lottery. Unlike other forms of gambling that require casinos or sportsbooks, lottery tickets can be found at most shops and supermarkets. These tickets contained a grid of numbers of which players would scratch off what they thought the winning numbers would be. They were then handed back a receipt with their confirmed numbers, and then they waited. The winning draw would take place sometimes days after the purchase of a lottery ticket. As technology advanced, these draws became more and more elaborate and entertaining. These numbers would be drawn at random, and someone would win a very nice cash prize. 

Many people find the wait for the lottery draw to be exciting and enjoy the build-up that leads to knowing if they won or not. However, what about the people that don’t enjoy this? What about the people who find it to be more tedious than enjoyable?

This is where scratch cards come in.

A History of Scratch Cards

Realising that many people don’t enjoy the wait for the lottery draw and would much rather find out if they’ve won immediately, John Koza, a young computer scientist, came up with the idea of scratch cards. John Koza then enlisted the help of his friend Dan Bower, and together they created the first scratchcards. They travelled to eight states pitching their new game until Michigan State decided to invest in the game. Within a week, they had sold millions of tickets. More tickets needed to be produced, and other states also wanted scratchcards. Very quickly, scratchcards became an incredibly popular form of entertainment that was here to stay. 

In 1985 a device was created in order to display the tickets without players purchasing in order to draw in more players. It was believed the look of the tickets was one of the main factors players were initially drawn in. 

UK’s Introduction to Scratch Cards

Scratchcards didn’t make it across to the UK until 1995. It took a very long time for the UK to adopt scratch cards, but once they did, there was no looking back. Scratch cards have since become one of the UK’s most popular forms of entertainment. 

Online Scratch Cards

With the advancement in technology and the introduction of online casinos, it’s no surprise that scratch cards also now have their own online version. The introduction of online scratch cards has allowed players to have a more convenient gameplay experience with a wider game selection. 

What are Online Scratch Cards

Online scratch cards are simply digital versions of the incredibly popular physical scratchcards. Scratchcards typically offer smaller prizes than other lotteries however provide instant gratification to players, which is one of the main reasons players keep coming back to play. 

Difference Between Online and Physical Scratch Cards

The most obvious difference between online and physical scratch cards is the fact that you can physically hold an offline scratch card. However, with that being said, playing on your mobile can somewhat replicate this feeling. 

One of the biggest differences was accessibility. Online scratch cards can be played from anywhere and at any time. This is particularly beneficial for those who live far away from scratch card retailers but is still a great feature as those who want to play scratchcard don’t even have to leave the house. 

Another difference is the variety of games. Online you have access to thousands of different scratchcards, all just a few clicks away. Online you can find loads of different scratch cards, some even with unique features. Let’s take a look at some of the extra features you could be playing thanks to online scratchcards. 

Multipliers 

Some scratch cards include multiplier features which can boost prizes. Behind some matching symbols are bonus symbols. These can be used to increase prizes dramatically. 

Jackpot

Another common bonus feature is a jackpot. Jackpots can be built up over time from players’ stakes. Online scratchcards can include fixed or progressive jackpots to add an additional layer of excitement to the game. 

Summary

Scratchcards, despite being one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world, were not always as popular as they are now. From humble beginnings, scratchcards exploded in popularity ever since their inception in 1974 and are now one of the player’s favourite ways to gamble, with online variations and multiple different types of scratchcards with a wide range of bonus features. Hopefully, this article has helped improve your overall understanding of scratchcards and where they came from. As one of the most accessible and main ways to gamble, we feel it’s important for people to know the history surrounding the world’s favourite form of betting.