The Best Online Scratch Cards UK 2022 – Scratch and Win Big!

The adrenaline rush that comes from playing online scratch cards is like no other! In this guide, you'll find all the most important things you need to know about these scratch cards, including whether you can play them for free, how much can you win, and if they're the same as the real scratch cards you buy in stores. Keep reading to find out!

The Best UK Scratchcard Casino Sites To Play

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What are Online Scratch Cards?

Online scratch cards are an adaptation of traditional scratch cards you can buy at your local newsagent or supermarket.

The basic premise remains the same, but instead of getting UV ink shavings all over your fingers and clothes, the software will reveal what lies underneath instead. Or, if you want to replicate the feel of scratching the panels off yourself, you can even erase them with your finger.

Depending on the card, the objective can vary. You might be required to match symbols, collect a certain symbol or get a higher number than the one on the card. There is a wide variety of online scratch card themes already on the market, with many more to follow.

 

How to Play Scratch Cards Online

Scratch cards are commonly found at most of the best online casinos in the UK, and usually follow on from the standard games available. These include popular casino games like roulette, blackjack and poker, but tucked away somewhere will be a whole host of online scratch cards for you to sink your teeth into.

Once you have located the category and chosen your favourite scratch card, the rest is easy. You can usually choose how many scratch cards you wish to purchase, which then calculates the overall price. Depending on the casino, the online scratch cards you've selected could be worth different values.

After you have chosen how many you would like to purchase, simply click the “Reveal All” button to unveil all the hidden symbols. The online casino will then automatically analyse the online scratch card and highlight any areas of success. Should you be successful, the software will apply the winnings (or bonus round, should there be one) automatically.

 

Online Scratch Cards Rules

Most of the play on online scratch card sites is automated and done through your account, which should of course read your true identity. There is no need to note down your details and send them off get your winnings, like you sometimes have to do with physical scratch cards.

Age restrictions have always been an important pillar in policing lottery websites. If we take the UK as an example, there was a major crackdown in 2020 on underage players accessing games, like online scratch cards. The movement aimed to increase the legal age to play on scratch card sites to 18, as 16 and 17 year olds were previously allowed to play.

Other than that, any other rules rather resemble guidelines, and stem more from things you should look out for. Checking that an online casino is fully licensed will give you peace of mind, for instance. This also verifies that the games are fair, and that your winnings are indeed legitimate.

In addition, checking for compliant security standards ensures that the scratch card game play is not rigged. Furthermore, if an online casino is partnered up with a gambling body such as the UK Gambling Commission, you can rest assured that it is well-regulated.

All in all, the rules and setup are very simple, making online scratch cards straightforward and enjoyable – just remember to keep an eye out for some of the things we pointed out above.

 

What are the Winning Odds for Online Scratch Cards?

Online scratch cards are generally designed for casual, lighthearted fun, with the very best online scratch cards there to reward you too. Although the odds won't normally be stacked ridiculously against you, they will vary according to different scratch card sites. Therefore, it is worth browsing around to find the ones that pay out more regularly.

Generally, the best odds range from 1:3.5 to 1:2.5, meaning you have a 29% to 40% chance of winning (one divided by the second ratio figure). Some online scratch cards will also display a simple percentage to give you an indication of your chances.

However, there are factors that can influence your odds on winning, such as the number of squares on a grid. The larger the grid, the greater the chance you'll have of finding more of the same symbol or amount.

Of course, there is a large element of luck involved in online scratch cards, since your level of control on the outcome is limited. But that only makes winning that much sweeter!

 

The Difference Between Real Scratch Cards and Online Scratch Cards

There are plenty of obvious differences between real and virtual scratch cards. With the former, you have to take a coin and scratch off the silver panels yourself, whereas with the latter, a computer unveils everything for you. Having said that, the real answer to this question is speed, with a dash of convenience. With just a few clicks of a button, players will have an online casino scratch card right before their eyes.

True – you might miss the suspense of scratching off the panels one by one, together with the tension that builds as you hope against hope for that one last apple to appear. However, the speed at which results are given with online play more than makes up for this.

Thanks to the advanced graphics and animation, that suspense is replaced by background jingles and lively animation; in this way, online scratch cards provide a higher entertainment factor. And finally, if you are lucky enough to emerge with the winnings you anticipated, they'll be sent straight into your account balance.

The withdrawal process to receive those winnings using the payment method of your choice is equally as rapid, and far more efficient than calling a number or sending off a winning scratch card.

Perhaps one of the most notable differences that comes with the development of mobile technology is playing on the go. The best mobile casinos will allow you to play scratch cards online wherever you are! With many options offering the best scratch cards, UK players are really spoiled for choice.

 

The UK National Lottery Scratch Cards

“It could be you!” So said the famous slogan of the National Lottery, the UK’s first and favourite lotto company that launched in 1994.

The lottery draws that occur – nowadays, throughout the week – are incredibly popular up and down the country, with big jackpots to be won. Scratch cards are also very popular among the British public, since you can buy them from nearly all supermarkets and newsagents.

You can purchase these scratch cards for different amounts and be offered a huge variety of prizes. The real fun of the physical scratch card, as we alluded to earlier, lies in the excitement of unveiling the symbols yourself.

The National Lottery produces two main versions of tickets. There are the scratch cards that stick with the original principle of matching numbers, and then there those which are played by matching symbols and values to win prizes.

 

Get Started With Online Scratch Cards

Whilst the internet was still in its infancy, doing certain things, such as playing games online, was quite limited. With the dawn of the so-called Digital Age, however, we have seen an explosion of online activity.

One example of the above would be playing esports. Simple video games have now become online, global competitions, with plenty of esports casinos where players can even bet on their favourite teams and tournaments.

In the same way online casinos have started supporting esports, scratch card sites are now enabling people to scratch and win online. There are more and more online casinos and operators opening and broadening their online scratch card market, and the best online scratch card casinos can be accessed both from the comfort of your home and on the move.

 

Sign Up on Scratch Card Sites

Registering at these online casinos is extremely easy to do. Bear in mind, though, that ID verification is an absolute must when looking to play in the UK. This simply means that the operator will need to verify your identity for your casino account before you start playing.

The documents most commonly required for signing up are your passport, driver’s licence and/or national identity card (if applicable). Once you have filled in the relevant details, there might be an additional layer of proof required, usually in the form of a utility bill to prove your address. Once you have ticked all these boxes, you'll be ready to start playing on the scratch card site in question.

 

How Do I Deposit on Scratch Card Sites?

Once your registration is verified, a process that is often instant, you'll be able to add funds to your account. Depositing is just as easy as signing up – if not easier. Once you have located the ‘Banking’ page, you will be greeted with a plethora of payment methods.

These can range from debit/credit cards and e-wallets to cryptocurrency (used in crypto casinos) and even PayPal. Depending on which method you choose, you might need to also have an account set up with that provider. With NETELLER, for example, an online e-wallet, you will need to register with them prior to depositing.

Once you have all the right information in place, simply follow the instructions from the ‘Banking’ page; within a few minutes, you should have funds ready to use on scratch card sites.

Nowadays, nearly all payment methods are 100% secure, with many requiring two-step verification to confirm your transfer. Deposits usually arrive instantaneously, so you can get playing immediately!

 

Play Scratch Cards No Deposit

Welcome bonuses for first-time registration at betting sites are extremely common. These offers are usually triggered when you deposit a certain amount. If online casinos are feeling particularly generous, they will even grant you scratch cards no deposit bonuses, which is free cash with no deposit required.

This is exactly what it looks like: free money. All online casinos will have a ‘Promotions’ page where you can find the best casino no deposit bonuses, even for other casino games. New casino bonuses can be found everywhere, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for them.

 

How Do I Withdraw My Winnings?

Withdrawing is just as easy as depositing, though it helps if you use the same payment method with which you deposited funds. A lot of UK licensed casinos, especially the bigger names, will have a separate ‘Withdraw’ tab.

Regardless, you can also usually withdraw by selecting the payment method. Then, enter and confirm the amount you would like to withdraw. At scratch card sites, it really is as simple as that. Although it's still worth checking the transfer times for withdrawals, just to be on the safe side, most are rapid, if not instant.

 

Different Variations of Online Scratch Cards

In the same way there are recognised game providers like NetEnt for slots and Blizzard for esports games, online scratch cards are also created by dedicated software developers. However, the latter have a slightly trickier task at hand.

One of the challenges that scratch card creators face is that they cannot explore new, different maps for first person shooter games, like in esports; nor can they design different backdrops, as is normally done for animal-themed slot games.

However, thanks to current and original lottery and bingo creations, there are indeed different variations of online casino scratch cards available. The formats of these two classic lotto games lend themselves nicely to online scratch-and-win play.

Despite these apparent limitations, online scratch card providers and creators do a stellar job of coming up with new ideas for themes and designs to keep players interested. But the gameplay is where it starts to get interesting. The standard rounds, matching symbols, finding a symbol or trying to get higher or lower than the house are interwoven with themes and designs to create unique game scenarios.

On real scratch cards, you also normally have bonus sections which give you additional chances to win prizes, such as one panel, win or lose. This idea is not lost in their online counterparts, which still offer last chance saloon bonus panels to win even more. Bonus rounds come in various different formats, each as interactive and exciting as the other.

 

• Fixed-Price Scratch Cards

Playing with fixed-price scratch cards allows the player to keep tabs on what they are spending. These cards can still produce instant wins, but the stake remains the same. This is the more traditional scratch card option on scratch card sites.

 

• Variable Price Instant Wins

A slightly more elaborate variant of scratch cards is the variable price kind. This is designed for players who wish to play with increased funds, which, in turn, provides the opportunity to win bigger prizes with the online scratch card in question.

By altering the stakes, you are thereby also altering the level of risk. Risk and reward is the name of the game for most casino play, and you can explore this angle even with online scratch cards.

 

• Lottery Scratch Cards Online

The “Lotto” version of online scratch cards uses the classic lottery system of numbers, along with the powerball/thunderball. Unlike deliberately selecting your favourite numbers on a physical ticket, the aim is to match the numbers you are randomly given with the numbers that are unveiled on the grid.

Just like the lottery, there are often different prizes for the respective number of balls you manage to match. Another variation are online scratch cards, where you have to locate a powerball/thunderball to win.

 

• Bingo Lottery Scratch Card

In the same way lottery scratch cards represent the classic lottery numbers game, bingo lottery cards are much the same. They have adopted the classic bingo format of matching randomly drawn numbers with the numbers you are given on your grid.

Of course, with online scratch cards at online bingo sites, you do not have an announcer shouting, “two fat ladies, eighty-eight”. Instead, you follow stunningly defined graphics and game soundtracks as the game draws balls from the pot. Typically, you win prizes for getting consecutive numbers in a row, column, or even filling the four corners of a square.

 

Scratch Cards Online Themes

Variety is vital on the best online scratchcard sites. Players need to be kept interested with new designs, new ideas and innovation. That being said, perhaps the best way to attract and retain players is to make a connection with them. There is no better way of doing that than by creating a theme that resonates with someone’s interests or past.

It’s not uncommon to find different themed slots at online casinos. TV slots and adventure-themed slots games are particularly popular, as well as branded slots.

The idea of introducing themed online casino scratch cards is something that is finding its way into online casinos everywhere. Below, we're just going to give you a small taster of some of the most recent creations. With themes making their way onto the best scratch cards, UK players have a new world of options to choose from!

Ted Big Money Scratchcard

 

This online scratch card is taken from the hit film starring Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Ted himself (voiced by Seth MacFarlane), and is incredibly fun and interactive.

There are three games available to play. In Game 1, you need to match two values to win that amount. In Game 2, find a Ted head to win, and then go on to hope that your number beats Ted’s in Game 3.

If you didn't manage to win anything from these three games, worry not; there’s still something left in store. If you can successfully find three Thunder Buddies Bonus, you activate the “Wheel of Fartune” (no, the latter is not a typo). Once this wheel is activated with the three Thunder Buddies Bonuses, you can transform sections of the wheel into arrows by finding more of these tokens.

Once the final panel is revealed, you move on to the all-important spin. Whichever value the arrow lands on, you win. Thanks, Ted. The prizes on offer are multipliers or one of three bonus features.

This bonus level, brought to you by Blueprint Gaming, is just one of many other bonus rounds named after features from the film. Try your luck at winning with the Ted Modifier, Bar Crawl Bonus, Ted’s Pyramid Bonus and Big Money rounds.

With realistic scratching sound effects backed up by an exciting soundtrack, this game is definitely worth a try.

 

50X

A classical scratch card format game, 50X gives you the simple task of scratching and matching the hidden tiles with numbers you are given.

These numbers are displayed at the top, alongside multipliers for uncovering certain numbers, using a simple click-to-unveil system as you go on the hunt.

The multiplier factor here gives the player more chances to win bigger prizes, and is something that you can only find on an online scratch card. The limitations of physical scratch cards become evident after you've experienced bonus aspects such as these multipliers, which can enhance online scratch cards winnings on scratch card sites.

 

Monopoly Jackpot

Taken, of course, from the world-renowned board game, this online Jackpot version gives a roulette twist to the scratch card game. In addition to licensing various Monopoly Slots games, the brand has also branched out to include online scratch cards in its portfolio.

With three games available, you aim to match symbols given to you in Game 1, before trying to add two symbol values up to make 10. Finally, in Game 3, you need to roll two identical dice to win the secret amount.

Throughout, you'll notice the familiar features of the physical board game, such as the player pieces, dice and houses in the pre-game. Then, you’ll recognise property names in the three accompanying bonus rounds.

The first bonus round hangs on matching symbols. Once you unveil your winning symbol by clicking on the centre of the square, you then rely on the spinning roulette wheel to land on that same symbol to win.

The second bonus game gives you a numerical value in the centre of the circle. Once again, the wheel spins; but this time, you are looking to land on a value that brings the total up to 10.

To complete the game, you are given a face value of the dice. The aim is to land on the same face value and win the amount that corresponds to the two dice values.

This adaptation is a good example of the advantage of online scratch card games, with ordinary scratch card elements having been paired nicely with the added dimensions of interactive bonus rounds. The different Monopoly versions are seen as some of the best scratch cards UK players can get their hands on.

 

Best Scratch Cards to Win Online

There are plenty of online scratch cards to choose from, and plenty that offer a good chance of winning. To help you decide which game to play, you should check the probability of winning, or Return-To-Player (RTP).

 

7 Piggies Scratchcard

Pay a visit to the Piggies for some farm-based fun. The beauty of this game lies in its simplicity: unveil the amounts behind the barns to see if you can match 3 values. The fun animation and the adorable Piggie family, backed up by the funky soundtrack, make this online scratch card thoroughly enjoyable.

 

Harry Trotter The Pig Wizard

There is another pig in town, though, also hoping to conjure up some scratch card winnings for you. Match 3 symbols to be in with a chance to win – but don't forget to look out for those Bonus symbols! If you manage to find three of these, you unlock the treasure chest bonus.

Here, you roll a dice to move around a board, hoping to avoid the Curse potion, which will end the round. Keep moving around the board collecting potions, multipliers and crystal balls to be in with a chance to win magical prizes.

And the spell-binding action does not stop there! If you unveil a V-E-G-A-S token on the scratch card, you are in with a chance for one of 5 progressive jackpots.

 

Scratch Witch Pickings

With this game, you'll encounter witches trying to conjure a spell on you. Match 3 symbols to win a prize. However, if you unveil three bonus symbols, you'll proceed onto the Ladder round, where you hunt for mushrooms to progress up the ladder. The number of mushrooms you find are converted to prizes!

Scratch Merlins Millions

Walk in the footsteps of this legendary wizard as he takes you on a magical scratch card adventure. Your aim is to match 3 symbols to conjure your reward. Each symbol has its own multiplier, and you'll have the chance to match two sets of symbols on the online scratch card to increase your winnings. If you find 3 orbs, then you know you possess the magic touch! You are awarded free games if you find these special symbols.

Ghostbusters Spectral Search

Who you gonna call? Well, Ghostbusters of course! Grab your proton pack and blast your way around the different locations to pick up prizes. You can visit two locations with each play, so choose your path wisely. Your mission is to match 2 or more symbols to win the corresponding prize. If you bump into Slimer, you win an instant prize.

 

How to Win on Online Scratch Cards Tips

Although there isn’t much skill involved in the actual playing of online scratch cards, there are a few pointers you can take into the action to give you a slight advantage.

• Check the odds or RTP on the online scratch card. Needless to say, the higher the percentage, the higher the chances are. Although not 100% accurate, these figures are averaged out over theoretical millions of plays. We would recommend playing online scratch cards with an RTP of 94% or higher.
• If there is a jackpot involved, check how high it is. The higher it is, the more players there will be trying to snag it.
• Demo a game at scratch card sites. If you feel you’re going into uncharted territory with a new game, trial it first so that you get a feel for what you’re potentially getting into. More importantly, see if you actually enjoy playing the game. An equally entertaining and lucrative experience is the best outcome.
• In the case of many online scratch cards, you'll need to stay in the game for the long run. So, a tactic we recommend is to keep your stakes low, and slowly chip away at the number of cards you go through.
• Finally, it's important to know when to call it a day when playing on scratch card sites. Set limits for yourself so that you don’t spend outside of your predetermined budget. For more information, there are dedicated helplines and regulatory bodies like GAMSTOP.

 

Return to Player on Scratch Cards

With all the variations involved in online scratch card play, it is difficult to calculate an exact Return-To-Player (RTP) percentage. However, the average scratch card RTP stands somewhere around 92.02%. This statistic counts for online scratch cards and instant-win games.

Keeping this in mind, the aforementioned variables – such as stake amount, scratch card format (grid size) and bonus games – can alter your probabilities of winning.

 

Online Scratch Card Winners

Anyone that steps into the best online scratch card arenas dreams of that big win. However, there’s no correlation between the best online casino scratch cards paying out more or online scratch cards and a skill factor. So, like with the lottery, the chances of winning are basically equal for anyone who plays scratch cards online.

There is no better story than the chef Didzis Pirags, who won £1m over the festive period in 2019. He won this life-changing amount while playing Merry Millions Instant Win, with just £6.50 left in his account!

 

History of Scratch Cards

We can trace the origins of the scratch card back to 1974. Back then, the lottery already existed, with merchants in supermarkets and petrol stations choosing and verifying lottery numbers. Then, eager players would wait for the announcement of the winning numbers in the evening.

Scratch cards were first designed in the USA by John Koza. His creation, “The Instant Game”, with a new laminated coating, generated just over £2m in its first week of sales. This newly founded scratch card craze only crossed the pond to the UK in 1995, now known as the National Lottery. The rest is history.

Due to the success of the real scratch cards, it was inevitable that the online world would snap this craze up. And they did, but not with the expected results. Online scratch cards made a relatively small splash compared to their physical counterparts.

However, over time, alongside the introduction and development of the internet, online scratch card sites became more accessible. As a result, popularity increased sharply, and more online casinos began to take note.

Nowadays, you can play scratch cards online at many top online casinos. As we have mentioned, there is a huge variety of designs, themes and styles to captivate an ever-growing audience. As for the future, the signs are only pointing towards a further growth in the online scratch card market as the world slowly continues its near-total digitalisation.

 

Online Scratch Cards Summary

Judging by how far online scratch cards have come in such a short period of time, we think it is safe to assume that they will continue to be a huge success. Traditional casino games like slots and roulette have been around much longer than online scratch cards, but the latter is quickly climbing up the popularity scale.

However, the evolution of technology and growth in popularity have happened rather quickly. At this point, playing scratch cards online quite closely resembles the real thing.

If you have a touch screen device, you can actually erase the panels with your finger. And as we mentioned with the Ted scratch card, you even get the scratching noises too. If you throw in these crisp animations and thematic sound effects, the online scratch card experience comes alive as though you were handling the physical object in your hands.

With the overhaul of regulatory bodies like UKGC and MGA, online casinos have become safer and more user-friendly in recent years.  The way we see it, online scratch card action can only benefit from this, helped by how fast it is to deposit and withdraw your money through these sites.

The variety of scratch cards is greater than ever, offering winnings that are increasing all the time, as well as greater chances to win. So give online scratch cards a try at one of our recommended casinos, and join the fun today!