Scratch Cards, which are also known as ‘’Scratchies” or “Scratch Out Tickets”, are one of the casino industry’s newest developments. Lotteries and their games have been popular across the globe for thousands of years, but Scratch Cards themselves were actually only invented in the 1970s, making them a far more modern way to play for cash.
The cards were invented by a number of American computer scientists, who managed to breathe new life into an interesting concept. That concept was one of instant lottery games, which provided instant wins without having to display skill, put in effort, or wait for the results of your draw. This was a very appealing factor to busy players, who would ordinarily have to wait at least a week to see if they had won anything in a classic lottery draw. The likelihood of losing a Scratch Card was also much lower, as they were meant to be used immediately after purchase.
Launch of the Instant Game
One of the first Scratch Cards to be introduced to the market was called The Instant Game. It was launched by the Massachusetts State Lottery shortly after being developed in the 70s, and became an instant hit. The game’s popularity was so great that many other national and state lotteries followed suit, starting to offer scratch games of their own. Another huge boon for the industry came when AstroMed Inc., a US company in Rhode Island, patented their own Scratch Card game in 1987.
Scratch Cards have historically been used for a number of purposes. These include charitable fund raising, federal association events, as a means of marketing, and as a classic lottery game. Due to this and their inherent simplicity, they appeal to a massive international audience of players. Their cute and quirky themes and graphics also make them attractive to players who want to wager and enjoy light-hearted fun without putting in too much effort.
The Switch to Online Platforms
As Scratch Cards made their way into the 21st century, they underwent another major change. Players began to make the switch to online and mobile gaming platforms during the 2000s, and nowadays, most casino players play virtually instead of on land. Scratch Cards were not exempt from this shift, and soon became widely available at online and mobile casinos. They still offer instant cash prizes, but the new virtual format makes them even more convenient to access and play.
You might also find online casinos dedicated completely to Scratch Cards on the web today. The first of these was launched in 2005, and offered a wide and varied range of games to choose from. The Scratch Cards of the iGaming world boast a massive selection of exciting themes, along with colourful graphics, interesting animations, and even integrated features of other casino games like bingo or pokies.
Software developers are always trying to improve classic game designs, which is why you will always be able to find a unique Scratch Card to suit your needs online!
