Scratch cards UK
Instant-win games: buy a card, reveal the panels, and a prize is either there or not..
- House edge10.0%
- RTP85% to 95%
- SkillNo
- Pace200/hr
By Ryan Jessop. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- House edge: about 5% to 15%.
- Best bet: a card whose RTP is stated and above 90%.
- Avoid: cards with no stated RTP.
- Skill involved: no.
AnswerInstant-win games: buy a card, reveal the panels, and a prize is either there or not. The best bet is a card whose RTP is stated and above 90%.
How scratch cards works
- Choose a card and its price.
- Reveal the panels.
- Matching symbols or amounts win.
- The result is instant.
- Buy another, or stop.
Bets and house edge
| Bet | Pays | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| Online scratch card | Fixed prize table | About 5% to 15% |
Best and worst bets
Best
A card whose RTP is stated and above 90%.
Avoid
Cards with no stated RTP.
Variants
Online scratch cards come in themes and price points from pennies to pounds. The prize table is fixed for each title. Instant-win games dressed as other things, such as mines or plinko-style games, follow the same logic and state their own RTP.
More on scratch cards
What an hour costs
| Stake | Rounds an hour | Staked | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| £1 | About 200 | £200 | £20 |
| £2 | About 200 | £400 | £40 |
| £5 | About 200 | £1000 | £100 |
At a house edge of 10.0%. A long-run average; any one hour can differ widely.
Three things to know
- Check the RTP; it is often lower than slots.
- They are quick; set a card count.
- The top prize is very unlikely.
Scratch cards and bonuses
Typical contribution to bonus wagering: varies. None of the five welcome offers we list is cleared on scratch cards.
Where to play
All five are compared on where to play casino games.
Not confirmed in our sources; check the lobby.
| Casino | Games | Live studios | Games score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casumo | 3,500+ games | Evolution, Pragmatic Play and Playtech, plus Casumo-branded tables | 9.0/10 |
| Coral | 2,000+ games (some reports put it far higher) | Evolution, Playtech and Pragmatic Play | 8.5/10 |
| Ladbrokes | 2,000+ games | Evolution, Playtech and Pragmatic Play; around 100 live tables reported | 8.5/10 |
| PlayOJO | 2,000+ games (reports range to 7,000 and above) | Evolution, with other studios reported | 8.5/10 |
| 10bet | 2,000+ games (reports range from 1,200) | Evolution and Pragmatic Play | 8.0/10 |
More games: Live casino games UK, Blackjack UK, Roulette UK and Sic Bo UK.
Rankings, strategy and casinos: Best casino games for beginners, Casino games of skill, RTP explained, Video poker strategy and Coral Casino games review.
Go further: Casino card games UK, Jacks or Better UK and Blackjack vs baccarat.
House edges and RTPs are standard published figures for common rules, and are long-run averages. Offer terms dated 5 October 2026. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the house edge in scratch cards?
About 5% to 15%.
What is the best bet in scratch cards?
A card whose RTP is stated and above 90%.
Is scratch cards a game of skill?
No.
Can I use a bonus on scratch cards?
Rarely; table and live games usually count little or nothing.