If you're new to scratchcards or simply curious about how they work, understanding the odds of potentially winning can be helpful.
This blog explains what scratchcard odds mean, how to find them, and how they can vary from one game to another. This information can help you make more informed decisions if you decide to buy a scratchcard.
We'll also explain where to find these odds, whether you're browsing online or have already purchased a card. All the information here follows UK gambling rules and focuses on safe and responsible play.
What Are The Chances Of Winning On A Scratch Card?
Scratchcards are instant-win games where you remove a coating—usually with a coin—to reveal symbols or numbers underneath. If the symbols match in a specific way, you may win a possible prize.
The outcome of each card is pre-determined when it's printed, which means it’s either a winning card or not before it reaches the shop. You can't influence the result by how you scratch it.
The chances of winning, also known as the "odds", are calculated during the production process. For example, if a card has odds of 1 in 4, this means that statistically one out of every four cards in the full print run is a winner. However, in practice, this doesn’t guarantee that if you buy four cards, one will win.
These odds refer to any prize, whether it’s small—such as £1 or £2—or a larger one. The odds of winning the top prize are much lower and should be listed separately.
It’s important to know that scratchcards are random games of chance. Nothing you do can change the result of a scratchcard once you’ve bought it. You might win a small prize, a larger one, or nothing at all.
How To Find The Odds On Scratch Cards
Each scratchcard has its own set of odds. These are usually printed on the back of the card in the small print section. The odds will look something like “1 in 3.94,” which
means that roughly one out of every four cards may win a potential prize.
Keep in mind that this figure is based on all cards produced, not on the specific cards sold in your local area. Winning cards are spread out across the country at random and any winnings can never be guaranteed.
If you want to check the odds before buying, you can view them on the official National Lottery website.
Here’s how to do that:
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Scroll through the list of available scratchcards.
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Click on the name of the scratchcard you’re interested in.
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A page will open showing how to play, the symbols used, and the possible prize structure.
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You can also download a PDF version with more detailed information.
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On the first page, under “Game details,” you’ll find the overall odds of potentially winning any prize.
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Further down, there’s usually a table that shows the number of prizes available and the odds of winning each specific prize amount.
As scratchcards are replaced regularly, the odds can vary from one game to another. Some may offer longer odds with larger top prizes, while others might offer shorter odds, but smaller maximum wins.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.