Instant Win Games vs Slots

The Core Difference

Both types of games use RNGs to determine the outcome of players' wagers. The difference between the two game types is in the presentation of those outcomes and how quickly each type of game progresses through its rounds.

• Slots — With slots, players spin the reels and wait for the winning animations to play out. These can last between 30 and 60 seconds before the next round can be taken. Games include various bonus features that extend play within a round.
• Instant win games — With instant win games, the player buys a card and reveals its winning outcome within 2 to 5 seconds. There is no waiting, no spinning reels, and no need to accumulate bonus features to win.

All of the other features of scratch cards and slots relate to the individual games rather than the type of game. For instance, the RTP of scratch cards can be higher or lower than that of a slot game.

RTP — Which Format Pays More?

There is no categorical winner in terms of RTP between scratch cards and slots. Each game has a different RTP according to the game manufacturer.

The best slot machines by RTP have a 99% and 98% RTP for games by NetEnt. These slot games have a higher RTP than the best scratch cards. However, they are not available as frequently as scratch cards. Additionally, the RTP for the 99% slot is only provided for playing the maximum bet for that game.

Among the most popular scratch card and slot games by Pragmatic Play scratch cards and slots, the RTP is nearly the same between both game types.

Pace & Session Length

The pace at which each game format runs is another key difference between scratch cards and slots. The pace impacts the amount of money that players will lose per hour when they play.

• Slots — Slots run at a pace of between 400 and 600 spins per hour. For a slots game with a 96% RTP, for instance, playing slots at a rate of £1 per spin for 500 spins per hour means that players will lose £20 per hour.
• Scratch cards — Scratch cards can reach between 100 and 300 games per hour at a budget of £1 per card. For a scratch card with a 96% RTP, buying 200 scratch cards costs players £200 and results in an expected loss of only £8 per hour.

Scratch cards are, therefore, less expensive for players per hour when they play at equivalent stakes.

However, slots allow for players to reach the maximum prize for that game more quickly.

Volatility

Both game types offer a range of volatility. There is no categorical winner for either game format for volatility.

• Scratch cards can be of low or high volatility. For example, the game Mega 777 is known for having low volatility, as are many low-volatility slots.
• High-volatility scratch card games, such as Lucky Fortune Card and Platinum VIP scratch cards, offer the same volatility as high-volatility slot games.

Additionally, slots offer bonus features that alter the volatility of the game. Scratch cards do not feature any bonus features. As such, scratch cards cannot replicate the experience of encountering a bonus feature in a slot game.

Bonuses & Wagering Requirements

Scratch cards have a disadvantage in the feature of bonuses offered by casinos. Most casino welcome bonuses are targeted towards slots rather than scratch cards.

• Check the terms: Most online casinos will feature a list of games that do not count toward casino bonuses requirements. Scratch cards may be featured in such a list.
• Contribution rate: Even if a scratch card is permitted as a bonus game, it may contribute to only 10% to 50% of the total wagering requirement. With a bonus of £100 and a requirement to wager 30 times, for instance, playing scratch cards at 10% of the wagering requirement means that players must wager £30,000 in scratch cards to cover their bonus wager.
• Some casinos are scratch-card-friendly: A few online casinos do feature bonuses for scratch cards. Check the bonus features of the best online casinos for scratch cards to see which offer the most accommodating bonus terms for scratch card play — see our casino rankings.

Maximum Prizes

The maximum prize amount for slots is much higher. Slots include progressive jackpots that can pay out large prizes, such as £10 million for winning players.

However, the best scratch cards include high maximum prizes:

• The Platinum VIP scratch card pays out prizes up to £1,000,000.
• The Lucky Fortune Card prize is up to £500,000.
• Hot Gems Xtreme features a max prize of £500,000.
• Cash Collect pays out prizes up to £250,000.

For scratch card players who do not wish to chase the maximum prize of £10 million or more for a slot, the maximum prizes offered by scratch cards is more than sufficient.

Who Should Play Which Format

The Verdict

Neither scratch cards nor slot machines are objectively better. It is a matter of preference as to which type of game players like more.

In terms of value per hour, scratch cards win. However, slots win in terms of the potential prize, the variety of features available, and entertainment value. Scratch cards win in terms of simplicity and transparency of winning outcomes.

All that players need to do is to choose games with the highest RTP, match the volatility with their bankroll, and ensure that their preferred casino bonus includes scratch cards before depositing funds.