With so many online casino games available these days, choosing the right one can be tricky. Slots are unquestionably the most popular option, but scratch cards can provide an entertaining alternative.
There are several similarities between the two, which means many players enjoy both. However, as you’ll discover in this blog post, there are also several clear differences between scratch cards and slots.
What Are Scratch Online Card Games?
Scratch cards were pioneered in the mid-1970s by John Koza and Daniel Bower. The first game was sold in Boston in 1974, and the format has remained largely unchanged ever since.
They are called this because the player literally scratches off a surface coating to reveal many hidden symbols. If your card contains a winning combination, you’ll receive a prize.
Online scratch card casino games follow the exact same methodology, only they’re played on your computer or smartphone. The “scratching” takes place virtually via a fun, interactive mechanism, though it’s usually possible to disable it and receive an instant result. Online scratch games at BetMGM Casino offer the chance to win real money with just a few clicks.
What Are Online Slots?
The history of slot machines dates back to the late 1800s. These mechanical games required players to pull a lever that would spin a number of reels bearing different symbols. Similar to scratch cards, the idea is to match a certain combination of symbols, resulting in different payouts.
Over the years, and especially after moving into the online space, slot machines have changed how they work. These games have become increasingly complex, with more reels, rows, features, and jackpots added.
How the Two Compare
How do scratch cards vs slots games actually compare? The key similarities and differences are outlined below.
Payout
Online scratch cards almost always have a set structure. Match a certain number of a specific symbol to win a predetermined amount.
For example, in Merlin’s Millions, a popular scratch card at BetMGM Casino, there are eight different prizes. Three Merlin symbols award the highest payout of 1,000x your chosen stake, while three of the potion bottles pay 5x.
Slots, on the other hand, tend to offer a wider range of possible prizes. The larger reels mean more possible winning combinations.
Jackpots
There are two main types of jackpots: fixed and progressive. With the former, a predetermined figure is paid if you land the required combination of symbols. However, the big jackpot slots, such as MGM Grand Millions, use a progressive mechanic that deducts a tiny percentage from every bet. These small amounts are continually added to the pool, which can result in rewards of more than $1 million dollars.
Some arcade games with bonus rounds include jackpot-like features, including some scratch cards.
Return To Player (RTP) Rates
Return to player (RTP)slot percentages indicate how much players are likely to win or lose playing a casino game in the long run.
In terms of overall RTP, scratch cards could pay out much less. Physical cards RTP’s vary dramatically, with online games offering RTPs similar to online slots. For example, Merlin’s Millions has an RTP of 95.17%, demonstrating the house edge in variety games.
For BetMGM online slots, 96% is considered the average. The potential payout rates in slots also vary much more, with some titles as low as 92%, while slots with the best payout percentages will offer returns of 97% or above.
Gameplay
When playing at a casino online, betting comes in all shapes and sizes. There are many different games, all offering their own unique bet types. Choosing the right one comes down to personal preferences.
Playing scratch card games is easy, as they are among the simplest casino games. All you need to do is scratch to reveal your prize. Many games don’t even require the effort of virtually scratching, offering immediate results. Instant gratification is a major reason for the popularity of arcade games, but many gamblers also enjoy the suspense that other games offer.
Those players might prefer slots, as you have to work a little harder for your prizes. First of all, the reels have to spin. Even if you speed the game up by engaging a “turbo” mode, this process is slower than scratch card results.
To win the biggest prizes, you often need to trigger some sort of bonus round. Players may also need to interact with these bonus rounds, making choices that affect how the feature plays out. This extra level of interaction contributes to why slots are so popular. It’s no surprise that some of the top slots of all time offer more complex bonus games and unusual payout mechanics to keep players engaged.
Strategy
The biggest similarity between slots and scratch-offs is that neither requires skill to play. There’s literally nothing you can do to influence the outcome of either game. Slots are usually more complex, but the outcome is determined by random number generator (RNG) software.
That said, you can always apply some tips for playing arcade games at online casinos, like taking the time to read up on the rules or ensuring you manage your slot bankroll with care, just as you would for scratch cards or, indeed, any form of gambling. There’s certainly plenty of skill, patience, and discipline required in that department. But in terms of improving your chances of winning, both games are pure luck.
Entertainment Value
There are no scratch card or online slot strategies that can guarantee victory. As such, the two main factors when choosing a game are obviously how much you could win and how enjoyable it is to play. This is true for both, but there’s more room to make slots more entertaining.
The instant nature of a scratch card means that the game is over as soon as it’s begun. If you don’t win, it can be disappointing. There isn’t much entertainment aside from a brief moment of suspense. But with slots, it’s possible to simply play a game for fun — often for long periods — even if you don’t necessarily win a prize. This is why the best online scratch card games put a lot of love into their presentation to jazz up each round.
Obviously, when playing online slots, real-money wins are a crucial consideration. But ultimately, much of the fun lies in actually playing the game, regardless of success.
Availability
In terms of physical slot machines and scratch cards, the former are probably harder to come by. After all, many newsstands, gas stations, and stores carry scratch cards, but you’d need to visit and join a casino to play slots.
However, the opposite is true online. Slots are the most popular form of gambling in physical casinos, so it’s no surprise that this is also true at their internet equivalents. Online slot machines, therefore, usually make up the bulk of a casino’s game catalog. When choosing a slot to play online, expect to have hundreds, if not thousands, of options.
However, even at the world’s biggest casinos, it’s rare to see more than a dozen or so scratch card games online in the library. While playing casino variety games usually means a smaller variety of titles, these games sometimes offer a wider variety of game mechanics, making them appealing to those who are looking for something new and exciting to try out.
Hit the Jackpot With BetMGM Casino
Whichever you prefer, BetMGM Casino boasts a sizable selection of online slots and BetMGM scratch card games, plus plenty of other popular titles. That’s just one reason why players choose BetMGM Casino for online gambling.
Don’t forget that you can also use your BetMGM Rewards points earned online when you visit physical properties and play casino games within the legal states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan.
Register at BetMGM Casino and discover a fantastic selection of slots and instant-win games.
