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Scratchcards Glossary

There are a lot of different terms associated with scratch-offs in the USA. For a start, what do you call them? Are they scratch-offs, scratch tickets, scratchers, scratch its, or something else? We've collected all the important terms on one page, so you can look up the meanings quickly and easily. If you scroll on past the glossary, you'll find the section covering all the different names we use for Scratch-Offs, and where they're mostly used.

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Add-a-Play
A secondary game or bonus feature on a scratch-off that offers an additional chance to win after the maingame is played.
Agent
A retailer or vendor authorized to sell lottery tickets and scratch-offs.
Annuitized Prize
A large jackpot prize that is paid out in regular installments over a set period (e.g., annually for 20 years) rather than as a lump sum.
Barcode
A machine-readable representation of data on the ticket, often used for validation and prize claiming.
Bearer Instrument
A ticket that is payable to whoever possesses it. The person holding the winning ticket can claim the prize.
Bonus Box/Area
A designated section on the scratch-off that offers an extra chance to win a prize, often with different rules or symbols than the main game.
Break-Even Ticket
A scratch-off where the prize won is equal to the cost of the ticket.
Claim Center
A designated location where winners of larger prizes must go to claim their winnings.
Claim Period
The specific length of time after the official end of a scratch-off game during which winning tickets can be redeemed.
Combination Play
A type of scratch card-off game where the player needs to match a specific combination of symbols or numbers to win.
Cost Per Ticket
The price a player pays to purchase a single scratch-off.
Denomination
The face value or price of a scratch-off.
Dispenser
A device used by retailers to hold and dispense scratch-off tickets.
End of Game Date
The official date after which the ticket is no longer eligible for validation. Also referred to as the Validation Deadline.
Entry Ticket
A non-winning scratch card-off that can be entered into a secondary draw or promotion.
Expected Value (EV)
The average amount a player can expect to win (or lose) per ticket in the long run, calculated based on the prize structure and odds. It's often less than the cost of the ticket.
Fast Play
A type of instant win game, often with simpler rules and quicker payouts.
Fold-Out Ticket
A scratch-off that has sections that can be folded out to reveal more play areas or information.
Game Number
A unique identifier assigned to a specific scratch-off game.
Guaranteed Prize
A prize that is definitely awarded if a specific winning condition is met.
High-Tier Prize
One of the largest prizes offered in a scratch-off game.
Instant Game
An instant game is a type of lottery where players find out immediately if they've won, without needing to wait for a drawing. Scratch-offs fall into the Instant Game cateogry.
Instant Win
A scratch-off where the player knows immediately if they have won a prize after scratching off the designated areas - the vast majority of scratch-offs work this way.
Issue Date
The date when a particular series of scratch-off is first made available for sale.
Jackpot
The largest prize offered in a scratch-off game.
Last Day to Claim
The final date by which winning tickets for a particular scratch-off game must be redeemed.
Low-Tier Prize
Smaller, more frequently won prizes in a scratch card-off game.
Lump Sum
A one-time payment of the total prize amount, as opposed to an annuitized prize.
Matching Symbols/Numbers
A common mechanic in scratch-off games where players win by revealing a certain number of identical symbols or numbers.
Multiplier
A feature on some scratch cards-offs that increases the value of a prize won.
Non-Winning Ticket
A scratch card-off that does not entitle the player to any prize in the main game.
Odds
The probability of winning a particular prize or any prize in a scratch-off game, usually expressed as a ratio (e.g., 1 in 4.5).
Official Rules
The detailed regulations and instructions governing a specific scratch-off game, including how to play, prize tiers, odds, and claim procedures.
Pack Number
Identifies the bundle of tickets in distribution - important for inventory control and tracing.
Pay Table
A list of the different winning combinations and their corresponding prize amounts.
Play Area
The section(s) on the scratch-off that the player scratches to reveal symbols or numbers.
Play Instructions
Text or icons on the ticket that guide the player on how to play that specific game.
Prize Pool
The total value of all prizes offered in a particular scratch-off game.
Prize Structure
The breakdown of the total prize pool into different prize tiers and the number of winning tickets for each tier.
Redemption
The process of claiming a winning prize.
Retailer Incentive Prize
A bonus given to the retailer who sold a winning ticket.
Reveal Area
The section on the scratch-off covered by the scratch-off material.
Roll
A continuous sheet of scratch-off tickets, often perforated for easy tearing.
Scratch-Off
A type of instant lottery game where players scratch away a layer on a card to reveal symbols or numbers which determine if they have won a prize. Scratch-offs have many different names in the USA, which you can find listed in the section below this glossary.
Second-Chance Drawing
A promotion where non-winning tickets can be entered for a chance to win additional prizes.
Security Features
Measures incorporated into the design and printing of scratch-offs to prevent counterfeiting and tampering (e.g., holograms, special inks).
Series
A specific batch or printing of a particular scratch-off game, often identified by a unique code.
Set for Life Prize
A prize that pays out a fixed amount regularly for the winner's lifetime.
Sequential Numbers
Unique numbers printed on each ticket in a series for tracking and security purposes. These are also known as Serial Numbers
Sub-Game
A smaller game or bonus feature within the main scratch-off game.
Symbol Match
A type of game where players win by matching a certain number of identical symbols.
Ticket Validation
The process of verifying the authenticity of a scratch-off and determining if it is a winning ticket.
Top Prize
The largest single prize available in a scratch-off game.
Validation Number
A unique number on the ticket used for verification purposes.
Void Area
A zone on the card (usually outside the scratchable portion) that must remain intact for validation.
Void if Removed
A warning often printed on the scratch-off area indicating that tampering will invalidate the ticket.

Different Names for Scratch-Offs

What do you call scratch-offs in your area? Here are some common terms used in North America and the broader English-speaking world.

Scratch-Off - The most widely used term in the U.S., standard in state lottery communications nationwide.

Scratch Ticket - Common in the Midwest, South, and parts of Canada. Often used in printed materials and by retailers.

Scratcher - Widely used in California and neighboring Western states - prominently featured in California Lottery branding.

Scratch-It - Official branding used exclusively by the Oregon Lottery, and recognised in conversation by many Oregonians.

Instant Game - Generic lottery industry term used in most U.S. states and by Canadian provinces to describe scratch-based and other immediate-result games.

Instant Win Game - Used across the U.S. and Canada, especially in online or digital versions. This term emphasizes the 'immediate feedback' aspect.

Scratch Card - The standard term in the UK, Ireland, and parts of Canada. Occasionally used in the northeastern U.S.

Scratchie - Common in Australia and sometimes heard in New Zealand. This term occasionally appears in online Canadian or U.S. player communities but not officially used.

Jeu Instantane - Used in Quebec by the operator, Loto-Quebec. It this term is French for "instant game".