Scratchcard bonus guide

What a scratchcard bonus is, and what it isn't

Put simply, this is a casino promotion that lets you play online scratchcards, the instant-win games where you reveal panels and win if the symbols match a prize rule. There are two common forms: a set number of scratchcards given after a qualifying deposit or bet, and bonus funds whose terms allow scratchcards among the eligible games.

It's easy to confuse with a scratch and win bonus, which is different. That's a promotional mechanic: the casino gives you a virtual card to reveal a reward, such as some spins or a small bonus, as part of a campaign. What we cover here is a reward you spend on real scratchcard games. The two can overlap, but they're priced and regulated as different things. This guide is part of our casino bonuses by game section.

Scratchcard bonus offers at our partner casinos

There isn't one. As of our 5 October 2026 check, none of our five partners offers a scratchcard bonus to new customers, and none of their welcome offers is aimed at instant-win games:

So if a site advertises free scratchcards for signing up, it isn't one of the offers we list. Read the deposit, stake and wagering conditions next to the word "free" before deciding, and check that the operator is licensed by the Gambling Commission.

How online scratchcards work, and why it matters for a bonus

An online scratchcard is a single game round: you choose a stake, the outcome is decided by the random number generator when you buy the card, and revealing the panels just shows you the result. Some cards have a small bonus game or multiplier, but most are a straight win-or-lose reveal.

Three features change how a bonus behaves on them:

• Fixed card prices. Many scratchcards come in set stakes, such as 10p, 50p, £1 or more, so a bonus max-bet rule can rule some prices out.
• RTP varies widely between games. There's no typical figure; the help screen must show the RTP or the chance of winning before you play, under the Commission's remote gambling technical standards (opens in a new tab).
• Speed. One card can be over in seconds. That makes wagering quick to complete, but also makes it easy to spend more than planned.

Studios such as Hacksaw Gaming list scratchcards and instant-win games alongside their slots, so the same casino lobby may hold both. Treat each card as its own game with its own RTP, not as a slot.

Three kinds of scratchcard bonus compared

Similar reveal mechanics appear in reward games and pick and win promotions. These are rewards rather than wagers, but the rewards they give still carry conditions.

Scratchcard bonus maths in pounds

The figures below use an example RTP of 95%. That's for illustration only; check the actual figure for the card you'd play.

The method is the same as for any no-wagering bonus or wagered one: work out the stake value, multiply by the RTP, then take away wagering multiplied by the house edge. At 50% weighting, the £200 of stakes needed costs £10 on average at a 5% edge, which is the whole bonus. These are averages over many cards; any one session can go well above or below them.

Scratchcard game weighting and what UK offers usually exclude

Scratchcards don't have a standard weighting. Depending on the casino, terms might count them at 100% like slots, at a reduced percentage, or not at all. Some offers group them under "instant win" or "other games", so search the terms for both words. Our game weighting guide explains how the contribution percentage multiplies the stakes you need.

Common exclusions or limits that affect scratchcard play include:

• Instant-win and scratchcard categories listed as excluded games;
• A max bet with an active bonus that rules out higher-priced cards;
• A cap on bonus winnings, which matters on cards with a large top prize; see our max win guide;
• Excluded payment methods for the qualifying deposit, such as e-wallets or prepaid cards.

If you're unsure whether a card counts, the bonus tab or a written answer from support is the reliable source. Our list of which games are excluded from bonuses covers the patterns across game types.

Speed, budgets and scratchcard bonuses

The feature that makes scratchcards simple is also the one to watch. A slot spin has to take at least 2.5 seconds in Great Britain, and other online casino games have had their own minimum game-cycle times since 17 January 2025, but a scratchcard round still finishes quickly. One hundred £1 cards to clear £100 of wagering can be done in a short sitting, and the losses arrive just as quickly as the wins.

Practical guardrails help:

• Set a deposit limit before your first deposit; UK casinos prompt you to set a financial limit at that point. Our guide on how to set deposit limits shows how.
• Turn on a reality check so you see time and net position during play.
• Decide the number of cards in advance, and stop when you reach it, whatever the bonus balance says.

If scratchcard play stops feeling like entertainment, the National Gambling Helpline is free and open 24/7 on 0808 8020 133, and GamCare (opens in a new tab) offers live chat.

UK rules that apply to scratchcard bonuses

The cap is in the Gambling Commission's code on rewards and bonuses (opens in a new tab). Advertising of "free" cards must also state the significant conditions, such as a deposit or stake requirement, close to the offer; the ASA's guidance on free bets and bonuses in gambling ads (opens in a new tab) explains what counts. Our pages on the 10x wagering cap and the mixed-product promotion ban give the background.

How to check a scratchcard bonus before you claim it

1. Find the offer's significant terms and note the qualifying deposit, card price or bonus amount, wagering, expiry and excluded payment methods.
2. Check which scratchcards or instant-win games the offer names, and whether bonus funds count on them at 100%.
3. Open a card's help screen and note its RTP and stake options.
4. Work out the value: cards × price × RTP for free cards, or bonus minus wagering × house edge for bonus funds.
5. Set a deposit limit, then decide whether the offer is worth it at all.
6. If you claim, keep your card price within any max-bet rule and track wagering in the bonus tab.

Our casino bonus checklist has the same questions for any offer type.

Where to play: partner slot offers rather than scratchcard bonuses

As none of our partners has a scratchcard bonus, the boxes below are slot offers for new customers aged 18+. Terms apply, and none can be used on scratchcards:

• Coral: after a qualifying deposit, bet £10 or more on slots to get 100 free spins at 10p on the selected games (£10 of spins); accept within 48 hours, use within 7 days, no wagering on winnings. Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards don't qualify. See Coral free spins.
• Ladbrokes: deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day for the first 10 days (up to 500 at 10p) on selected games; claim before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days, no wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits don't qualify. See Ladbrokes free spins.
• PlayOJO: first deposit of £10 or more for 80 free spins at 10p on Big Bass Bonanza, with winnings paid in cash and no wagering; not available in Northern Ireland. See PlayOJO free spins.

18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Decide a budget before you play: set a budget. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.