Scratch Cards

I've started a rather large undertaking, tracking the scratch card return by state and ticket cost. So far, I have done seven states. I just put some tables up at WoO. It is a work in progress, just tables so far, but please have a look at my new page on .

Here are some comments on my methodology:

• Returns for a given state and ticket cost are based on a single game. I find returns are pretty consistent within any given denomination for a particular state, except New York. Still I would prefer to do a larger sampling, but in most cases every game requires a unique analysis and thus this project is very tedious and time consuming.
• Returns are based on a bet resolved. In other words, if the player wins a free ticket, I assume he keeps playing until he gets anything other than a free ticket. In yet other words, I ignore the free tickets.
• If a prize is paid as an annuity, I use the lump sum value as the win. If the lump sum offer isn't indicated, I take the total payments of the annuity and divide by 2.

At this point, I welcome all comments and suggestions. Is this project even worth completing? I have a feeling the type of person to buy scratch cards is not the same kind of person to do research on their value.

The question for the poll is what do you call a scratch card?

Quote: Wizard

I've started a rather large undertaking, tracking the scratch card return by state and ticket cost. So far, I have done seven states. I just put some tables up at WoO. It is a work in progress, just tables so far, but please have a look at my new page on .

Here are some comments on my methodology:

• Returns for a given state and ticket cost are based on a single game. I find returns are pretty consistent within any given denomination for a particular state, except New York. Still I would prefer to do a larger sampling, but in most cases every game requires a unique analysis and thus this project is very tedious and time consuming.
• Returns are based on a bet resolved. In other words, if the player wins a free ticket, I assume he keeps playing until he gets anything other than a free ticket. In yet other words, I ignore the free tickets.
• If a prize is paid as an annuity, I use the lump sum value as the win. If the lump sum offer isn't indicated, I take the total payments of the annuity and divide by 2.

At this point, I welcome all comments and suggestions. Is this project even worth completing? I have a feeling the type of person to buy scratch cards is not the same kind of person to do research on their value.

The question for the poll is what do you call a scratch card?

I’ve done a similar page, but not quite so specific. If it helps, the State of Maine actually lists RTP for Instant Tickets, by denomination, in its annual lottery report.

https://www.maine.gov/dafs/bablo/sites/maine.gov.dafs.bablo/files/inline-files/BABLO%20Annual%20Report%20-%20FY2020.pdf

Page 15. I don’t know how it accounts for free ticket, “Wins,” so I’d just divide the prize expense by sales for each denomination.

EDIT: Voted other, “Instant Ticket,” is what I call them.

I voted “scratcher”; however, I would have voted “Wizard should NOT cut his hair” had it been an option…!

I appreciate this analysis, if only to know how bad they are when the gf buys them. We occasionally drive to South Shore (Tahoe) or Gold Ranch Verdi to buy lottery tickets when one of the jackpots available to California gets big (~$1B). And she will always spend at least $20 on Scratchers.

FWIW, I believe Alan regarding the stacked dice, especially given the stickiness of many sanitizers.

We call them scratch-offs. My girlfriend loves them. I hate them.

Funny you wouldnt catch me buying a $1 scratch-off ticket, but I spend 4-5 nights a week playing table games at my local casino.

I have always referred to them as scratch-offs. The different names used seems to vary by state.
When I lived in states with the tickets (TX,FL), I would at least look at the remaining grand prizes of particular games when I would buy them. I still enjoy playing them when on the road. The bingo and crossword style games are a good time killer.

This project is interesting to me. GL

Quote: camapl

I voted “scratcher”; however, I would have voted “Wizard should NOT cut his hair” had it been an option…!

I appreciate this analysis, if only to know how bad they are when the gf buys them. We occasionally drive to South Shore (Tahoe) or Gold Ranch Verdi to buy lottery tickets when one of the jackpots available to California gets big (~$1B). And she will always spend at least $20 on Scratchers.

Depends on denomination, usually 55-75%.

According to my lottery report:

https://wizardofodds.com/online-gambling/articles/the-lottery-sucks

Instant ticket RTP in California (for FY19) was 69.28%, all denominations considered.

Quote: Mission146

Depends on denomination, usually 55-75%.

According to my lottery report:

https://wizardofodds.com/online-gambling/articles/the-lottery-sucks

Instant ticket RTP in California (for FY19) was 69.28%, all denominations considered.

Yep, just what I thought! Worse than most live keno options… I sure hope the schools still benefit from the profits.

Quote: camapl

Yep, just what I thought! Worse than most live keno options… I sure hope the schools still benefit from the profits.

It's definitely a good company line, but there are a few states that do not have a state lottery and they seem to also have public schools.

While the lottery does revenue transfers to the state Government that are earmarked for different things, I tend not to believe (though there may be a few exceptions) that those areas are getting any more money than they would have gotten anyway. These revenues just free up Government revenues collected from other mechanisms to do something else, in my opinion.

I guess I shouldn't go any further down this line, though, because I don't want the post to get to the point where it is no longer considered primarily related to gambling.