\u201cI play when I feel lucky\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nFor many, scratchcards are tied to mood, routine and even superstition. \u201cIf I\u2019ve had a good day, I\u2019ll grab one on the way home,\u201d said a woman in her 30s. \u201cIt\u2019s not really about the money. It\u2019s for the fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Others echoed the feeling that scratchcards had become part of their everyday life. \u201cYou pop into the tabac, you\u2019ve got some coins in your pocket \u2014 you take a ticket,\u201d one man explained. \u201cSometimes you win, sometimes you don\u2019t. That\u2019s the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Players also praised the diversity and creativity of the designs. \u201cThere\u2019s always something new to try,\u201d said one respondent.<\/p>\n
That novelty factor is not lost on the players. \u201cEvery time there\u2019s a new game, I try it,\u201d said another. \u201cYou think, maybe the new ones are more lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI like that it\u2019s simple\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nThe simplicity of scratchcards is part of their charm. \u201cThere are no complicated rules,\u201d said one participant. \u201cYou just scratch and see.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the study, for those who play online, the appeal is slightly different \u2014 faster, more interactive, and increasingly digital-native. \u201cI like the games where there\u2019s animation, or sound effects,\u201d said a younger player: it feels like playing a video game.<\/p>\n
Others enjoy the convenience of mobile play. \u201cYou don\u2019t need to go out. You can play at night, in bed, on your phone,\u201d said one man. \u201cIt\u2019s quick and easy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The French market reflects this shift. While 90% of scratchcard play still occurs in physical points of sale, the number of online players continues to grow, particularly among younger demographics and those who prefer digital formats, revealed the study.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes I win, sometimes I get my money back\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nPart of the enduring popularity of scratchcards lies in the sense of low-risk engagement, and small, frequent wins.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t expect to get rich,\u201d said one man. \u201cBut winning \u20ac5 or \u20ac10 is enough to make you smile.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI often win just enough to buy another ticket,\u201d added another. \u201cIt keeps the fun going.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several players mentioned the feeling of suspense and anticipation as a key part of the experience. \u201cIt\u2019s like a tiny rollercoaster,\u201d said one. \u201cYou scratch slowly, hoping to reveal a good number.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can lose track of how much you\u2019ve spent\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nBut as much as players enjoy the games, they are also increasingly aware of their downsides, particularly when it comes to spending.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it\u2019s \u20ac1 or \u20ac2, it doesn\u2019t feel like real money,\u201d said one woman. \u201cBut when you buy ten of them, it adds up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Others described the emotional shift that can happen when higher-value tickets are involved. \u201cA \u20ac10 ticket isn\u2019t nothing,\u201d said one player. \u201cIf you lose, it stings.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some admitted to chasing losses. \u201cYou tell yourself, \u2018Just one more\u2019,\u201d said a man who plays mostly online. \u201cAnd before you know it, it\u2019s \u20ac50 gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
A growing digital trend, with caution<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cThe study confirms that scratchcards are a popular and enjoyable activity,\u201d ANJ said in its press release. \u201cBut they are not without risk, particularly when played across multiple platforms.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the 5,019 active players surveyed, most were not considered at high risk. But the proportion of players who fell into the moderate- or high-risk category was significantly higher among those who played both online and in physical shops, or primarily online.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t see the money going,\u201d said one digital player. \u201cThere\u2019s no cash, no ticket. Just clicks.\u201d<\/p>\n
The study also noted that players with higher risk profiles were more likely to respond to advertising and promotional offers, especially when games included flashy animations or mechanics inspired by video games or slot machines.<\/p>\n
ANJ is keeping watch<\/strong><\/p>\nDespite the risks, most players saw scratchcards as a harmless pleasure \u2014 with the caveat that they must be used responsibly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI treat it like buying a snack,\u201d said one woman. \u201cBut if I start feeling like I need to win, I stop.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a small treat\u2026 I don\u2019t make it a habit,\u201d another man said. \u201cWhen I lose, it\u2019s not a big deal, I already expected it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ANJ focuses on ensuring that players have the tools and awareness to enjoy it safely.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith such a broad and regular player base, it\u2019s important to monitor and understand the appeal and usage of these games,\u201d the regulator said.<\/p>\n
Experience the pulse of global iGaming at SiGMA Euro-Med<\/strong><\/a>, 01\u201303 September 2025. Join 12,000+ delegates, 400+ exhibitors, and 400+ speakers at Malta\u2019s premier gaming event. From sunlit networking to high-stakes innovation, this is where the Med meets the movers.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"According to the latest figures from the French gambling regulator ANJ, more than 20 million people took part…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":285048,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5309],"tags":[2000,299,36,106727,5882],"class_list":{"0":"post-285047","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-france","8":"tag-eu","9":"tag-europe","10":"tag-france","11":"tag-scratch-it","12":"tag-study"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114902257239715112","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/285047","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=285047"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/285047\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/285048"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=285047"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=285047"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=285047"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}