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Scratchcards in Holland: Rules, Odds and Responsible Play
| Product | Scratchcards (Krasloten), classed as instant lotteries |
|---|---|
| Licence holder | Lotto B.V. (part of Nederlandse Loterij), the only organisation licensed to offer instant lotteries in the Netherlands |
| Legal basis | Dutch Gambling Act (Wet op de kansspelen), article 14a |
| Online status | Selling lottery tickets online is allowed; offering online instant lotteries (virtual scratching) is not permitted under current law |
| Regulator | Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) |
| Minimum age | 18+ |
| Minimum payout | At least 47.5% of total stakes paid out as prizes per calendar year, as set in law |
What are scratchcards (krasloten)?
Scratchcards, known in Dutch as krasloten, are tickets with a covering layer that you scratch away to reveal whether you have won a prize. In the Netherlands they are legally classified as instant lotteries under article 14a of the Dutch Gambling Act. The result is fixed in advance: which tickets win and which do not is decided before the tickets are issued, and you find out the outcome the moment you scratch.
Instant lottery versus traditional lottery
The key difference is timing. With an instant lottery, the prize distribution is set before the tickets go on sale and is tied to the ticket itself, so you see your result straight away. With a traditional lottery such as a draw-based game, the outcome is decided at a fixed, announced moment when the draw takes place. This instant-result character is what sets scratchcards apart from games like the Staatsloterij or weekly Lotto draws.
How scratchcards work in the Netherlands
Krasloten are organised by Lotto B.V. The tickets are produced by a certified printer, with the winning tickets, including those carrying top prizes, determined beforehand through a controlled process. This is designed so that no one knows where the top prizes are and every ticket has an equal chance within its print run. The published win chance and payout percentage are intended to hold during the sales period.
Where you can buy scratchcards
Physical scratchcards are sold through shops, supermarkets, tobacconists and other retail outlets across the country, all under the Lotto B.V. licence. Tickets can also be ordered through the official channels operated by Nederlandse Loterij. Buyers must be 18 or older.
Most popular Dutch Scratchcards
24 Karaat Cash – scratchcard with a gold/“24 carat” branding.
Klavertje 4 – clover-themed scratchcard, one of the most popular Dutch scratchcards.
Zilvervloot – themed around savings/“Zilvervloot”.
Kras Kado – gift-style scratchcard.
50x Cash – multiplier-style scratchcard.
100x Cash – higher multiplier version in the same family.
Other titles “and many more” listed on the Nederlandse Loterij krasloten overview page.
Payout and how the outcome is set
Because the outcome depends entirely on chance and is fixed at printing, you cannot influence whether a ticket wins. By law, Lotto B.V. must pay out at least 47.5% of the total amount staked through scratchcard sales over a calendar year as prizes, and this is checked by accountants. The operator pays out prize money even when not every top prize or other prize from a print run is claimed.
Laws and licensing around scratchcards
Scratchcards sit inside a tightly controlled licensing structure. Only one entity may offer them, and the rules are enforced by the national regulator.
The Dutch Gambling Act and article 14a
The Dutch Gambling Act defines instant lotteries in article 14a. Scratchcards fall squarely within that definition, which is why they are treated differently from promotional prize games or other lottery formats.
The role of Lotto B.V. and Nederlandse Loterij
Lotto B.V., part of the state-owned Nederlandse Loterij, holds the only Instant Lottery Licence in the Netherlands. That makes it the single legal provider of scratchcards. Offering scratchcards without this licence is not permitted.
Supervision by the Kansspelautoriteit
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) is the independent regulator that licenses, supervises and enforces the Dutch Gambling Act. Its broader policy work focuses on channelling players toward licensed, controlled options and on protecting players from gambling-related harm, with specific rules per product category.
Online scratchcards: what is and is not allowed
This is where the Dutch position differs from how many international sites frame the product. There is an important distinction between selling lottery tickets online and offering an online game where you scratch virtually.
The Council of State ruling on online instant lotteries
The Council of State, the highest administrative court in the Netherlands, ruled that the Dutch Gambling Act prohibits the offering of online lottery products in the form of online instant lotteries. Lottery tickets may be sold online, but the draw or the determination of the outcome must take place offline. In practice this means online scratchcards, where the scratching and result happen virtually, do not fit within the current Instant Lottery Licence.
Selling tickets online versus scratching online
Ordering physical krasloten through official online channels is allowed. What is not permitted is a digital product where the win is generated and revealed online. The line sits at where the outcome is determined: it must happen offline.
Foreign operators and risks for Dutch players
Some international gambling sites promote online scratchcards to Dutch audiences, often under foreign licences. Because this product type does not fit within the Dutch licensing structure, players using such sites are outside Dutch supervision. That can make it harder to resolve complaints and leaves players without the protections that apply to licensed products.
Popularity and use of scratchcards
Offline gambling still accounts for a large share of participation in the Netherlands. In 2024, 64% of Dutch people aged 16 and over gambled offline, with lotteries the most popular form. Scratchcards were used by 21% of offline gamblers. By comparison, 10% of Dutch people aged 16 and over gambled online in 2024, which underlines how significant offline products such as krasloten remain.
Responsible play with scratchcards
Scratchcards are games of pure chance, and their instant-reward character can contribute to gambling problems. Treating them as paid entertainment rather than a way to make money is the safer approach.
Risks of instant-win games
The fast feedback of an instant result can encourage repeated play. There is no skill involved and no way to improve your odds, so spending more does not change your underlying chance per ticket.
Signs of problem gambling and where to get help
Spending more than you planned, chasing losses, or feeling unable to stop are signals worth taking seriously. If gambling is causing problems for you or someone close to you, support is available.
Worth knowing
- Offered legally by a single licensed operator under KSA supervision
- Minimum payout level set in law and checked by accountants
- Result is fixed in advance, so every ticket has an equal chance within its run
- Widely available through retail outlets
Points of caution
- Pure chance, with no way to influence the outcome
- Instant-reward format can encourage repeated play
- Online scratchcards from foreign operators fall outside Dutch protection
- Restricted to players aged 18 and over
Related pages
- More about lotteries in the Netherlands
- Holland Casino and the Dutch gambling framework
- The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA)
Frequently asked questions about scratchcards in the Netherlands
Are online scratchcards legal in the Netherlands?
No. The Council of State ruled that offering online instant lotteries is not permitted under the current Dutch Gambling Act. Lottery tickets may be sold online, but the outcome must be determined offline, so virtual scratching does not fit within the licence.
Who is licensed to offer scratchcards in the Netherlands?
Lotto B.V., part of the state-owned Nederlandse Loterij, holds the only Instant Lottery Licence and is the single legal provider of scratchcards.
Where can I buy scratchcards in the Netherlands?
Physical krasloten are sold through shops, supermarkets, tobacconists and other retail outlets, and can also be ordered through the official Nederlandse Loterij channels. You must be 18 or older.
Can shops organise their own scratchcard promotions?
Promotional prize games are subject to strict rules, and using instant tickets such as scratchcards as part of a retail promotion without the proper licence is restricted.
What is the difference between scratchcards and Lotto or the Staatsloterij?
Scratchcards are instant lotteries: the result is fixed in advance and revealed the moment you scratch. Lotto and the Staatsloterij are draw-based, with the outcome decided at a fixed, announced moment.
How do I know if I have a problem with scratchcards?
Warning signs include spending more than you intended, chasing losses, and finding it hard to stop. If that sounds familiar, it is worth seeking support and treating the activity as paid entertainment rather than income.
This page is for information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Gambling involves risk and is restricted to players aged 18 and over. If gambling is causing you difficulty, seek professional support.
