In 1974 the Massachusetts State Lottery launched the first instant game, a ticket with a coating you scratch off to see if you've won. Instant tickets became the biggest seller for many state lotteries.

They return less than they cost on average, often 60 to 70 cents per dollar, with frequent small wins that keep people buying.

💡 Why it made sense then

Players liked knowing at once instead of waiting for a weekly draw, and states earned more from more frequent sales.

🎮 In Journey Shares

The gas station sells three scratch tickets. Match three amounts to win; over many tickets you lose a third or more of what you spend.

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For learning only, not financial advice. Trading and investing always carry risk, including losing money, and past performance doesn't predict future results.