The Loterie Nationale (National Lottery) has announced that scratch cards are celebrating their 40th anniversary in Luxembourg.
The Loterie Nationale launched its scratch card games, called "Rubbel", in Luxembourg in April 1985. The first Rubbel ticket was announced on 1 April, which reportedly sowed doubt among some who believed it to be an April Fool's joke. However, this initiative "quickly proved to be a real success, marking the beginning of an adventure that has lasted for 40 years", the Loterie Nationale added.
Over the past four decades, more than 300 million tickets have been sold and nearly €400 million has been won through these scratch cards.
Over the years, the Rubbel range has expanded: initially limited to the "Elo!" game, the offer has grown to no fewer than sixteen or seventeen different scratch card games, which are available simultaneously. The Loterie Nationale highlighted classics such as "Piccobello", as well as "The Cash family" and the "Année Magique" annuity games. Since 2008, the public has been able to play e-Rubbel games on the Loterie Nationale website.
Moreover, at the end of the year, players can look forward to the "Calendrier de décembre" ("December Calendar" - similar to an Advent Calendar) XXL Rubbel game. Priced at €15, this game offers players the chance to win up to €50,000.
The Loterie Nationale wished the "Rubbel family a long life" and expressed its hope that "the next 40 years will be just as prosperous", with proceeds continuing to be used to finance social, cultural, environmental and sporting projects in Luxembourg, through the Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte. Since 1945, the Loterie Nationale has generated €543 million in profits (all games combined), which have been entirely distributed to the Œuvre for its philanthropic missions.
