In May 1974, scratch cards went on sale for the first time in the US State of Massachusetts.

Free giveaway and coupon games from stores had been commonplace across the USA during the 1950s and 60s – but players could easily cheat.

The mathematician John Koza was hired to make the games more secure; he succeeded in making the modern-day scratch card.

He’s told Johnny I’Anson how he convinced the state-run lotteries to use his invention to offer cash prizes.

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(Photo: The original scratch card. Credit: Massachusetts State Lottery)