CATAN and the Board Game Boom

Board games aren’t just back, they’re booming.

By Pollard Banknote

Published April 28, 2026

Over the past decade, board game brands have undergone a remarkable cultural and commercial resurgence, transforming from a niche hobby into a global entertainment force. This shift has created a powerful opportunity for lotteries: board game brands now represent some of the most valuable and versatile licensed properties available for instant tickets.

At the center of this resurgence is CATAN, one of the most influential, and fastest-growing, strategy games of the modern era. Its evolution from a breakout traditional tabletop hit to a global franchise reflects the broader shift in how consumers engage with board game brands today.

The New Relevance of Board Game Brands

The board game market has expanded dramatically, driven by a wave of innovation and the rise of strategy‑heavy titles like CATAN and Ticket to Ride. These games have reshaped the modern gaming landscape, appealing to consumers who crave depth, social connection, and immersive worlds.

Board games have also evolved far beyond the traditional tabletop game. Many have become multimedia franchises, extending into digital gaming, merchandise, and entertainment. CATAN itself is entering a new era of cultural visibility, with Netflix securing global rights to bring the fictional island to life through a slate of scripted, unscripted, live‑action, and animated projects. This kind of cross‑platform expansion only amplifies the brand’s reach and relevance.

CATAN also boasts a strong, in-person competitive scene. Its tournaments are very popular, and have a dedicated, growing community. Events range from local gatherings to national and international competitions, with top performers earning the opportunity to advance to world championship‑level play.

For lotteries, this resurgence translates into a powerful advantage. Board game‑themed instant tickets consistently perform well across the industry, making up the largest share of all launched licensed games. Recent insights from market research: board games represented 34% of licensed games launched since 2023.

When the gameplay on an instant ticket mirrors the feel of the original board game, players respond, and few brands offer more natural alignment than CATAN.

Why CATAN Is a Standout Licensed Property for Lottery

Among today’s leading board game brands, CATAN stands out as a uniquely powerful property for lottery combining global recognition, immersive gameplay, and a deeply engaged fanbase. Its blend of strategy, nostalgia, and modern fandom gives it broad cultural relevance, while its core audience of 18–35‑year‑olds aligns directly with the demographic lotteries are working hard to reach. This makes CATAN a natural bridge to younger players who value interactive, story‑driven experiences.

CATAN is more than a board game; it’s a global phenomenon. Since its debut in 1995, more than 45 million copies have been sold, and over 100 million people have played it. Today, an estimated 20 million active consumers engage with the brand across traditional tabletop, mobile, console, and online platforms. Its digital ecosystem continues to thrive, including 340,000 monthly active users on CATAN Universe.

This established digital ecosystem positions CATAN as an ideal pathway between physical instant tickets and digital extensions, unlocking new ways to engage players across platforms.

The brand’s staying power is undeniable. CATAN has earned multiple Game of the Year awards, inspired a passionate worldwide fanbase, and become a staple of modern pop culture. Its 30^th anniversary brought the release of a new sixth edition, an update designed to modernize the brand for today’s audiences while honoring its legacy.

The CATAN Collect & Win Digital Extension

CATAN also brings new dimension to the lottery category with a new Collect & Win concept that extends the brand experience across both physical and digital play.

One of CATAN’s greatest strengths is its gameplay loop: collecting resources, building structures, and strategizing your way to victory. These mechanics translate seamlessly into a collect-and-win format, making CATAN the ideal foundation for a new type of digital‑enhanced lottery experience.

The CATAN Collect & Win online 2^nd chance game extends the brand into a digital environment that mirrors the spirit of the original board game.

Here’s how it works:

• Players enter their non‑winning CATAN scratch ticket online

• Each play allows them to reveal five resource cards showing the classic CATAN resources – brick, wood, wool, wheat, and ore

• A completed row in the digital prize legend earns the player corresponding entries in the prize drawing

This structure creates a sense of progression and discovery that keeps players engaged beyond a single ticket. It’s a natural extension of CATAN’s gameplay DNA and a fresh opportunity for lotteries to bring new energy to the licensed game space.

A Grand Prize Trip Inspired by the Island of Catan

To elevate the program even further, the CATAN Collect & Win experience can culminate in a grand prize that brings the world of CATAN to life: an immersive island vacation inspired by the spirit of exploration and discovery that defines the game.

For one lucky winner, the island won’t just be a hex tile on a board, it will become a real destination they can walk on and explore firsthand. Beyond the experiential prize, lotteries can incorporate a wide range of additional rewards, including branded CATAN merchandise, to deepen engagement and strengthen their connection to the CATAN brand.

A New Era for Board Game Licensed Games

As board games continue their cultural ascent, their value as a licensed property for lottery only grows. CATAN, with its global recognition, passionate fanbase, and natural alignment with digital‑enhanced play, represents a next‑generation opportunity for lotteries.

The CATAN Collect & Win concept builds on the success of boardgame‑themed instant tickets while pushing the category forward by bridging physical and digital play, expanding demographic reach, and tapping into one of the most beloved strategy brands in the world.

For lotteries looking to innovate, engage younger players, and harness the influence of today’s tabletop culture, CATAN offers a uniquely compelling path forward.