Read this before you buy
Odds and limits
Lotteries are fun because the prize is huge and the ticket is cheap. The catch is the odds. Here they are, in plain numbers, with a few habits that keep playing cheap.
The odds, in plain numbers
| Prize | Odds | What has to happen |
|---|---|---|
| Powerball jackpot | 1 in 292,201,338 | 5 of 69, plus 1 of 26 |
| Pick 10 top prize | 1 in 8,911,711 | Match 10 of the 20 drawn from 80 |
| Numbers straight | 1 in 1,000 | 3 digits in exact order |
| Win 4 straight | 1 in 10,000 | 4 digits in exact order |
Set your limit before you play
- Pick a monthly amount you'd happily spend on a night out and stop there.
- Buy your tickets with money set aside for fun.
- Never chase a loss with a bigger buy.
- Never borrow to play.
- Syndicates split the cost and the prize, so agree the rules in writing first.
Signs the fun has run out
- Spending more than you planned.
- Hiding how much you play.
- Playing to win back what you lost.
- Feeling low after a draw.
Tools on the sites you use
Most regulated sites let you set a deposit limit or take a break, straight from your account settings.
Where to get help
NCPG, the National Council on Problem Gambling
ncpgambling.orgBeGambleAware
begambleaware.orgGambling Therapy
gamblingtherapy.orgGamblers Anonymous
gamblersanonymous.org
18+ only
Lucky-Lotto is for adults. You must be 18 or older, or older where local law sets a higher age, to play any game we write about.
Questions about this page? Say hello