What Are The Odds Of Winning The Lottery?

Since its inception in November 1994, the number of National Lottery games has gradually increased. However, the Lotto draw is still the most-played Lottery draw. This involved players picking six numbers, with prizes being awarded to those who pick between three and six numbers which match those drawn by the machine.

The jackpot is awarded to players who pick six matching numbers. The odds of this occurring are 1 in 13,983,816, assuming that the drawing of the balls is completely random. Prizes are awarded first to those who match 3 balls, with the winners usually being given £10. After this the remaining prize fund is divided up between the other winners, with 52% of the fund being given to the jackpot winner(s). The odds of matching fewer than six balls are, of course, better than those of winning the jackpot. The chances of matching five balls and the bonus are 1 in 2,330,636; five balls is 1 in 55,492; four balls is 1 in 1,033 and three balls is 1 in 57.