Lotto Betting
Many punters prefer indulging in lotto betting through bookmakers instead of buying tickets for the actual games, as bettors can pick up improved payouts for matching fewer numbers while spending less money. The trade-off, however, is that you are not buying an actual lottery ticket and so you stand no chance of winning the jackpot.
You simply pick a set amount of numbers which you think will be randomly drawn in the actual game, and the bookmaker compares your bet with the official lottery results. If you picked three numbers on NY Lotto and they all came up in the draw, you’d win a prize – but not if you picked three and only two numbers appeared. Some sites also provide special markers, such as which ball will be drawn first in Irish Lotto, whether it will be odd or even or what the colour of the first ball might be.
Where to Bet on Lotteries
A number of sportsbooks provide lottery betting services, with Betfred, William Hill and Boylesports providing the widest range of options. Paddy Power has also launched a separate lottery betting section which looks promising.
Here are some of the best and most popular lotteries to bet on:
Irish Lotto Betting
There are two ways to bet on Irish Lotto draws, where six main balls from 1 to 47 are drawn followed by a Bonus Ball from the remaining numbers. The most common bet is on a six-ball game, where the numbers selected must come up in the main six balls. A seven-ball game includes the Bonus Ball, so that if you select one number and it comes up as the Bonus Ball, you still win. The odds in this instance are lower because there is a slightly better chance of winning.
The odds will be fixed as long as the matrix for the game remains unchanged, so it is easy to get involved as and when you like after you have studied the options. The following table shows an example of the odds that might be found on a standard six-ball game of Irish Lotto. Keep in mind that you must match all of the numbers in your selection in order to receive a payout:
| Number of Balls Selected | Odds (Based on £1 Bet) | Payout (Includes Stake) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ball | 6/1 | £7 |
| 2 Balls | 55/1 | £56 |
| 3 Balls | 610/1 | £611 |
| 4 Balls | 8,000/1 | £8,001 |
| 5 Balls | 150,000/1 | £150,001 |
The table shows that it is possible to select just one number and win £7 from a £1 bet, while selecting and matching five numbers will earn you 150,000 times your stake. In the actual Irish Lotto game, no prize is awarded for matching one or two numbers, and the prize for matching three numbers is typically worth around €9. This means that you can earn an even greater return by betting on the result of a draw. However, the bet becomes increasingly difficult to win as you select more numbers, meaning that your approach will depend on whether you are looking for more regular wins or you are going in search of a big payout at a low cost.
Bookies will always ensure that the odds remain in their favour; for example, the odds of selecting and matching one number are actually 1 in 7.83 on Irish Lotto, but the actually payout is 6/1. However, the flexibility of lotto betting and being able to control how much can be wagered will certainly appeal to many players. Purchasing actual Irish Lotto tickets costs a minimum of €4 as you must buy at least two lines, but betting on the results means that you can set your own limits as to how much you spend on the wager.
Daily Million Betting
Daily Million, another Irish offering, is another popular choice among fans of lottery betting as it offers reasonably good returns and is played daily. The regular game requires players to pick six main numbers between 1 and 39; when betting on the results, punters can win as much as 50,000 times their original stake if they pick and match five main numbers. You can also include the Bonus Ball, which improves the odds of winning but lowers the payout. Here is an example of what you could win in a normal game, based on a £1 bet:
| Number of Balls Selected | Odds (Based on £1 Bet) | Payout (Includes Stake) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ball | 5/1 | £6 |
| 2 Balls | 40/1 | £41 |
| 3 Balls | 375/1 | £376 |
| 4 Balls | 3,750/1 | £3,751 |
| 5 Balls | 50,000/1 | £50,001 |
Other Lotteries
Depending on the bookmaker, you can bet on a huge variety of lotteries from around the world. Markets are offered on everything from Greek Lotto to the Spanish La Primitiva game, and it’s entirely up to you as to which one you choose. Keep in mind that bookmakers will offer different odds, even on the same lottery, so make sure to do your research before making a deposit.
Pros and Cons of Lottery Betting
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You can stake as much or as little as you like | You stand no chance of winning the jackpot of the lottery in question |
| You can receive a better return than if you played the actual lottery | If you don’t match at least the number of balls you picked, you won’t win a prize |
| Special markets provide a bit of fun |