In Australia, Tuesday nights have become closely associated with the exhilarating Oz Lotto draw, which takes place weekly at around 8:30 PM AEST.
Introduced in 1994 and touted as Australia’s first fully national lottery game, Oz Lotto has since captured the hearts and minds of Australians eager to test their luck and potentially win life-changing sums of money.
On May 17, 2022, the game underwent a significant change, altering the matrix from 7/45 to 7/47, along with the addition of an extra supplementary number.
How Oz Lotto Works
Oz Lotto is a simple lottery game that requires players to choose seven numbers from a pool of 1 to 47. During the draw, ten balls are selected at random, with the first seven numbers being the “winning numbers” and the last three numbers as the “supplementary numbers.” You need to match at least 3 numbers and 1 supplementary number to win the lowest Division prize.
To win the jackpot, a player must match all seven winning numbers.
Divisions and Prizes:
Oz Lotto in the updated format (since May 2022) features seven prize divisions, with varying odds and winnings:
- Division 1: Match all seven winning numbers (Jackpot)
- Division 2: Match six winning numbers and one supplementary number
- Division 3: Match six winning numbers
- Division 4: Match five winning numbers and one or both supplementary numbers
- Division 5: Match five winning numbers
- Division 6: Match four winning numbers
- Division 7: Match three winning numbers and one or both supplementary numbers
Odds of Winning
With the updated format, the odds of winning Oz Lotto vary depending on the prize division:
- Division 1: 1 in 62,891,499
- Division 2: 1 in 2,994,833
- Division 3: 1 in 242,824
- Division 4: 1 in 26,270
- Division 5: 1 in 4,497
- Division 6: 1 in 182
- Division 7: 1 in 71
While the odds of winning the jackpot have increased, Oz Lotto’s seven divisions still provide players with multiple opportunities to win smaller prizes.
Background
Oz Lotto was launched on February 26, 1994 by Tattersall’s (now part of the Tatts Group – at a time when New South Wales was not a part of the Australian Lotto Bloc) as the first national lottery game in Australia. Initially, the game required players to select six numbers from a pool of 45. However, in October 2005, the format was changed to the 7-number system, increasing the odds and jackpot sizes. On May 17, 2022, the game matrix was updated once again from 7/45 to 7/47, with an additional supplementary number.
The largest Oz Lotto jackpot to date occurred in November 2012, when four lucky winners shared a staggering AUD$111.97 million prize pool.
How to Play
Playing Oz Lotto is simple. Players can purchase tickets at authorized retailers or online through lottery websites and apps. When purchasing a ticket, players can either choose their own numbers or opt for a QuickPick, which generates a random set of numbers. Tickets can be bought up to a few hours before the draw.
With its straightforward rules, multiple prize divisions, Oz Lotto continues to be a popular and thrilling game for Australians from all walks of life, despite the recent changes to its format.
Responsible Playing
Please remember that playing the lottery should always be an enjoyable and fun activity. We encourage players to practice responsible gaming by setting limits, playing within their means, and seeking help if gambling becomes a problem. Remember, lottery games are a form of entertainment, and should never be seen as a means to solve financial difficulties. If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, please seek assistance from a qualified professional or a support organization. Free and confidential support and counselling services are available 24/7 by calling Helpline on 1800 858 858. Funded as part of an agreement between all State and Territory Governments and the Australian Government, the service provides Australians with a new opportunity to access counselling and information services when they are unable or reluctant to access face-to-face services provided in each jurisdiction.
