Lotto FAQs
Taking part in any lotto draw can be a fun and rewarding experience, but occasionally you may have a question about the game you are playing. Whether you have a query about checking results, playing online or how much tax you will pay on winnings, you will find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below. For information on a specific lottery, visit the individual FAQs page of your chosen game.
Playing Lotteries Online
Lottery Tickets
Checking Results
Odds & Prizes
Rules/Regulations
Lottery Terminology
Can I play the lottery online?
Yes, you can take part in a wide variety of lottery games by using an online concierge such as the Lotter and WinTrillions, or betting service like Jackpot.com.
While you can play through theLotter from anywhere in the world, the other services restrict certain nations for licensing reasons; these are listed below:
Jackpot.com | WinTrillions |
---|---|
Australia | Italy |
Belgium | Netherlands |
Bulgaria | Russia |
Cyprus | Uruguay |
Czech Republic | |
Denmark | |
France | |
Greenland | |
Hong Kong | |
Israel | |
Italy | |
Malaysia | |
Poland | |
Romania | |
Singapore | |
Spain | |
Turkey | |
USA |
Play links on Super Lotto will direct you to the correct service based on your current location.
Back to TopHow do I play the lottery online?
To play online, first you must register an account with an online concierge or betting service.
You will be required to select your numbers before confirming and paying for your order. Once the draw has taken place, you will be contacted via email with details of the draw and how your numbers have performed. Any winnings are transferred directly into your online account.
Back to TopCan I play a lottery from a different country?
Yes. Playing online grants you access to some of the biggest and best lottery games in the world. Whether you want to take part in Powerball, EuroMillions or SuperEnalotto, playing online allows you to win huge prizes from anywhere in the world.
Back to TopAre online lotto services safe?
Playing online through a trusted operator such as Jackpot.com, theLotter or WinTrillions offers you a safe and secure environment in which to participate in lottery games from around the globe.
Back to TopWill some of my winnings be deducted?
Betting sites like Jackpot.com do not charge handling fees or withhold winnings, with only the cost of confirmed wagers being deducted from your account. Online concierge services add a handling fee on to the price of a ticket.
Back to TopWill I win the same prizes as I would if I bought a ticket?
Players using these services receive the same awards as winning official ticket holders in the country in which the lottery is based.
Back to TopDo lottery tickets expire?
Yes, all lottery tickets expire. Deadlines vary from game to game with claim periods usually ranging from 30 days to three years. Players are advised to check individual lotteries for claim deadline details.
Playing online eliminates the risk of missing out on a prize as any winnings are paid directly into your account.
Back to TopI have lost my ticket. What should I do?
Most lotteries are not responsible for lost or stolen lotto tickets. It is strongly advised to sign the back of your lotto ticket after you purchase it to protect yourself from loss or theft. In some jurisdictions, a lottery ticket is a bearer instrument, meaning that if you lost it without signing it and another person found it, they would be entitled to claim any winnings produced by the ticket.
To avoid losing your ticket, you can play online. As your ticket or number selection is securely stored online, there is no danger of you losing your playslip.
Back to TopThere’s a problem with my ticket. Can I get a refund?
If there is a problem with your ticket (e.g. wrong numbers, printing error, etc.) you must inform the cashier straight away. If you notice an issue after you have left the store, contact the official lottery provider for advice.
Back to TopWhy were there more numbers drawn than are on my ticket?
Some games feature a bonus numbers which can help increase the value of some non-jackpot prizes. These additional numbers aren’t printed on tickets because they come from the same pool as the main numbers. They help non-jackpot winners increase the value of one or more prizes.
For example, a UK Lotto ticket displays six numbers even though seven numbers are drawn in total. Anyone who has matched five of the main numbers can win a bigger prize if the sixth number on their ticket is the same as the Bonus Ball drawn after the main winning line.
Back to TopIs it possible to guarantee you’ll buy a winning ticket?
Lotteries are games of chance, therefore it is impossible to guarantee that you will buy the winning ticket. You could purchase every single number combination, however, this method usually costs more than the value of the jackpot.
There are certain methods which you can use to boost your odds though, visit our How to Improve Your Odds of Winning the Lottery page for more information.
Back to TopHow soon after the draw will results be available?
The speed at which results appear on the site varies between the games. However, the numbers for most games are available shortly after a draw has taken place. Visit the results page of a specific game to stay up to date with the latest numbers.
Back to TopHow do I know if I have won?
Super Lotto provides prize breakdowns for a wide range of lottery games; these detail the minimum amount of numbers required to claim a reward. To discover whether you are a winner, check your numbers by visiting the Results page and selecting your chosen lottery.
Back to TopWhy have the results changed?
Super Lotto makes every effort to provide the very latest lottery results as quickly and as accurately as possible. However, there are occasions when human error or technical difficulties prevent this from happening.
Back to TopWhy hasn’t prize information been announced yet?
When lottery draws takes place it takes some time for the jackpot amounts to be calculated and verified because often the exact amount depends on how many winners there have been. This can sometimes lead to delays in the numbers being released.
Back to TopWhy isn’t the jackpot amount announced at the same time as the results?
The jackpot total can only be fully determined once the number of winners in a draw are known. The jackpot total prior to most draws is an estimated amount and can fluctuate in the lead up to a draw.
Back to TopWhere can I find old lottery results?
Super Lotto provides a complete set of results for a wide number of lottery games from around the world. Visit the archive pages of your chosen game to access past results.
Back to TopWhy have the odds of winning changed?
Occasionally, some lottery organisers change game rules by adding or deducting numbers from ball pools. Such changes can affect the odds of winning prizes. Lotteries rarely change without warning, so keep an eye out on the News pages for game updates.
Back to TopI have won a prize. How do I claim it?
Claiming a prize depends on how and where you purchased your ticket.
If you played by purchasing a physical ticket, you can claim certain prizes from authorised retailers. Rewards above a certain amount must be redeemed from lottery claims offices.
If you played online, your winnings will be transferred directly into your account. For larger prizes, including jackpot amounts, the site’s customer services team will contact you to arrange payment.
Back to TopI have been paid the wrong prize amount. What do I do?
If you think that you have been paid the wrong prize amount, contact the website you played through or the lottery company which organises your game.
Back to TopWhat happens to unclaimed prizes?
Unfortunately, some lottery players do fail to claim their prize before the deadline. Should this happen, prizes are usually retained by the lottery organiser and used to increase prize funds, boost marketing or help charitable organisations and good causes.
Back to TopHow old do you have to be to play the lottery?
Lottery players must be over the age of 18, including those participating online. There are a number of exceptions to this rule, with UK players able to participate once they are 16 years of age, while some US states require players to be 21 or older. If you are underage and win a lottery prize, it will be declared void. For information on age restrictions, consult the individual rules of the lottery you would like to play.
Back to TopHow do I know that draws are really random?
Each lotto draw has machines or number generators tested by independent companies and adjudicators who supervise each draw to ensure that it is random, fair and honest. Each lotto draw is random and each number has the same chance of being dispensed from the machine or generator.
Back to TopCan I claim a prize from a different country?
No. As each country has its own lottery organiser, prizes must be claimed from the nation in which the ticket was originally purchased. A similar approach is taken in the US, where prizes must be claimed from the state in which the original ticket was bought.
If you play online through a concierge or betting site, you can claim your winnings from anywhere in the world. Should you be lucky enough to win a jackpot prize, you may be required to travel to the lottery’s headquarters to claim your reward.
Back to TopWill I have to pay tax on my winnings?
The rules on tax differ from country to country. For example, if you are playing the lotto in the UK or Australia, the winnings are tax-free, but if you’re playing a US game you will be subject to federal tax and sometimes a state tax depending on the state in which the ticket was purchased. For more details about tax rules in your nation, visit the Tax page.
Back to TopIf I win, can I remain anonymous?
In Europe, you can choose whether you stay anonymous or go public after winning a lottery jackpot. For players using concierge services, it may be possible to remain anonymous in certain circumstances even if it is not usually permitted.
In the US, players in most states will have to provide their name when claiming a prize, but there are some exceptions; these are listed below:
- Delaware
- Kansas
- Maryland
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- South Carolina
What is a Rollover?
A rollover is the process by which a game’s top prize increases in value if no players are able to match the numbers required to win the jackpot.
Back to TopWhat is a Quick Pick/Lucky Dip?
Selecting a Quick Pick or Lucky Dip when playing the lottery means that you receive a ticket with numbers which are randomly generated by a computer or terminal.
You can create your own Lucky Dip by using our online Random Number Generator.
Back to TopWhat is a Syndicate/Lottery Pool?
A syndicate is a group of players that have an agreement between them to play the lotto and share the prizes they win.
Back to TopWhat is a Concierge Service?
A service which purchases lottery tickets on behalf of an online player.
Simply register an account at a concierge service, pick your numbers and pay for your entry. Once you have confirmed your order, a representative in the country of your preferred game will purchase a ticket on your behalf and save a scanned copy into your player account.
Back to TopWhat is a Lottery Betting Service?
A website where players wager on the outcome of a lottery.
Lotto betting is a similar process to that of a concierge, but instead of a ticket being purchased on your behalf, you are placing a wager on the outcome of the draw. You will receive exactly the same amount of money as those playing with a physical ticket and the odds of winning remain exactly the same.
Back to TopWhat does Pari-mutual mean?
A prize total which is divided equally between winners.
EuroMillions is an example of a game with a pari-mutual prize fund. A percentage of the total prize pool is each draw is allocated to each prize tier, this amount is then split equally between all winners in that tier. This means that the prize you receive will be influenced by the total number of players and the number of players who matched the same amount of numbers as you.
Back to Top