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The Citizen
3 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
It's math! Here's why you're struggling to win the Lotto
Tonight's total estimated jackpot sits at R20 million - R9 million for PowerBall and R11 million for PowerBall Plus. According to the National Lottery, there are 20 358 520 different combinations that Lotto and PowerBall players can play when choosing six out of 52 numbers. The order in which the numbers are matched does not matter in relation to how they are selected. There is also a 1 in 42 375 200 chance of matching all six numbers to win the maximum jackpot. While some argue that winning the lottery is a matter of luck, a mathematician claims that players can increase their chances of being the lucky one by selecting numbers strategically. Tonight's total estimated jackpot sits at R20 million – R9 million for PowerBall and R11 million for PowerBall Plus. 'PowerBall players reducing their chances' According to mathematician Dr Nathan Reed, PowerBall players may be unknowingly reducing their chances of winning by selecting predictable number combinations. Reed suggests avoiding consecutive sequences. 'Sequences like 1-2-3-4-5 or 5-6-7-8-9 are surprisingly popular. While they seem unique, many players choose them, increasing the likelihood of shared jackpots,' says Reed. ALSO READ: Odd PowerBall numbers raise questions; no funny business says commission However, the 20 winners who shocked the country by matching these numbers would disagree. On 2 December 2020, the winning numbers of the PowerBall were 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 as the bonus number. According to Ithuba, 20 people played these numbers and shared the R119 million as a result. Ithuba said these sequences were common among players. It tweeted at the time: 'Congratulations to tonight's 20 winners of the PowerBall draw. These numbers may be unexpected, but we see many players opt to play these sequences.' 'Hot numbers' Reed told that there are 'hot' numbers that players should not rely solely on. 'Numbers such as 16, 23, and 48 are frequently drawn and thus commonly selected by players. Relying solely on these can lead to overlapping combinations.' However, again in 2020, a player walked away with R37 million in July after playing the same numbers for the past four years. His winning numbers were 6, 16, 23, 26, 33 and 48, with a bonus number of 7. 'I have been playing the same numbers for the past four years, not only for Lotto but for PowerBall and Daily Lotto,' he told Ithuba at the time. RELATED: 'Many players play these sequences,' says National Lottery amid social media uproar 'I wanted to play the quick pick selection because I thought I had been playing the same numbers for years and the maximum amount I had won was R1 200 in the daily lotto draw early this year, so I thought maybe it's time I changed my playing strategy. 'I asked the cashier for quick pick selection, but before I gave her the money, my gut told me that today might be the day I strike it lucky and opted to play the same numbers manually.' 'Random PowerBall numbers' Reed further suggests utilising the quick pick option. 'Random number generators can help eliminate personal biases, producing less predictable combinations and reducing the chance of sharing a prize,' he says. 'Many players fall into the trap of choosing numbers based on patterns, birthdays, or perceived 'lucky' numbers. These selections often overlap with others, increasing the chances of shared winnings. By adopting a more randomised approach, players can enhance their odds of securing the full jackpot.'
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
I found my mother's winning EuroMillions ticket three days after her death - it had a heartbreaking message inside
A grieving son who found his mother's winning lottery ticket three days after she died says he feels like it is her 'last final gift' to him. Liam Carter, 34, found the EuroMillions ticket folded inside an envelope, which his mother Anne and avid lottery player had heartbreakingly scrawled on the front 'Sat draw - don't forget!'. She died on April 16, aged 67, just two days before her winning numbers came up having played every week and 'never winning anything big in her life'. Mr Carter, originally from Hampshire but now living in Aberdeen, discovered the folded envelope inside her kitchen drawer, where his loving mother usually kept her tickets. 'She always said if she ever won, the money would be for me,' he said. 'And even though she never knew about this win, it really felt like something she left behind for me. Like one final gift.' The ticket had matched five main numbers — 20, 27, 35, 39 and 48 — just missing the two Lucky Stars, 03 and 08. It meant Anne had won a payout of £18,403. Mr Carter had almost ignored the ticket but said 'something told me to check'. 'I scanned it using the National Lottery app, and it said it was a winning ticket — but I'd have to call the lottery line,' he added He phoned the line last Saturday and 'just froze' when he was told of how much the winning ticket was worth. Mr Carter said: 'I must've gone quiet on the phone. It didn't feel real. She never won anything big in her life — and now this.' He added: 'She always said if she ever won, the money would be for me,' he said. 'And even though she never knew about this win, it really felt like something she left behind for me. Like one final gift.' He plans to use the money towards a deposit on a flat, something he says his mother always wanted him to achieve. A spokesperson from said: 'Liam's story shows that the lottery isn't just about money — it's about meaning. In this case, a forgotten ticket became something powerful and emotional. 'It's a reminder that even the smallest moments can carry the biggest impact.' In 2022, grandfather Andrew Gillion, 59, of North Lanarkshire, Scotland, died before learning he had won a share of a £7.9million Postcode Lottery jackpot. He had entered the draw before falling down the stairs while at a friend's house party on New Year's Eve the year before. The Scottish Water worker died suddenly on January 7, 2022, at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Glasgow, during an operation to take the pressure off his neck. After his death, a golden envelope was discovered at his home, revealing that he and everyone else on Shaw Crescent, in Wishaw, had won a share of £7.9m - which in his case amounted to £8,092. Mr Gillon's daughter Lisa Thomas, 32, said the winnings were like one last present from her father, who had told her: 'You won't be laughing when I win'. The mother-of-three told the Daily Record: 'When I got it confirmed, I felt absolutely devastated at first. 'I could just hear the excited phone call from him telling me he had won and I know his first thought would be to book us all a holiday. 'Now I still feel sad that he's not here to enjoy this with us, but I also feel some excitement for him and I'm sure he has had something to do with this. 'There's been so many 'signs' since he left us and I'm certain he is watching saying 'I told you so'.' Ms Thomas collected the £8,092 on her father's behalf and said at the time she would most likely use it for a holiday, which he would have wanted.
Scottish Sun
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I found winning EuroMillions lottery ticket that wasn't mine – but took home over £18,000 after cashing in prize
The situation goes to show the 'lottery isn't just about money — it's about meaning' LOTTO LUCK I found winning EuroMillions lottery ticket that wasn't mine – but took home over £18,000 after cashing in prize A SON found his mum's winning EuroMillions lottery ticket and cashed it in for £18,403. Liam Carter, 34, originally from Hampshire but living in Aberdeen, had been sorting through his mum's belongings, who sadly died three days prior. Advertisement 1 Liam said the event was like 'one final gift' from his late mum Credit: getty Anne, who died aged 67, usually kept lottery tickets in the kitchen drawer. While Liam sifted through the area, he came across a folded envelope. On it, Anne had written: "Sat draw - don't forget!" Although he was tempted to leave it, "something" told Liam to reconsider. Advertisement He said: "I scanned it using the National Lottery app, and it said it was a winning ticket — but I'd have to call the lottery line." Liam phoned the line last Saturday and was told his mother, who played the lottery every week, had matched five of the numbers from the draw and had only missed the missing stars. This meant she had won a payout of £18,403. Liam described his reaction. He said: "I just froze. Advertisement "I must've gone quiet on the phone. It didn't feel real. She never won anything big in her life — and now this." He added: "She always said if she ever won, the money would be for me. EuroMillions winner Adrian Bayford quits his £10 million Suffolk mansion 'to move near his ex Gillian' in Scotland "And even though she never knew about this win, it really felt like something she left behind for me. Like one final gift." Liam plans to put the money towards a deposit on a flat, something he says his mother always wanted him to do. Advertisement A spokesperson from said: "Liam's story shows that the lottery isn't just about money — it's about meaning. "In this case, a forgotten ticket became something powerful and emotional. "It's a reminder that even the smallest moments can carry the biggest impact." How to play in the EuroMillions To take part in the EuroMillions, pick five numbers from one to 50 and two lucky stars from one to 12. Advertisement You could also try a Lucky Dip for a random selection. Then choose to play on Tuesday or Thursday or both if you're feeling super lucky. Then select the amount of weeks you'd like to play. You can play up to seven lines of numbers and buy up to 10 play slips at a time. EuroMillions tickets can be bought online every day from 6am to 11pm but to play on a drawer day the ticket must be bought before 7.30pm. Advertisement
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I found winning EuroMillions lottery ticket that wasn't mine – but took home over £18,000 after cashing in prize
A SON found his mum's winning EuroMillions lottery ticket and cashed it in for £18,403. Liam Carter, 34, originally from Hampshire but living in Aberdeen, had been sorting through his mum's belongings, who sadly died three days prior. 1 Anne, who died aged 67, usually kept lottery tickets in the kitchen drawer. While Liam sifted through the area, he came across a folded envelope. On it, Anne had written: "Sat draw - don't forget!" Although he was tempted to leave it, "something" told Liam to reconsider. He said: "I scanned it using the National Lottery app, and it said it was a winning ticket — but I'd have to call the lottery line." Liam phoned the line last Saturday and was told his mother, who played the lottery every week, had matched five of the numbers from the draw and had only missed the missing stars. This meant she had won a payout of £18,403. Liam described his reaction. He said: "I just froze. "I must've gone quiet on the phone. It didn't feel real. She never won anything big in her life — and now this." He added: "She always said if she ever won, the money would be for me. EuroMillions winner Adrian Bayford quits his £10 million Suffolk mansion 'to move near his ex Gillian' in Scotland "And even though she never knew about this win, it really felt like something she left behind for me. Like one final gift." Liam plans to put the money towards a deposit on a flat, something he says his mother always wanted him to do. A spokesperson from said: "Liam's story shows that the lottery isn't just about money — it's about meaning. "In this case, a forgotten ticket became something powerful and emotional. "It's a reminder that even the smallest moments can carry the biggest impact." How to play in the EuroMillions To take part in the EuroMillions, pick five numbers from one to 50 and two lucky stars from one to 12. You could also try a Lucky Dip for a random selection. Then choose to play on Tuesday or Thursday or both if you're feeling super lucky. Then select the amount of weeks you'd like to play. You can play up to seven lines of numbers and buy up to 10 play slips at a time. EuroMillions tickets can be bought online every day from 6am to 11pm but to play on a drawer day the ticket must be bought before 7.30pm. EuroMillions prizes 5 Main Numbers plus 2 Lucky Stars: Jackpot 5 main numbers plus 1 Lucky Star: £130,554.30 5 Main Numbers: £13,561.20 4 Main Numbers plus 2 Lucky Stars: £844.70 4 Main Numbers plus 1 Lucky Star: £77.80 3 Main Numbers plus 2 Lucky Stars: £37.30 4 Main Numbers: £25.60 2 Main Numbers plus 2 Lucky Stars: £9.10 3 Main Numbers plus 1 Lucky Star: £7.30 3 Main Numbers: £6.00 1 Main Number plus 2 Lucky Stars: £4.30 2 Main Numbers plus 1 Lucky Star: £3.60 2 Main Numbers: £2.50 UK Millionaire Maker: £1,000,000
West Australian
24-04-2025
- General
- West Australian
Heartbreaking discovery as son finds mother's secret winning lotto ticket with a note attached after she died
Liam Carter, a 34-year-old in the UK was sorting through his mother possessions in Hampshire when he made a remarkable discovery. Anne, 67, had passed away, and Liam tasked with organising her belongings. Inside her kitchen drawer, where she usually kept her lottery tickets, Liam found a folded envelope. Written on the outside were the words: 'Sat draw - don't forget!' 'I nearly ignored it, but something told me to check,' Mr. Carter said. 'I scanned it using the National Lottery app, and it said it was a winning ticket, but I'd have to call the lottery line.' He called the line and was informed that his mother had matched five of the numbers from the EuroMillions draw, narrowly missing the missing stars. This meant she had won a payout of £18,403 ($A38,271). Mr. Carter recalled, 'I just froze. I must've gone quiet on the phone. It didn't feel real. She never won anything big in her life and now this.' He added, 'She always said if she ever won, the money would be for me. And even though she never knew about this win, it really felt like something she left behind for me. Like one final gift.' Now, Liam plans to use the money toward a deposit on a flat, something he knows his mother always wanted for him. A spokesperson from commented: 'Liam's story shows that the lottery isn't just about money it's about meaning. In this case, a forgotten ticket became something powerful and emotional.' They added, 'It's a reminder that even the smallest moments can carry the biggest impact.'
