Australian Lottery Odds Calculator
Compare the odds of winning across all Australian lottery games. Understand your chances before you play.
| Game | Format | Div 1 Odds | Div 2 Odds | Any Prize | Divisions | Cost/Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powerball | 7/35 + 1/20 | 1 in 134,490,400 | 1 in 7,078,443 | 1 in 44 | 9 | $1.25 |
| Oz Lotto | 7/45 + 2 supp | 1 in 45,379,620 | 1 in 3,241,401 | 1 in 55 | 7 | $1.30 |
| Saturday Lotto | 6/45 + 2 supp | 1 in 8,145,060 | 1 in 678,755 | 1 in 85 | 6 | $0.75 |
| Monday Lotto | 6/45 + 2 supp | 1 in 8,145,060 | 1 in 678,755 | 1 in 85 | 6 | $0.65 |
| Wednesday Lotto | 6/45 + 2 supp | 1 in 8,145,060 | 1 in 678,755 | 1 in 85 | 6 | $0.65 |
| Set for Life | 8/37 + 2/10 | 1 in 38,608,020 | 1 in 4,823,503 | 1 in 50 | 8 | $1.50 |
| Lucky Lotteries (Mega) | Ticket-based | 1 in 2,700,000 | N/A | Varies | 5 | $5.50 |
| The Pools | 6/38 | 1 in 2,760,681 | 1 in 44,850 | 1 in 55 | 6 | $1.00 |
Division 1 Odds Comparison
Longer bars indicate harder-to-win games (longer odds)
Understanding Australian Lottery Odds
Lottery odds represent the probability of selecting the correct combination of numbers for a particular prize division. In Australian lotteries, odds are determined by the total number of possible combinations for each game format. A game that requires picking 6 numbers from 45 (like Saturday Lotto) has fewer total combinations than one requiring 7 numbers from 35 plus a Powerball from 20 (like Powerball), which is why Powerball has much longer odds but correspondingly larger jackpots.
How Lottery Odds Are Calculated
Lottery odds are calculated using combinatorial mathematics. For a game like Saturday Lotto (6 from 45), the number of possible combinations is C(45,6) = 8,145,060. This means there are over 8 million possible six-number combinations, giving you a 1 in 8,145,060 chance of matching all six numbers with a single game. For Powerball (7 from 35 plus 1 from 20), the calculation is C(35,7) x 20 = 134,490,400 possible combinations. The independent Powerball barrel multiplies the difficulty by 20.
Best Value Australian Lottery Games
When assessing value, consider both the odds and the cost per game. Monday Lotto and Wednesday Lotto offer the best combination at $0.65 per game with odds of 1 in 8,145,060 and a guaranteed $1 million prize. Saturday Lotto costs $0.75 with the same odds but a larger $4 million guaranteed prize pool. Powerball costs $1.25 with much longer odds but potential prizes exceeding $100 million. Lucky Lotteries offers comparatively short odds (1 in 2.7 million) but at a higher ticket price of $5.50.
Important Considerations
All lottery games are designed so that the expected return is less than the cost of playing. This means that statistically, you should expect to lose money over time. Lotteries should be treated as entertainment, not as an investment strategy. The odds of winning Division 1 in any Australian lottery are extremely long, and the purchase of lottery tickets should always be within your means. If you are concerned about gambling, contact Gambling Help on 1800 858 858.