A Beginner's Guide to Australian Lotteries
Welcome! If you're new to the exciting world of lotteries, you've come to the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started.
Your First Ticket: A 4-Step Journey
Playing the lottery is simple and fun. Here’s a breakdown of the entire process from start to finish.
Step 1: Choose Your Game
Australia has many lottery games, each with different rules, prizes, and odds. The most popular ones are:
- Lotto Games (e.g., Saturday Lotto, Oz Lotto): You pick a set of main numbers from a large pool.
- Powerball: You pick main numbers AND a special "Powerball" number from a separate pool. This usually leads to bigger jackpots.
- Set for Life: A unique game where the top prize is paid in installments over many years.
Not sure where to start? Our Game Explorer is the perfect place to compare them all.
Step 2: Pick Your Numbers
This is the fun part! You have two main options:
- Pick Your Own: Choose numbers that are meaningful to you, like birthdays or anniversaries.
- Quick Pick: Let the system randomly generate a set of numbers for you. Statistically, this is a great option as it avoids common number biases.
Step 3: Get Your Ticket
Once you've made your selections on our site, add them to your "Ticket Holder". When you're ready, you can submit a purchase request. We'll forward your request to a licensed lottery retailer who will contact you to finalize the purchase securely.
Step 4: Check the Results
After the draw, it's time to see if you've won! You can find the latest results in our Draw Archives. For the easiest method, use our Ticket Checker tool to get an instant answer.
The Golden Rule: Play Responsibly
The most important part of playing the lottery is to have fun and play safely. Treat it as entertainment, not a source of income, and never spend more than you can afford to lose. For more information, please read our Responsible Gaming guide.