The Australian Monday Lotto game is a national lottery played in all of the states and territories of Australia. This weekly lottery actually began as something entirely different, and much smaller. Originally started in 1979, it was known as the New South Wales lottery, and of course, was only played in that region.
When Oz Lotto first appeared in 1994, several neighbouring states decided to accept it as their number one lottery. New South Wales wouldn’t accept the Oz Lotto until 2000, being the last state to sign up. Naturally this spelt disaster for the New South Wales, lottery, which expanded across states and soon became known as the Monday Lotto. It has also been called the X Lotto.
Since its foundation, the lottery has been played across several formats. Originally, the Monday Lotto (when it was known as the New South Wales Lotto), was played with 40 balls, before it was later extended to 44. Today, the lottery is played with 45 balls. The same is true of the bonus balls, with a second bonus ball only being added in 1990.
How to play the Monday Lotto
The Monday Lotto isn’t actually that different to Australia’s main Saturday night lottery game –the Oz Lotto. In total, six numbers are drawn from a pot of 45, as well as two bonus balls. Generally speaking, the prize for bagging all six numbers is AUD$1 million. On occasion, a Monday night may become a superdraw, where the prize pool rises to a total of AUD$5 million.
Prizes
In order to win a jackpot, players will need to have a total of six winning numbers. Prizes are organised into “divisions” in the Monday Lotto, with fixed prizes and non-fixed prizes varying between the divisions.
Each division represents a winning combination. If a player matches 1 ball plus two bonuses, they have won a seventh division prize, with 1 in 144 players winning this on average. Sixth, fifth and fourth division prizes are awarded for 2 balls and 2 bonuses, 3 balls and one bonus, and 4 balls, respectively.
If a player wins with 5 balls, they will pocket a third division prize. The chances of this occurring are roughly 1 in every 36,689. Winning with 5 balls and 1 bonus will hand players a second division prize, whilst matching all six numbers is worth the first division prize of AUD$1million. Players have roughly a 1 in 8,145,060 chance of success of winning the first division prize in Australia’s Monday Lotto game. This is actually quite favourable, considering the odds of winning the EuroMillions or the Mega Millions.
You’ll be delighted to hear that all winnings which are won on the Monday Lotto are tax-free.
Play the Monday Lotto on The Lotter
Australia’s Monday Lotto game is just one of nearly fifty major worldwide lotteries which you can play on The Lotter website. You do not have to be based in Australia in order to participate in the Monday Lotto, if you play via The Lotter.
To begin with, click on the Monday Lotto button and choose your numbers. You will then be charged as small fee, which is slightly larger than the normal AUD$0.50 cost of a ticket. This is to cover the handling charge. Players can purchase as many tickets as they wish, and copies of those tickets will then be sent to you via email.
If your numbers come up trumps, then The Lotter will pay out your winnings to you, with no commission or extra charge. What could be simpler?
And finally…
Australia’s Monday Lotto isn’t the country’s biggest lottery game, for that honour is held by the Oz Lotto. Yet, it still holds a very special place in the hearts of Australians, especially those located in New South Wales.
Although it is quite similar to the Saturday lotto, and your chance of success are virtually identical to those of the main game, it represents one of three weekly draws where you could potentially become a millionaire. Australia also runs a Wednesday Lotto, alongside their Monday Lotto and Oz Lotto games. Any one of these is perfect for players seeking to win a big jackpot. Due to the modest population in Australia, many players find that choosing to play the Monday Lotto over more popular lotteries such as the EuroMillions or Mega Millions, works in their favour.