Although smaller in prize money than the Oz Lotto, or Powerball Lotto; Australia’s Saturday Lotto is still one of the biggest, and most popular lottery games. The lottery is offered in all states and territories, and also goes by the name of the Tattslotto, Gold Lotto, X Lotto or Saturday Lotto in various parts of the country.
The lottery takes its name from the fact that it is conducted by Tattersall’s. The very first draw took place in June 1972, with an estimated prize of AUD$50,000. This lottery was also the first in the country.
Originally, the game was played with a total of 6 numbers being chosen from a total of 40. In 1985, this format was changed, to include up to 45 balls, which at the same time, decreased your chances of winning a prize. This was also the year that a bonus ball was added to the mix.
How to play the Australian Saturday Lotto
Today, the same 6 numbers out of 45 balls format is played, as in the mid-1980s. Since then, the competition hasn’t changed much, though the prizes have got larger over time. Several times a year, players can compete in “super draws” which offer far larger prizes than normally available. Players are requested to choose 6 numbers on their ticket, and the Saturday Lotto is unique in that players must purchase a ticket for a minimum of two games at a time.
Prizes
Like all Australian lotteries, prizes are sorted out into divisions. The Saturday Lotto has a fixed first division prize worth AUD$4 million, every week. The exception to this rule is when there are super draws, which can be worth AUD$20 million or AUD$30 million. If there is no first division winner, the jackpot can roll over to be worth AUD$8 million. In order to land that first division prize, a player must land all 6 winning numbers on their ticket. Your chances of success in the Saturday Lotto are approximately 1 in 8 million.
Winning with 5 numbers and a bonus will see players pocket a second division prize, whilst third division prizes are available for players with just the five numbers. At odds of 1 in 36,689, the chances are decent that you can win a third division prize.
Fourth and fifth division prizes require players to land either 4 balls, or 3 balls and a bonus (or two bonuses), respectively. Sixth division prizes can be won with 2 numbers, or 1 number and 2 bonuses. You have a 1 in 144 chance of doing this successfully.
Lotto Atlas recommends playing the Saturday Lotto on The Lotter
Even though you don’t live in Australia, you can still play the Saturday Lotto. Lotto Atlas recommends that you join the online lottery website, The Lotter. This website allows you to purchase tickets to any major lottery in the world, including the Australian Saturday Lotto.
Tickets cost slightly more than the $0.60 cost in Australia, due to a small handling fee, but your tickets will be scanned and mailed to you. Should you win, your winnings will be deposited into your Lotter account, where you can cash them out to your bank account.
And finally…
This lottery is well worth a look. Although the prizes tend to be rather smaller in stature than other major Australian lotteries, your chances of success are really very good. Prizes can vary from AUD$14 up to AUD$2 million or more if you’re lucky. Because it is one of Australia’s smaller jackpots, lots of players often overlook this value of this exciting lottery game.