Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about how we rank lotteries.
What does the value score mean?
It is the expected return per dollar (in cents) spent on each lottery. If the value score is 50, our algorithms predict that on average every dollar spent will return 50 cents. The higher the score, the better the expected return and value-for-money. The Jackpot Value / Total Value toggle lets you switch between analysing just the jackpot return and the total return including other divisions.
How is the Jackpot Value score calculated?
Three steps: (1) We multiply the odds to win the jackpot by the cost per game — this gives the odds per dollar spent, making different-priced lotteries comparable. (2) We divide the jackpot by the expected number of winners who will share it, based on historical trends — bigger jackpots attract more buyers, increasing the chance of sharing. (3) We divide the estimated per-winner prize by the per-dollar odds. The result is the expected jackpot return per dollar spent.
How is the Total Value score calculated?
We add the Jackpot Value score to the expected return from all other prize divisions. Each lottery allocates a percentage of ticket sales to each division’s prize pool. Our algorithm combines these allocations with the per-dollar odds of winning each division, then calibrates against a long history of actual results to align theory with practice.
What is the difference between Jackpot Value and Total Value?
Jackpot Value only considers the first division (jackpot) prize. Total Value adds in the expected return from all other prize divisions (second division, third division, etc.). Total Value gives a more complete picture but the jackpot is usually what drives the biggest swings in value.
What are expected jackpot shares?
When a lottery jackpot gets very large, more people buy tickets, which increases the chance of multiple winners sharing the prize. We estimate how many winners are likely based on historical data. For example, Powerball jackpots under $90 million typically have 1 winner, but above $140 million there are often 3 or more. Raffle-style lotteries like Dream Home Art Union and Yourtown always have exactly 1 winner.
Can I adjust the expected shares?
Yes. Tap any lottery row to expand its details. You’ll see +/- buttons to adjust the expected shares, and the value score will recalculate instantly. This lets you see how the value changes under different sharing scenarios.
How often is the data updated?
Lotteries sourced from The Lott (Powerball, Oz Lotto, Saturday Gold Lotto, Monday Lotto, Wednesday Lotto, Set for Life, Super 66, Lucky Lotteries) are updated automatically via their API. Dream Home Art Union and Yourtown are updated when their current draw closes for entries and a new draw is announced.
Why is Saturday Gold Lotto set to 4 shares?
Saturday Gold Lotto has much lower odds of winning (1 in 8.1 million) compared to Powerball or Oz Lotto, which means multiple winners are very common. Historical data shows an average of about 4 division one winners per draw, so we use 4 as the default.
How are Dream Home Art Union and Yourtown different from other lotteries?
They are raffle-style lotteries with a fixed number of tickets. There can only ever be one jackpot winner per draw. We assume all tickets are sold. Dream Home Art Union’s value score is based on the $100 book (which gives the best per-ticket price), while Yourtown is based on $15 per ticket (no bulk discounts).
Does Lotto Logic account for special bonus games or jackpots?
Yes. Wherever there is any potential material effect on the expected value scores, we build this into our algorithms. Bonus draws, guaranteed jackpots, and special promotions are all factored in.
Do you sell lottery tickets?
No, we do not sell lottery tickets. We are not associated with or connected to any lottery company. We are an independent analysis tool.
Does a higher value score mean I should buy that lottery?
Not necessarily. All lotteries have a negative expected return — you’ll always expect to lose money on average. The value score simply tells you which lottery gives you the least-worst odds for your dollar. This is mathematical analysis for entertainment purposes, not gambling advice.
Where does the data come from?
Jackpot amounts and draw numbers for most lotteries come from The Lott’s public data API. Odds, cost per game, and other division returns are derived from official lottery rules and historical analysis. Dream Home Art Union and Yourtown data is sourced from their respective websites.