Questions such as whether it is possible for 80 people to win the SA LOTTO jackpot, or whether there is a system which can guarantee a LOTTO win, what test draws are, and numerous others.
Draws without technology
Lotteries can be traced back centuries in history. However, when referring specifically to ‘Lotto’, it can be traced back to the 1950s in world appearance where it was known by different names, including ‘Toto-Lotto’, in Poland. During these times, lotto draws occurred manually and bet slips were pulled from a special machine. Balls only appeared in draws during the early 1970s.
Test draws
Trial draws are held before each Lotto ‘show’ and involves the process of checking that all systems and components are operating correctly. This served the purpose of ensuring that there are no mishaps and has no impact on the draw in which the winning numbers are published.
Lotto Systems – do they work?
This question has both a yes and no answer. Numbers are drawn at random and where some people may have won using systems, others may have played repeatedly without winning anything. Systems cannot guarantee a win as among the numbers which are chosen, depending on the lottery you are playing, you have to get a certain number correct, and the combinations are endless.
80 winners – March 1994
This relates to an international lottery, Big Lotto in Europe, but it is nonetheless a fun fact. There were 80 players who had the same set of numbers which were drawn, and the jackpot was split between them. Thus far, with the SA LOTTO, there is a predominant theme of one winner to every jackpot, with a few instances where there were more winners.
Most ticket sales
The highest record of sales, since the launch of the SA LOTTO, was for a draw which was held on February 15, 2003. Sales for this particular draw reached more than R107 million.
Sharing is caring
Approximately one in seven jackpot winners give around R1 million or more to a family member or friends which creates additional millionaires.
Different sets of balls as well as machines
Ithuba makes use of several sets of equipment for draws which may be used at random. Machines and balls which are used in a draw are announced, which further improves the integrity of SA LOTTO draws. This is done to dispel theories which state that it is possible to predict the outcome of a draw. However, there is no evidence that suggests that using different sets of machines or balls present different circumstances or a chance for a draw to be ‘rigged’ or cheated.
Origins of the name ‘Lottery’
Lotteries have transformed immensely since they were first launched in ancient history. It is, however, interesting to know where the name traces its origins to. ‘Lottery’ originates from the Dutch word ‘lot’, meaning fate while ‘Lotto’ traces its origins to Italian where the first post-Roman Empire lottery in Italy was held in 1449, in Milan.
