Know Your Game - Statistics & Myths

Tips for Responsible Play 

• Set a limit in advance
• Balance gambling with other activities
• Gambling is for entertainment, not for making money
• Always take breaks while playing
• Only gamble with money you can afford to lose
• Never chase your losses

(Source: Responsible Gambling Forum)

Know your Odds  

We publish facts so that customers can make informed choices. Game rules and odds of winning are published on our website and on brochures available at all outlets. Customers can witness our lottery draws at our headquarters and from screens at selected outlets.

Customers must always keep in mind that lottery is a game of chance. No colour they wear or amount of luck they feel they have will change the odds of the game. Gambling outcomes are unpredictable.

(Source: Responsible Gambling Forum)

Myths Debunked

Myth: Continuous gambling will give good chances of winning
Truth: You are more likely to celebrate your 100th birthday (1 in 50) than win top prize at the jackpot machine (1 in 34,000,000).  You are more likely to be struck by lightning (1 in 240,000) than strike TOTO jackpot (1 in 14,000,000).

Myth: Some lottery outlets and some numbers are luckier than others
Truth: We provide statistics and history such as past winning numbers and outlets for information purposes only.  Every number has an equal chance of being drawn (eg. every 4D number has the same chance of 1 in 10,000), and it is regardless of where the ticket is purchased.  We do not endorse any statements, methods or systems which may encourage or imply a belief that a certain strategy or methodology may enhance the chances of winning.

Myth: Gambling is a way to make money
Truth: More often, gambling is a way to lose money. If you gamble, think of it as a kind of entertainment you have to pay for, just like a movie or dinner with friends. That can help you keep gambling in perspective, and if you end up winning some money now and then, it will be a nice treat instead of something you were depending on.

Myth: Knowing a game well increases your chances of winning
Truth:  Games such as poker and sports betting can benefit from extra knowledge, but you still cannot guess the outcome. You might think you are the best poker player around, but someone else may be better or have stronger cards. Your football team might have won the last two matches, but that does not mean they will win a third. Remember to always play it safe.

Myth: Compulsive gambling is just a financial problem.  It is not really a problem if the gambler can afford it
Truth: Compulsive gambling is an emotional problem that has financial consequences, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling (USA). Just because people have money to lose doesn’t mean that their actions are not problematic. Compulsive gambling typically interferes in all areas of the gambler’s life, including relationships with family and friends and work.

Myth: If I keep gambling, my luck will change and I will win back the money I have lost
Truth:  Each time you place a bet, the outcome is completely independent of the previous one. This means that the odds are no more in your favour on the tenth bet than they were on the first bet. Over time, the more you risk, the more you will lose.

Myth: Only irresponsible people become addicted to gambling

Truth: It is common for people to believe that those suffering from addictions are weak-willed and irresponsible. But anybody can become addicted to gambling, no matter how responsible they are. Once they become caught up in their addiction, gamblers may engage in irresponsible behaviours to maintain their addiction.