Lottery Terms


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Wintrillions proudly presents the most extensive lottery terms glossary online. In here you will find short and accurate definitions to all lottery terms- from Powerball (the number) to Powerball (the game), from quickpick to draw.
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  • Additional Number / Powerball

    is a separate number that completes a lottery sequence and is selected in a separate grid on a betting slip. This number is pulled from a separate and distinct range of numbers than the initial series of numbers. Back to top

  • Adjacent Numbers

    these are numbers that appear in sequential order, such as the numbers 1 and 2. Adjacent numbers can frequently occur when lottery balls are drawn and announced. Back to top

  • Agent

    retail locations that sell lottery tickets are seen as lottery agents for the central lottery office that is in charge of the lottery. Agents are in charge of issuing lottery tickets, confirming winning tickets and collecting all monies. Back to top

  • Alerts

    are messages that you can receive in your email or on your cell phone when you sign up for certain notifications. Depending on your preferences, you can receive an alert with daily winning numbers or when jackpots reach certain levels.Back to top

  • ANN

    is an abbreviation for Announced Numbers or `Announcers.` These are numbers that help lottery players predict which numbers are more likely to be the winning numbers in a future drawing. Back to top

  • Announcers

    are numbers which tend to predict those that will be pulled at a subsequent lottery drawing. Many lottery players rely on these predictors when making their number selections. Back to top

  • Annuity

    is a payment option where jackpot winnings are paid to a lottery player typically over a term of 20 years, instead of as a one–time, lump sum payment. Back to top

  • Antipode Draw

    is a lotto drawing that contains extreme numbers. They are normally numbers that appear at either end of the number spectrum, such as a drawing with the following numbers: 1–2–3–46–47–48. Back to top

  • Any Order

    lottery player can win a jackpot if they have every single winning number, even if the numbers on his lottery ticket do not appear in the exact same order as they appeared in the lottery drawing.Back to top

  • AW

    an abbreviation for Abbreviated Wheel, which is a cheaper alternative to a `Full Wheel/FW`. A player purchases the minimum amount of tickets for combinations that will lead to multiple prizes when a certain amount of winning numbers are selected. Back to top

  • Beer

    a common drink that is used while waiting for a lottery drawing or celebrating a lottery win. A common phrase when purchasing the beverage is “Beer me.” Back to top

  • Bet

    is the process of a player entering themselves into a lottery game. It occurs when a lottery ticket is purchased by either filling out a betting slip or getting a Quick Pick. Back to top

  • Betting Slip

    the paper form that lottery players use to select their lottery numbers when they do not want to purchase a Quick Pick. Players choose their own numbers by filling in boxed grids. Back to top

  • Big

    also known as `The Big,` it represents a `Lottery Category` that sorts games from the biggest jackpot down to the smallest. Players who choose the first jackpot will participate in the lottery game with the highest jackpot. Back to top

  • Billing Details

    is a receipt or statement outlining the details of your betting transaction. It will outline your lottery purchase with items such as the lottery game entered into, the amount of tickets, and the ticket price.Back to top

  • Block

    betting slips contain blocks or boxes of numbers that need to be filled in so that a lottery ticket can be issued. Each paper form has numerous blocks of numbers.Back to top

  • Bonus / Bonus Money

    additional sums of money that are credited to a player’s account and which can be used for future ticket purchases. It is a credit that will reduce the amount of money a player will pay on a future purchase. Back to top

  • Bonus Ball

    is an additional ball that is drawn after all the initial set of balls has been picked. This allows lottery players to win secondary prizes, if they were not able to match all winning numbers.Back to top

  • Bonus Number

    also known as a ‘Bonus Ball.’ It is picked after the initial set of numbers, and allows a player to earn additional prizes for other number combinations. Back to top

  • Box

    this term is also known as a Break Open Ticket which refers to a cardboard ticket that reveals winning numbers when tabs are pulled or torn off. Back to top

  • Boxed Bet

    another word for ‘Any Order,’ which allows a lottery player to win the jackpot when their lottery ticket matches all of the winning numbers, no matter which order they have appeared in. It normally refers to a 3 or 4 digit number game. Back to top

  • Break Open

    also known as a ‘Box.’ A break open ticket allows a player to win specified prizes when box tabs are pulled or torn off to reveal winning numbers or symbols. Back to top

  • Bronze

    is a type of membership level that is reached after a player earns a predetermined amount of points or has spent a predetermined amount of money. Members are offered exclusive deals. Back to top

  • California Super Lotto

    is the state lottery of California, which oversees all of the variety of lottery games it offers to players. The lottery was established in 1984. Back to top

  • Cash Cow

    this is the winning prize of a lottery game. Those players who have matched all winning numbers announced during the lottery draw, will receive the declared jackpot. Back to top

  • Cash Option

    is also known as an ‘Annuity.’ A winning lottery prize is paid in several installments over a specified number of years, instead of in a one–time lump sum payment. Back to top

  • Category (Lottery Category)

    players can select to play a lottery game depending on how it ranks in a particular category. This option allows players to choose a game according to its ranking for a certain jackpot amount or by its cost–benefit ratio. Back to top

  • Category Subscription

    players may enroll into a selected lottery category for future daily or weekly drawings with their pre–selected lottery numbers. A lottery category allows players to play lotteries that meet a certain set of criteria or ranking, see ‘Category.’Back to top

  • Cold Numbers

    this represents numbers that tend to be the least successful during a certain period of time. Cold numbers vary from one drawing to the next.Back to top

  • Combo

    this is a method of betting on a 3 digit number so that all sequence combinations can be covered to increase a player’s chances of winning. Back to top

  • Coming Soon

    this phrase is used when winning numbers have yet to be displayed. It is removed and updated accordingly, when the winning numbers have been drawn and published. Back to top

  • Commission

    retail outlet locations are given a commission when a winning ticket is sold from their establishment. This is a form of incentive for retailers to offer lottery ticket purchases. Back to top

  • Confirmation Number

    a number that is assigned to your betting transaction that details your betting transaction with information such as the date and time processed and the actual bet that has been placed. Back to top

  • Confirmed

    This is the status that is shown when a bet is placed and approved. This means that the payment has been received and that the bet has been properly added to the drawing. Back to top

  • CVV Number

    this a 3 to 4 digit number found on the back of your credit card. This number is needed during the checkout process in order to verify that you are indeed the legal holder of the card.Back to top

  • Daily Game

    this game refers to daily lottery drawings which are popularly referred to in many states as the ‘Daily 3’ or the ‘Daily 4.’ This types of games provides winning numbers every day of the week.Back to top

  • Daily Games

    this term is also known as ‘Daily Game,’ and refers to lottery games that can be played every day. Many states have these types of games and they are usually called ‘Daily 3’ or ‘Daily 4.’ Back to top

  • Deleted

    this refers to a bet that has been refused due to an incomplete payment transaction. It means that your bet was not entered into the lottery drawing.Back to top

  • Discounts

    this represents the savings actually earned during promotional periods or sales for various lotteries. These discounts reduce the monies actually paid out to participate in these lottery drawings. Back to top

  • DN

    this is an abbreviation for a ‘Designated Number,` which is used in a lottery wheel. It is the number that is used to create the combinations that a player will purchase by means of lottery tickets. Back to top

  • Double

    this happens when a 3 or 4 digit number sequence has a winning number that shows up 2 times. For instance, you can see that the number 4 has come up 2 times in the following 3 digit number sequence: 3–4–4. Back to top

  • Double

    ouble – this happens when a 4 digit number sequence has two sets of the same winning number. In the sequence 1–7–7–1, the number 1 and the number 7 shows up two times. Back to top

  • Draw / Drawing

    this occurs when the winning numbers for a particular lottery game are selected at a predetermined time. Players then check to see if they have a winning ticket. Back to top

  • El Gordo de la Primitiva Lotto

    means the `Fat One` in Spanish. It is a lottery based out of Spain that has a 5 digit number sequence, along with a bonus ball. Back to top

  • EuroMillions Lottery

    this a lottery with multiple European countries as its participants. Each drawing is held on Friday nights and take place in Paris. It began in 2004. Back to top

  • Exact Order

    this is also known as a ‘Straight.’ It occurs when the winning numbers for a lottery ticket have to appear in the exact same order as they were drawn. Back to top

  • Exotic Numbers

    these are numbers that are infrequently drawn as winning numbers. They are unusual or uncommon numbers are therefore less likely to be chosen on a betting ticket. Back to top

  • Fixed Payouts

    many lottery games will have fixed prizes for each dollar played. This structured payout allows players to know exactly how much they will earn depending on the winning numbers and dollars played. Back to top

  • Florida Lotto

    is Florida`s state jackpot lottery game. It began in 1984 and is a 6 digit number game. Players can earn prizes with as little as 3 matching numbers. Back to top

  • France Lotto

    this is a 7 digit number game which includes a bonus ball, with drawings occurring on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This lotto was created in 1976. Back to top

  • Free Lotto

    this is a free of charge lottery game that allows players to win monetary prizes. These games are normally played by groups made up of multiple individual players. Winnings are paid out in virtual prizes.Back to top

  • FW

    an abbreviation for Full Wheel. Players purchase numerous tickets in order to get all combinations of a set of numbers. It significantly increases the chances of a player winning either the jackpot or multiple secondary prizes. Back to top

  • Gambling

    is a legalized form of betting on an uncertain outcome of a game. Locations offering gambling or lottery games must obtain a license from the state they are operating in. Back to top

  • Gaming

    this represents all the types of games that have been legalized for betting. Lotteries, football pools, casino gaming, and gaming machines, among others are examples. Back to top

  • Gold

    this is a type of exclusive or VIP membership level that is reached on a player’s account after a predetermined amount of points or cash paid has been reached. Back to top

  • Group

    individuals that play in a group and participate in group lottery games by pooling their money together to spread out the cost of game tickets. Any prizes which are earned, are then divided equally. Back to top

  • Group Member

    this is an individual player that plays within a group. A group member is entitled to their fair share if their group wins a lottery game. Back to top

  • Group Play

    this is the type of play that occurs when multiple individuals pool their monies together for a particular lottery bet. If a group is a winner, the proceeds are divided equally. Back to top

  • Hanging Ghost

    this is a number that is expected to be chosen during a lottery draw. If it is not selected, then it is expected to be picked for a future drawing. Back to top

  • Hints Hints

    this is a popular phrase invented by Dennis Bassboss that refers to a 3 digit number that is sure to come up in the next draw or play. Back to top

  • Hopper

    this is the contraption that houses all of the lottery balls. It continually is in motion in order to properly mix all of the balls for the best random selection. Back to top

  • Hot Numbers

    these types of numbers are the opposite of ‘Exotic Numbers.’ They are winning numbers that appear frequently during lottery drawings and are often selected by players, due to their popularity. Back to top

  • Instant Game

    this type of game is also known as a ‘Scratch–off Game.’ A player is required to remove the film that winning numbers have been coated in. Many people use a coin to remove the coating.Back to top

  • Jackpot

    this is largest prize a lottery game has to offer. If more than one player has the same winning numbers, then the jackpot is split accordingly. Jackpots with no winners are rolled over into the next lottery jackpot. Back to top

  • Keno

    this is a lottery game that involves approximately 20 winning numbers which are selected from a pool 80 possibilities. Players then select 3 to 10 numbers from a main field and win prizes based on the matching numbers they have.Back to top

  • Last Digit

    these are numbers with the same last digit or ending in them. For example, in the following sequence, each number ends in a zero: 10–20–30Back to top

  • LD

    this is an abbreviation for `Last Digit.` It refers to number sequences that all have the same last digit. The number zero is the same last digit for the numbers 10, 20 and 30. Back to top

  • Lottery

    is known as a game of chance, as opposed to a game of skill. In order to win a prize, players must be able to match a certain amount of winning numbers. Back to top

  • Lottery Category (Category)

    players can choose to participate in the lottery by category, rather than by a game. The lottery is played according to a particular ranking in a scale such as by cost–benefit ratio or by a jackpot level.Back to top

  • Lottery Draw

    it reveals the outcome of a particular lottery game. A draw occurs at a predetermined time and the process is audited by a reputable third party for compliance purposes. Back to top

  • Lottery or Lotto

    Lotto is the nickname for lottery and it refers to a game of chance where players select numbers in the hopes that they will be drawn in order to win prizes. Back to top

  • Lottery Wheel

    this refers to selecting a set of numbers that provides multiple number combinations. Players will buy multiple tickets in order to guarantee themselves a prize, as long as they have certain matching numbers. Back to top

  • Lotto 649

    this Canadian lottery game was created in 1982. It is a 6 digit number game which also has a bonus ball for secondary prizes. Back to top

  • Lotto Super 7

    this is a lottery game that is played in Canada, which is operated by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The games consists of a 7 digit sequence for numbers between 1 and 47. Back to top

  • Lucky Dip

    this is also known as a `Quick Pick.` It is an alternative to picking custom lottery numbers for a lottery game. Random numbers are generated from a computer for a player`s lottery ticket. Back to top

  • Lump Sum

    refers to when lottery jackpots are paid in a one–time, lump sum payment to the winning player(s). Unlike an `Annuity,` payments are not spread out over a term of years.Back to top

  • Max Lotto/Lotto Max

    this is a new Canadian lottery game that begins on September 25, 2009. It is a 7 digit game with numbers that are chose from a from a pool of 49. This game will replace the Lotto Super 7. Back to top

  • Mega Ball

    this ball will complete a sequence of numbers in order for a player to win a jackpot. It is selected from an entirely different pool of numbers than the initial sequence. Back to top

  • Mega Millions Lottery

    this lottery game is a multi–state lotto that is drawn on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It began in 1996, and has a 5 number sequence with a bonus ball. Back to top

  • Mega sena Lotto

    is Brazil`s largest lottery game which was created in 1990. This game`s drawings occur Wednesdays and Saturdays, when 6 unique 2–digit balls are picked as winners. Back to top

  • Money

    this is the major reason that players participate in lottery games. They purchase a lottery ticket for a chance to win a jackpot or other prizes. Back to top

  • Multi Draw

    this allows you to play your favorite numbers for a fixed amount of future lottery draws (5, 10, 25 or 52 consecutive lottos). Although each game must be paid in advance, a discount is offered. Back to top

  • Multi state lottery

    these type of lotteries allow residents of different states the opportunity to participate in the same lottery game, such as the Powerball and Mega Millions. Jackpots are normally higher for these types of lotteries. Back to top

  • MUSL

    this is an abbreviation for the `Multi State Lottery.` Residents from different states can participate in the same lottery game. The Powerball and Mega Millions are examples of MUSL`s. Back to top

  • My Numbers

    your account allows you to save the numbers that you play most often. Players can then automatically use them in future lottery games for their convenience. Back to top

  • N/A , Lottery Not Available

    this term appears when the jackpot value for the next lottery game has yet to be established. This will be promptly updated when it becomes available. Back to top

  • NASPL

    this is an abbreviation for the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries. This organization was founded in 1971 and represents over 52 lottery organizations. Back to top

  • Natural Selection

    this refers to a players selecting the numbers that they would like to play, as opposed to purchasing a Quick Pick in which the numbers are selected for them by a computer. Back to top

  • New York lottery

    this lotto is the second oldest government run lottery, which was created in 1967. This lottery has various types of lottery games and the majority of funds is used primarily for education. Back to top

  • Numbers game

    lottery winners are determined by a random selection of numbers. A player must match their numbers to those that are randomly selected at the time of the lottery draw in order to win. Back to top

  • OddsOdds

    this term represents your chances of winning the lottery. Each lottery game will list the odds of winning their jackpots and other runner–up prizes on the back of the lottery ticket. Back to top

  • OneoffitisOneoffitis

    this is the term commonly used to describe the occurrence of being `off` by one number. For example, if a winning number is 30, then you would have oneoffitis if you have 29 or 31. Back to top

  • OONOON

    this is an abbreviation for One Off Number which is similar to `Oneoffitis.` It refers to a player being off by only one number from the actual winning number.Back to top

  • OverdueOverdue

    these are numbers that have not been selected as winning numbers during a lottery draw for a very long time. Back to top

  • OWOW

    this is an abbreviation for Open Wheel which refers to a `Lottery Wheel` where players purchase multiple lottery tickets based on available number combinations from a set of numbers. Back to top

  • Oz LottoOz Lotto

    This lottery game is played throughout Australia. It consists of a 9 number sequence in which 7 digits are the base set of numbers and 2 digits are additional balls. Back to top

  • Payout

    this is the amount of money or prizes that a player earns when they have a winning lottery ticket for a certain combination of numbers. Back to top

  • Pick 3/Pick 4 Game

    these are the most common types of lottery games and are also known as `Daily 3` or `Daily 4.` These games are drawn everyday of the week. Back to top

  • Platinum

    this is the most exclusive membership level that an account holder can obtain, after reaching a predetermined point level or cash level. Special deals and offers are available to these members which other account holders do not have access to. Back to top

  • Play slip

    this is also known as a `Betting Slip.` It is a card with several boxes of numbers that players fill in to select their numbers for a particular lottery game. This slip is then converted into an official lottery ticket.Back to top

  • Powerball

    an additional number that completes a winning number sequence. This ball is drawn from a separate range of numbers than the initial set of numbers. Players select this ball in a separate area on the play slip. Back to top

  • Powerball Lottery

    this lottery game is played in a total of 30 states throughout the United States. It is governed by MSLA and it began in 1992. Players select 5 numbers and 1 additional number.Back to top

  • Powerball Lottery Australia

    this lottery game consists of a 5 digit base sequence as well as 1 additional number. Players can receive secondary prizes with as little as 3 matching numbers. Back to top

  • Price Limit

    this is a limit that you can set on your account which will not allow you to play lottery games that are more expensive than the established maximum value you have selected. Back to top

  • Prize Division

    this is also known as a `Payout.` It is a table that displays all possible prize values which are dependent upon different winning number combinations.Back to top

  • Prize Pool

    this represents the total amount of prizes that can be won during a particular lottery game. Players can view all available prizes prior to purchasing a ticket. Back to top

  • Processing

    this occurs when the lottery drawing results are still being processed, along with the winning betters. After processing is complete, winners` accounts are credited correspondingly. Back to top

  • QP

    this is an abbreviation for `Quick Pick.` Players allow a compute to randomly select their numbers for them in lieu of filling out a play slip.Back to top

  • Quick Pick

    players can opt to have a computer–generated ticket select their play numbers for them. Numbers are automatically chosen so that a betting slip is not used or filled out.Back to top

  • Real Money

    this represents the amount of money that you have in your account balance. Any of these available funds can be used for future lottery purchases. Back to top

  • REP

    this is an abbreviation for Repeating Number. These are numbers that re–occur during lottery drawings for particular lottery games and are commonly selected on betting slips. Back to top

  • Rollover

    this occurs when a jackpot has no winning players for the jackpot. The value of the jackpot is then rolled over and added onto the next lottery. Back to top

  • Root Sum

    is ascertained by adding up the values of all of the winning numbers. For example, the root sum of 01–20–09–42 is 9 (0+1+2+0+0+9+4+2 = 18; 1+8=9).Back to top

  • Scratch

    ff Game/Scratcher – this is also known as an `Instant Game.` A latex coating is taken off to reveal instant prizes and a player does not have to wait for a lottery drawing to find out if he/she has won. Back to top

  • Shift In The Draw

    this represents a dramatic change in drawn numbers for a lottery game. It could mean that cold numbers have begun to appear or that high numbers have changed to low numbers. Back to top

  • Smart

    this is a `Lottery Category` that sorts games by their cost–benefit ratios. Those with the best ratios are played. Some of the benefits include: odds, amount of the bet, and the potential tax liability. Back to top

  • Spoiler

    this is a number that a player felt that they should have picked, but never selected it. It was then drawn as a winning number in the lottery game. Back to top

  • Subscription

    signing up for a subscription allows you to automatically participate in a specific lottery game with your pre–selected numbers. It routinely enters a player into each future lottery.Back to top

  • Sum

    this lottery is played in Italy which was created in 1997. It is a 6 digit lottery game that costs 1 Euro per lottery ticket. Back to top

  • Super Enalotto

    this lottery is played in Italy which was created in 1997. It is a 6 digit lottery game that costs 1 Euro per lottery ticket. Back to top

  • Supplementary Number

    these are also known as `Bonus Numbers.` These numbers enable a player to win secondary or runner–up prizes when they do not have all of the winning numbers necessary to win the jackpot. Back to top

  • Terminal

    this is a lottery computer that retail locations have to process betting slips, issue Quick Picks and verify winning tickets. These terminals are hooked up to the central computers that are running the lottery game. Back to top

  • The Big

    this is a `Lottery Category` that sorts lottery games from the highest jackpot payout to the lowest. A player who selects this category will play to win the highest declared jackpot lottery games.Back to top

  • Ticket

    this is an official lottery paper that is issued after the purchase of a betting slip or Quick Pick. It is needed to confirm a player`s winning numbers and to collect any prizes or jackpots. Back to top

  • UK National Lottery

    this is the largest lottery that is operated in the United Kingdom. This lottery game allows players to have a minimum age of 16 years old. Many games require only 1 pound per play. Back to top

  • Underdrawn

    these are also known as `Cold Numbers.` They are lottery numbers that are hardly drawn over a certain period of time; they are uncommon and unusual. Back to top

  • VIP Club

    this is a reward program that is available to all account holders when they reach certain point or cash levels. This program offers its members exclusive deals and prizes. Back to top

  • Virgin

    this refers to a number or set of numbers that has never been drawn for a particular lottery game. These numbers are more common among lotteries with smaller number sequences. Back to top

  • Win Hunter

    is a free lottery analysis software created by Andrew Reed that helps players predict winning numbers for future lottery games. Players can then use these numbers on their betting slip. Back to top

  • Winner

    this is a lottery player that has either matched all winning numbers for the jackpot, or a qualifying number combination for a secondary prize. If there is more than 1 winner, then a jackpot is split accordingly. Back to top

  • WLA

    this abbreviation stands for the World Lottery Association. This organization helps to distribute lottery information and helps to set up ethical standards. Its members represent state lotteries. Back to top