Myths and Facts about Gambling

There are many myths about the play of video lottery terminals and ticket lottery products. Here are the facts about many of these common misconceptions:

Myth - I have been playing the same machine for several hours. Shouldn’t it pay out?

Fact - No, there is no way to predict when a win will occur. As with all games of chance, the outcomes on a VLT are 100% random. Every spin has the exact same chance of being a winner, or loser, as the one before it and the one after it.

Myth - If I press the buttons in a certain order and shake the machine a little, my chances of winning increase. Works like a charm!

Fact - Nothing a player does can influence the outcome of a game. As with all games of chance, the outcomes on a VLT are 100% random. Each round of VLT play is determined by a random number generator that can’t, in any way, be influenced. There is absolutely nothing a player can do to impact when or how much a machine pays out.

Myth - If I play Lotto 6/49 regularly for many years, I'm bound to make a profit over time, right?

Fact - No, there’s no way to predict whether you will win or lose. The house always wins, so in the long run you will likely lose more than you win. You should always think of playing the lottery as a form of entertainment, not as a way to invest or make money.

Myth - I was only one number away from a big win – I was SO close! I really should keep on playing.

Fact - There’s no way to predict when a win will occur. Tickets that look like they were close to winning are no different from tickets that aren’t close at all: they’re both losing tickets. How you did on previous tickets has no effect on how you will do on the next ticket. The chances of winning remain the same every time you play.

Myth - Retailers must know which tickets are winners, so they sell these tickets to friends, family or staff?

Fact - Through strict security procedures, AL ensures that no one knows which lottery tickets are winners. This includes everyone from ticket designers and employees who produce tickets to distributors and retailers. Integrity and honesty are the cornerstones of the lottery and its operations.