Which Australian Lottery Has the Best Odds?
All Australian lottery games ranked by Division 1 odds, from easiest to hardest to win. Compare odds, formats, costs, and jackpot sizes to find the best game for your playing style.
Complete Odds Ranking (Division 1)
| Rank | Game | Format | Div 1 Odds | Any Prize Odds | Cost | Jackpot Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Lucky Lotteries | Ticket-based (pre-assigned) | 1 in 2,700,000 | Varies | $2.00-$5.00/ticket | $2M - $4M+ |
| #2 | The Pools | 6 from 38 | 1 in 2,760,681 | ~1 in 55 | $2.50/game | $50K+ |
| #3 | Saturday Lotto | 6 from 45 + 2 supps | 1 in 8,145,060 | ~1 in 85 | $1.25/game | $4M - $30M |
| #4 | Monday Lotto | 6 from 45 + 2 supps | 1 in 8,145,060 | ~1 in 85 | $1.15/game | $1M guaranteed |
| #5 | Wednesday Lotto | 6 from 45 + 2 supps | 1 in 8,145,060 | ~1 in 85 | $1.15/game | $1M guaranteed |
| #6 | Set for Life | 8 from 37 + 2 Life Numbers (1-10) | 1 in 38,608,020 | ~1 in 65 | $1.80/game | $20K/month for 20 years |
| #7 | Oz Lotto | 7 from 45 + 2 supps | 1 in 45,379,620 | ~1 in 55 | $1.35/game | $2M - $100M |
| #8 | Powerball | 7 from 35 + 1 Powerball (1-20) | 1 in 134,490,400 | ~1 in 44 | $1.35/game | $3M - $200M+ |
Relative Odds Visualisation
Shorter bars represent better (easier) odds. The bar length is proportional to the number of possible combinations.
How Lottery Odds Work
Lottery odds are determined by the total number of possible combinations of numbers that can be drawn. The more numbers you must match — and the larger the pool of numbers — the harder it is to win.
6/45 Games (Sat, Mon, Wed Lotto)
Pick 6 numbers from 45. The total combinations are "45 choose 6" = 8,145,060. So your odds of matching all 6 are 1 in 8,145,060.
Powerball (7/35 + 1/20)
Pick 7 from 35 (6,724,520 combinations) multiplied by the Powerball (20 options) = 134,490,400 total combinations.
Games with separate bonus pools (like Powerball) have much longer odds because you must match numbers from two independent pools. This is why Powerball has the hardest Division 1 odds despite using a smaller main number range (1-35) than Oz Lotto (1-45).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Australian lottery has the best odds of winning Division 1?
Lucky Lotteries has the best Division 1 odds at approximately 1 in 2,700,000. The Pools is a close second at 1 in 2,760,681. However, these games offer smaller jackpots compared to Powerball or Oz Lotto.
Which Australian lottery has the best odds of winning any prize?
Powerball has the best overall any-prize odds at approximately 1 in 44, thanks to its 9 prize divisions. This means roughly 1 in every 44 Powerball entries wins something, though most prizes are small amounts.
Is it better to play a lottery with good odds or big jackpots?
It depends on your goal. If you want the most realistic chance of winning a top prize, games like The Pools or the 6/45 Lottos (Saturday, Monday, Wednesday) offer better Division 1 odds. If you want to chase the absolute largest prizes, Powerball and Oz Lotto offer massive jackpots at longer odds. Many players balance both approaches.
How are lottery odds calculated in Australia?
Lottery odds are calculated using combinatorial mathematics. For a standard 6/45 game like Saturday Lotto, the number of possible combinations is "45 choose 6" which equals 8,145,060 — giving Division 1 odds of 1 in 8,145,060. Games with bonus numbers (like Powerball) multiply the main combinations by the bonus pool, significantly increasing the total possible outcomes.
Understanding Australian Lottery Odds
When choosing which Australian lottery to play, odds are one of the most important factors to consider. The odds of winning Division 1 vary enormously across the different games, from roughly 1 in 2.7 million for Lucky Lotteries to 1 in 134.5 million for Powerball. That's a 50-fold difference between the easiest and hardest top prizes to win.
Best Odds: Lucky Lotteries and The Pools
Lucky Lotteries tops the ranking with Division 1 odds of approximately 1 in 2,700,000. However, it's a unique ticket-based game exclusive to New South Wales, where each ticket has a pre-assigned number rather than player-chosen numbers. The Pools is the easiest traditional lottery to win, with odds of 1 in 2,760,681, though its jackpots are relatively modest starting around $50,000.
The Middle Ground: Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday Lotto
The three 6/45 format games — Saturday Lotto, Monday Lotto, and Wednesday Lotto — all share identical Division 1 odds of 1 in 8,145,060. These games offer a solid balance between achievable odds and meaningful jackpots. Saturday Lotto is the most popular, with guaranteed $4 million Division 1 pools and occasional Superdraws up to $30 million.
The Big Jackpot Games: Harder Odds, Bigger Rewards
At the other end of the spectrum, Set for Life (1 in 38.6M), Oz Lotto (1 in 45.4M), and Powerball (1 in 134.5M) have the longest odds but offer the largest prizes. Powerball regularly produces jackpots above $50 million and holds the Australian record at $200 million.
Odds vs Expected Value
Better odds don't always mean better value. A game with shorter odds but a small jackpot might offer lower expected returns than a game with longer odds but a massive jackpot. The key is to match your playing style — whether you prefer frequent smaller wins or rare life-changing prizes — with the right game. Use our odds calculator to explore the numbers in detail, or visit the Powerball vs Oz Lotto comparisonfor a deep dive into Australia's two biggest games.