The chances of winning the jackpot offered by the Oz Lotto are set to become even smaller for Australians following some changes brought to the game by the Victorian Government.
Under an amendment brought by the state government to the Public Lottery Licence, two more balls are set to be added to Oz Lotto draws, Australians will see their chances of winning something actually increase, but the odds of generating a first-division win will be seriously reduced. The changes are set to come into effect as of May 11th.
Currently, Oz Lotto draws allow players to select 7 out of 45 numbers, with 2 additional numbers also drawn. Now, the amendment will change the matrix so that participants make their choice from 47 numbers, with 3 supplementary numbers set to be drawn. As mentioned above, this will increase the odds of winning any prize from 1 in 55 to 1 in 50 but the odds of winning the first-division prize will go from 1 in 45.3 million to 1 in 62.8 million.
The change that is brought to the Public Lottery Licence by the Government of the state of Victoria will affect Oz Lotto participants in all Australian states and territories.
Two Extra Numbers to Be Added to Oz Lotto Draws as of May 11th
The Victorian Government defended its decision, saying that the change would create more chances of winning, considering the increase in the likelihood of hitting large jackpots. However, Steph Ryan, who is the spokesperson for gaming of the opposition, described the move as an undisguised effort aimed only at generating more revenue, because bigger jackpots provide bigger tax revenue for the state.
Ms Ryan explained that by the addition of 2 extra numbers to the Oz Lotto, the Victorian Government was making sure that would be harder for players to win, which would lead to bigger jackpots. And bigger jackpots mean bigger ticket sales, and larger tax revenue, respectively. She criticised the Andrews government for making what she called “another desperate grab for cash” aimed at helping the authorities fill in the hole in its budget.
According to the figures included in the 2021/2022 budget update that was officially released in December last year, public lottery taxes received by the state of Victoria in the financial year were worth AU$599 million. The final figure exceeded the preliminary projections with about $15 million. The public lottery tax revenue of the state is expected to reach AU$624 million in the 2022/2023 fiscal year, AU$640 million in 2023/2024, and almost AU$660 million in the 2024/2025 financial year.
For the time being, the main part of the gambling tax revenue is used as funding for various community organisations, programs aimed at tackling gambling addiction, mental health services, etc. The state also uses the money to fund the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.
The Andrews Government noted that the latest changes in its Oz Lotto policy were in line with measures taken in other states and territories, and the move would not affect the overall payout to players. Furthermore, changes also make it possible for a second Keno licence to be added and for Keno to become available online. According to the Victorian Government, the changes would not lead to an increase in problem gambling and gambling-related harm rates.
- Author
Olivia Cole
