Whether you are just interested in playing the lottery or you are ready to buy a ticket, there are several things you should know before you get started. These tips will help you win more often and avoid scams.
Common lottery numbers
Choosing the right lottery numbers for your lottery game can increase your chances of winning, or at least get you to the jackpot. You’ll want to know which numbers have the highest probability of winning, but how much do you know about the most common lottery numbers? You’ll also want to be on the lookout for the hot and cold numbers.
There are lots of different statistics and charts that you can use to figure out which numbers are most likely to be drawn. It’s not surprising that some numbers have been chosen more often than others. For example, the most commonly drawn lottery numbers are the birthdays and anniversaries of some people. These numbers often have a significant meaning to people.
Powerball jackpot surges to $1.6 billion
Ticket sales are soaring, and the Powerball jackpot is at an all time high. It is now estimated to be $1.6 billion, with the jackpot set to be the largest lottery prize in history.
The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, and no jackpot winner has won in more than three months. The prize has not been won in the last 41 drawings, which means that it will tie the game’s record for the longest period of time without a jackpot winner.
Multistate lotteries have different odds of winning
Depending on which lottery you choose to play, your chances of winning the jackpot are slim to none. If you are lucky enough to win, your payout may be in the millions. Those lucky enough to win the Powerball mega jackpot will be rewarded with a prize pool that starts at $40 million and increases in size each week until it reaches a staggering $1.586 billion on January 13th, 2016.
The multistate lottery industry has been around for decades and has a plethora of competition, but the big boys like the Powerball and MegaMillions remain the stalwarts of the industry. In the past, the biggest draw was the state-operated California Lottery, but thanks to the advent of the internet, there are now many more online options for consumers to choose from.
Office lottery pools are prohibited
Whether or not you’re involved in an office lottery pool, it’s not a bad idea to take a minute to consider your options. Among other things, you’ll want to know that the lottery is legal in your jurisdiction, and that you’re not violating any company policies by participating.
The best way to go about this is to consult with your human resources department. The biggest hazard to be aware of is that your employer may not approve of your participation, especially if you’re a government employee.
Scams
Thousands of people a day are targeted by lottery scams. These are frauds that use false claims of winnings to entice victims to send money to cover processing and other fees.
The scams work in several ways, such as mailing lottery material to recipients. This includes letters or circulars about a lottery, payments for tickets, or congratulatory notes.
The victim may be asked for personal information such as bank account numbers and credit card numbers. These details can be used to commit identity theft or blackmail attacks. Scammers may also use a third party to conceal their identity.