Myths & Facts

There are many common myths surrounding the play of lottery products. The following facts should help clarify many misconceptions.

Myth: There are “hot numbers” that are drawn more often than others.
Fact: Lottery draws are completely random, so there are no hot numbers. Every number has an equal chance of being drawn, so every set of lottery numbers has the same chance of winning.

Myth: Retailers know which tickets are winners, and they sell these tickets to friends, family or staff.
Fact: Through strict security procedures, the CT Lottery 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.

Myth: Players can control lottery outcomes by using various methods to forecast winning numbers.
Fact: Lottery results are completely random, so no one can control the outcome. It is impossible to predict a number beyond its overall probability of appearing among the winning numbers. A random guess has just as much chance at winning as playing birthdays, anniversary dates, or any personal system.

Myth: “Fresh” or newly arrived tickets are luckier than tickets from a previous week.
Fact: The probability of purchasing a winning ticket is the same over the lifespan of a lottery game. Unsold tickets from a previous week have the same chance of containing a winning ticket as newly delivered tickets.

Myth: It is possible for me to "chase" and recoup losses.
Fact: Lottery games are created to pay out less than they take in over time, so the more lottery tickets you purchase, the more likely you are to lose money. Think of lottery ticket play as a form of entertainment, not a way to invest or make money.
 
(Reprinted from information available on the Atlantic Lottery Corporation web site.)