O
That if they play enough, eventually they will win,
and win big! Truth is, this is just one of the
many myths associated with gambling, be it on
lottery, charitable bingo or casino games.
Let’s set the record straight.
LOTTERY
What are the odds of winning?
For LOTTO 6/49, your odds of winning any prize are approximately
CHARITABLE BINGO AND GAMING
1 in 32. Your chance of winning the top prize is approximately
1 in 14 million. For INSTANT tickets, odds vary by game. Odds of
winning a top prize typically range from about 1 in 1 million to
1 in 2.6 million.
CASINO GAMES AND SLOTS
Can you improve your odds of winning?
No. Your personal strategies or lucky rituals have no impact on the
final outcome of a game.
Are some lottery numbers drawn more often than others?
Lottery numbers are drawn randomly. Any number is just as likely
to be drawn as any other number.
Can buying new INSTANT tickets increase my odds of winning?
Buying new tickets cannot increase your odds of winnings. Winning
tickets are all printed and distributed randomly.
LOTTERY
CHARITABLE BINGO AND GAMING
Will playing in my lucky seat increase my odds of winning?
No lucky seat,CASINO
card, or charm
can help
you
win, and believing
GAMES
AND
SLOTS
luck is on your side can lead
to spending more money than
LOTTERY
initially intended.
If I keep playing, will I win my losses back?
games are based on the concept of
NGOAll charitable bingo CHARITABLE
BINGO AND GAMING
randomness, playing longer will not increase your odds of winning.
CASINO GAMES AND SLOTS
What are the odds of winning on a slot machine?
Payout odds for slot machines vary based on what machine you
play; winning the top prize on some games is approximately 1 in
5,000 spins, whereas winning the top prize on other games may
be as high as 1 in 16,000,000 spins.
What decides when the slot machine should pay out?
A computer chip generates random numbers which determine when
slot machines will pay out. These random numbers are constantly
generated at a rate of thousands per second. It is impossible to
predict which number will be generated, or the outcome of any spin.
If I play long enough on one machine, am I more likely to win?
No. The result of your last play or series of plays has absolutely
no bearing on what happens on your next play. Slots are never
“due for a win” and they don’t “go cold” after a win.
Do table games go on ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ streaks?
All table games are designed to produce random outcomes. A
win or streak of wins does not mean you will continue to win and
has no bearing on future outcomes.
Where can I find out more?
Know Your Limit, Play Within It
For more information about myths and facts and
to calculate the true costs of gambling, you can visit
OLG’s Responsible Gaming website
www.KnowYourLimit.ca
Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline
For the most up-to-date information about
problem gambling services call: 1-888-230-3505
knowyourlimit.ca
olg.ca