Note: *The following article is purely for fun. It is based on individual opinions and does not constitute advice. The drawing of lottery numbers is entirely random. Please always gamble responsibly. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Some like 'em hot! Others prefer them cold. But whatever the temperature - you can always rely on the lottery to churn out digital trends like no other!

If you're a numbers droid and like to pick your numbers based on the frequency they come out of the hat, then read on!

Note: *The following article is purely for fun. It is based on individual opinions and does not constitute advice. The drawing of lottery numbers is entirely random. Please always gamble responsibly. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

When it's not your day, it's not your day! A mantra that's fine for almost any other circumstance, but for one unfortunate couple of students from the UK that missed out on a £182million Euromillions jackpot due to a banking mishap, "it's not your day" feels like a gigantic understatement.

Rachel Kennedy and her boyfriend Liam McCrohan were over the moon when their regular numbers 6, 12, 22, 29, and 33, with Lucky Stars 6 and 11, rolled out of the Euromillions draw on Friday, February 26th. However, their glee turned to devastation when the tickets, usually debited automatically from Ms. Kennedy's online account, failed to go through due to lack of funds.

Note: *The following article is purely for fun. It is based on individual opinions and does not constitute advice. The drawing of lottery numbers is entirely random. Please always gamble responsibly. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

The previous 12 months have been traumatic and heartbreaking for many - but it has also brought out the best in people and communities.

Whether it's showing solidarity with our NHS workers, organising weekly pub quizzes over Zoom, or small businesses stepping up and offering free school meals to those that need them - we’ve seen how we can have each other's back in difficult times.

Note: *The following article is purely for fun. It is based on individual opinions and does not constitute advice. The drawing of lottery numbers is entirely random. Please always gamble responsibly. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

We published our review of the Betfred Lotto Pick 3 Match 3 TV advert recently (it got glowing reviews FYI). Now the CompareTheLotto squad is casting its judgment across the newest welcome free bet offer advert that's been blowing up across our screens lately.

Note: *The following article is purely for fun. It is based on individual opinions and does not constitute advice. The drawing of lottery numbers is entirely random. Please always gamble responsibly. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

A new advertising push from Betfred Lotto has been making waves on television sets around the United Kingdom and Ireland - but what is it all about? How does Betfred go about showcasing its Lotto product? Would the production values win awards?

Welcome to our breakdown of Betfred's newest Lotto advert.

Note: *The following article is purely for fun. It is based on individual opinions and does not constitute advice. The drawing of lottery numbers is entirely random. Please always gamble responsibly. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Sky Lotto is the free to play game where you can win £250,000 for free, or for 50p you can boost your winnings to £1,000,000.

On 5th Feb 2021, Sky Lotto announced the following to their customers:

We are writing to inform you that Sky Lotto will be closing this month.

Note: *The following article is purely for fun. It is based on individual opinions and does not constitute advice. The drawing of lottery numbers is entirely random. Please always gamble responsibly. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Duh-duh-duh-duhhhh (note to reader - please read phonetically while mimicking a trumpet for effect)...the winners from the 2021 ComparetheLotto.com Awards have been announced.

A select panel from Compare The Lotto and an amalgamation of user reviews helped compile the list of winners - on which were some familiar names to regular lotto players.

Let's run through them for you!

Note: *The following article is purely for fun. It is based on individual opinions and does not constitute advice. The drawing of lottery numbers is entirely random. Please always gamble responsibly. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

We all have those neighbours we think have all the luck. Great looks, flash car, designer clothes - they're the type of people you see on the street and wonder if they're a c-list celebrity you can't recognise or an ex-footballer who refuses to let go of the limelight.

Of course, it's possible that Brenda from down the road has been extra lucky. Recent research from Lottoland shows which areas of the country have been luckier than others.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

What can we look forward to in 2021?

From the world's biggest sporting events to the next big movie releases and everything in between - there is plenty to look forward to this year!

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

We hope you have a happy and safe 2021 - but also a responsible one!

Set daily, weekly, and monthly deposit and loss limits to control and budget your spending. You can also set session reminders, which will kick in once the time you set runs out.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

The winners of the massive El Gordo jackpot have been revealed!

Translated to the "Fat One" in English, the winning number from this year's Spanish Christmas Lottery was 72897 - which was announced via two singing children from San Ildefenso school as per the quirky tradition.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

The minimum legal age for playing the National Lottery and scratchcards is rising to 18 from October 2021, as a significant review kicks off into gambling laws to protect children and vulnerable people headed by culture secretary Oliver Dowden.

The new regulations will also see the sale of online lotto tickets banned to 16 and 17 year-olds in April 2021.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

There was quite a stir when Set For Life first came onto the lotto scene back in 2019! The new format rewards lucky players with a top prize of £10,000 every month for thirty years - a total of £3.6million - rather than a lump sum upfront.

Set For Life is just the latest of several new lotteries available to players - such as the Postcode Lottery, the Euromillions, and the Health Lottery. It's a far cry from when the only lotto available in Britain was the UK National Lottery back in the mid-1990s.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

The Euromillions lotto is responsible for some of the most staggering big-win stories of recent times - but its previous rollovers are in the shadow of this week's top prize, which now stands at an estimated €200million or £175 Million! The jackpot has been capped, which means it's the maximum amount a player can win and that if it goes unclaimed for another week, other prizes will be boosted!

If there is a lucky winner in the draw this Friday, it will eclipse the record €175million windfall for one lucky customer last year.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

A different kind of competition called Omaze has taken the world by storm, embracing a new era of the prize draw style lottery games.

Utilising the donations of influencers and brands, Omaze offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences and modern gadgets from leading companies, rather than cash as top prizes.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

A man who had been rushed to the hospital for an emergency heart operation awoke to two pieces of great news. Firstly, the operation had been a success. Secondly, his wife's lucky numbers on the 49's had scooped them a cool £25,000!

Peter Smith, a retired carpenter from Kent, was over the moon on hearing the news from spouse Winnie, just hours after having stents fitted in his heart.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Many of us know the feeling of missing out by one all too well! Whether it's a 100/1 football accumulator taken down by a last-minute equaliser or a bet on the horses, where an underdog steams up the straight to chin your horse on the line - it never feels nice!

However, missing by one on the lotto has to be the gold medal of close calls, particularly with the large odds for those that manage to land all the correct numbers. Betfred has a special Missed By One offer on its Irish Lotto, 49's, and Nifty Fifty draws, for just that occasion.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Online gambling has been an established entertainment option for the best part of two decades now. It continues to provide entertainment to most players, but there is a minority of players where gambling can manifest into a problem.

At ComparetheLotto.com we feel that Safer Gambling Week 2020 is a great opportunity to step back and ensure the core messages around keeping gambling safe are fully communicated.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

A bumper Betfred odds boost is live on some of the most popular lotto game markets now.

• The Irish Lotto is boosting its 3-ball market to 800/1 (from 700/1).
• The Nifty Fifty is boosting its 3-ball market to 900/1 (from 800/1).

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Betfred is getting into the swing of scary season with a frighteningly fang-tastic special offer on their Irish Lotto offering.

New & existing customers can boost their odds from 700/1 to a massive 800/1 when they bet on three balls - that's an industry-leading lotto price!

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

The Euromillions lotto is one of the world's most-played lotteries but is not as freely available as one would think when it comes to betting.

Almost all popular UK and Irish betting sites do not offer it as a betting option. Paddy Power Euromillions markets are nowhere to be found! William Hill and Ladbrokes? You can forget about it!

One Irish bookmaker, however, does offer it specifically for Irish customers! (Not available in the UK)

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

It's a fair question - and perhaps an understandable one for those that haven’t yet scooped a win. In this article, we'll examine why it is definitely possible to win while betting at Lottoland, and tell you about an incredible Welcome Offer for new customers to try them out.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Seasons change, the temperature cools, but the Irish Lotto reliably continues to select the hot lotto balls - every Wednesday and Saturday, 52 weeks a year!

With summer coming to a close, and the autumnal breeze sweeping through, we thought it would be apt to review the hottest and coldest numbers over the past few weeks.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

BetVictor - one of Britain's biggest bookmakers - has launched lottery betting on its website, broadening its online entertainment offering.

Unlike many of their competitors, the sports betting giants are giving their customers the opportunity to bet on jackpots, rather than the traditional fixed odds lotto betting you see at other UK sportsbooks. See our ways to play for more information on the difference between bet on jackpots and fixed odds lotteries.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Betfred's new numbers betting game, The Nifty Fifty, has been a roaring success in its first few months - but the creators aren't resting on their laurels.

The Betfred Nifty Fifty game now offers some unique and innovative specials that stand alone in a crowded market!

It used to be all about your favourite digits, but now Betfred is making it about the Great British flag's colours too - Red, White, and Blue!

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Lottoland are mixing up their acquisition offers to new customers with an incredible promotion on the world-famous Irish lottery.

Eligible new customers can get a fantastic discount on three line bets - with Lottoland reducing the cost from £6 to a mere £0.99.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Various news outlets are reporting the UK government will be raising the minimum age requirement for individuals to buy lottery tickets.

These reports come hot on the heels of Camelot - the company that operates the National Lottery - also intimating that the legal age will soon be changed.

Earlier in the year, the House Of Lords also voiced their support of raising the minimum age to 18.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Betfred and their owner, Fred Done, are no shrinking violets when it comes to advertising their latest and greatest services, but they have upped the stakes with their onscreen showcasing for their new numbers betting game Nifty Fifty.

The Betfred TV advert employs singing bingo balls with fantastical hairdos, backing clappers, swinging dancers, and a 50's inspired rock and roll tune fit for a foot tap. The action takes place in an old school dance hall, with a smoky haze, and it also subtitles the lyrics so you can sing along!

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Betfred owner Fred Done certainly knows a thing or two about PR. Indeed, he was the first man ever to pay out early on football bets... infamously paying out early on Manchester United to win the 1998 Premier League title when they were 11 points clear, only for Arsenal to overtake them and win the title by a point!

So, it should come as no surprise that he’s getting the name of Betfred’s new The Nifty Fifty numbers betting game out into the world, securing the naming rights for several big horse races. Indeed, on 11th July 2020, the “Play Nifty Fifty Exclusively at Betfred” Handicap at Ascot was certainly an eye-catching moment.

That has been followed up again at Ascot on 26th July 2020 with a race named the Betfred 'Nifty Fifty' Handicap. That proved a lucky race for Frankie Detorri on Tsar - and many punters who doubled him up on the record breaking Enable in the King George.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Betfred is one of the biggest online bookmakers in the world and is something of a British institution, having been founded in Salford by brothers Peter and Fred Done in 1967. These days, as well as a massive online presence, the brand runs over 1600 shops around the UK.

One of the reasons Betfred is so popular is due to the unique special offers it provides to players (such as Double Delight & Hat-Trick Heaven, plus it’s famous Goals Galore), as well as it’s massive range of products, which also incorporates a massive choice of lotto betting (Irish Lotto, Irish Daily Million) and numbers betting games (49’s, The Nifty Fifty)

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Doesn’t time fly?

It’s been over 50 days since The Nifty Fifty numbers betting game launched at Betfred and it’s already been a whirlwind adventure with one lucky player (who picked his numbers based on the birthdays of his four dogs!) even scooping up a £10,000 top prize!

At Compare The Lotto, we decided to celebrate in the nerdiest way possible… by conducting a statistical analysis of the Nifty Fifty results from the first 50 days (that’s 150 draws, due to there being three draws per day) in order to see if any patterns are emerging from the results – and we found some VERY intriguing facts!

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

The all-new Nifty Fifty numbers betting game at Betfred may not have been around for long, but it’s already created a big winner!

A Grandad from Durham was the lucky player, scooping up a whopping £10,000 prize from a £1 bet after matching four numbers when placing his bet in July.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

It seems to be all change over at the Health Lottery recently. Firstly, they launched a major site enhancement with the addition of Health Millions and then they announced the increased charity donation from 20.3% to 25.5%.

Let’s take a look at both announcements in a bit more detail...

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Nifty Fifty is a catchy term that has regularly popped up in modern culture. Indeed, most recently it made news after being revealed as the name of a new numbers betting game available at leading bookmaker, Betfred.

But Nifty Fifty has come to mean several different things too, over the years.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Have you ever wondered what the odds of winning the lottery are, what the biggest jackpot ever won was or even if anyone has ever won the lottery more than once?

Here we’ve compilated the ultimate list of the best and most interesting lottery statistics, covering lottos from around the world, including the National Lottery, EuroMillions, America’s lotteries and more.

Read on for some truly jaw-dropping lotto statistics...

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Approximately 70% of the UK population play the lottery - that’s a whopping 45 million people. It’s easy to see why so many of us love the lotto - it’s an opportunity to turn a tiny amount of money into a life changing sum. With the average UK National Lottery jackpot at approximately 10 million pounds it could give us the chance to travel the world and generally live out our dreams.

When it comes to engaging with lottery Jackpots from the UK we are spoilt for choice - there’s traditional lotteries, charity lotteries and ‘Bet On Jackpots’. Let’s look at what each of these are:

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Betfair has revolutionised the gambling industry since the company was launched shortly after the turn of the millennium.

Indeed, when it comes to sports betting, you’re unlikely to find better odds anywhere else.

Why?

Because Betfair isn’t your typical bookmaker, it is actually a betting exchange website.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

The Health Lottery and the National Lottery are two of the most popular lottery games in the UK. But the big question is: which provides players with the best chance of winning?

Here, we will dig deep into the numbers to see which lottery is best for you...

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Is BOTB good value? Spoiler alert: It’s not. Let us explain...

Firstly, we should say that BOTB is not a lottery. BOTB is a competition with a skillful element required - Spot The Ball. However, similar to a lottery, you have a small stake/entry cost for a small chance of winning a large jackpot/prize.

It’s fair to say that BOTB is huge - operating since 1999, listed on the stock exchange since 2006 and have given away £32M worth of cars. They currently operate three prize draws per week - weekly dream car, weekly lifestyle and midweek car.

Note: This review is based solely on the opinions of ComparetheLotto.com. Please be aware that odds, offers and features are constantly subject to change. Always check the operators sites for factual verification. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

Here at CompareTheLotto.com we’re big fans of the 49's lotto - great odds, great returns, lotteries drawn twice a day, the draw is televised in the local bookies and there are some great welcome offers from the online bookmakers.

Unfortunately, the 49’s lotto has been suspended since 23/03/20. This has meant less Lotto excitement on the days when the Irish Lotto isn’t drawn. Sure, there’s the Daily Million, however, 3 balls on the Daily Million is 400/1* - that’s significantly less than the 700/1* available on 3 balls for the 49’s.

Step up The Nifty Fifty.

Terms: 18+. Min stake €/£2. Min odds 1/2. First bet only. Register between 27/03/2020 00:00 BST and 01/05/2020 23:59 BST to qualify from selected partner links. Free bets expire in 7 days. One Free bet offer per customer, household and IP address only. Qualifying bet must be placed within 30 days of account opening. Cashed out bets won’t apply. Freebet stakes will not qualify for this offer. Free bets will not qualify for any other special offers. Payment method restrictions. Irish and UK customers only. View full terms & conditions

From the 21st April until the 1st May 2020 Boyle Sports are offering 3 free bets (credited together) when you bet 1 line on any lottery.

Boyle Sports are a large, reputable bookmaker that operates in both the UK and Ireland. When CompareTheLotto.com reviewed Boyle Sports they came out with a four out of five star rating...

We regret to inform you that lottery betting on the 49’s has been suspended. The operator behind the 49’s lotto announced the following today (23/03/20):

We are sorry but the 49’s products are suspended until further notice. We hope our staff and customers stay safe and we will be back as soon as it’s safe to operate - 49s.co.uk, 23/03/20

Although Betfred are currently equal best odds on the Irish Lottery for 3 balls they’ve decided to up the ante once again - from March 9th until April 4th they are boosting their Irish Lotto 3 balls odds to either 750/1 or 800/1 depending on which day you bet.

Betting on 3 balls on the Irish Lotto is one of the most popular lotto bets given it’s large returns and long history on the high street bookmakers across the UK and Ireland. Currently, you can bet on the Irish Lotto at six different major UK and Irish bookmakers. All six bookmakers set their own odds, despite the probability of winning obviously being exactly the same. This means it can pay to keep track of the best bookmaker to use. This is where CompareTheLotto.com comes in.

We all know the theory behind lottery syndicates - you and a group of mates play the lottery together and agree to divide any winnings by the number of people in the syndicate - simple and effective. According to the UK National Lottery 1 in 6 lottery wins are through syndicates.

These days to save you the hassle of organising your own syndicate agreement and chasing your mates for money, companies in the UK such as Lotto Social and Wshful let you join syndicates online. These companies claim to offer you the chance to “increase your chances of winning” on lotteries such as the Euromillions, UK National Lottery and Irish Lotto...

The answer is Yes and No... don’t worry we’ll explain! No you can’t win the official US Powerball Lotto buying directly from the UK (unless someone or a company buys a ticket on your behalf in the USA) BUT YES you can win the equivalent directly from the UK online. (See Ways to Play)

The basics are exactly the same for UK and US citizens - you pay a small amount to win an exceptionally large amount. So, what is the difference? Let’s simply compare the options for someone who is based in the USA and someone who is based in the UK:

Love Irish Lotto... and football? Well Betfred have the perfect offer for you tonight (Wednesday 03/12/2019).

Liverpool are reigning supreme this season and if they continue their winning run tonight, they might not be the only winners.

Remember, remember what happens in November... the 49’s Lotto teatime draw shifts to the winter slot of 16:49.

First the bad news:

You have one hour less time to get your bets placed for the 49’s teatime draws each day.

Over five years ago CompareTheLotto.com was launched with our easy to use odds comparison tables - helping you get the best value for money by comparing all of the UK bookmakers in one easy format. We highlighted the best odds and the best offers...

The massive payout was the happy result of a number of successful bets on the 49’s lunchtime lotto draw on Tuesday 13th August.

The story of the winner has an international flavour as Kuala Lumpur-born winner Edwin Chiew, son of a Chinese father and Malaysian mother, set off for the UK a quarter of a century ago to work in a kitchen...

Picking lottery numbers can be tricky. Some people use birthdays, some have lucky numbers and some just use the lucky dip. But we’ve spoken to two lotto betting lovers who have their own special techniques they use... So, say hello to the Lotto ‘Guru’ and the Lotto ‘Geek’! Every week they’re going to help us pick out numbers on the Irish Lotto and see if they can find a winner...

Did you know that Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for the lottery industry - including the Irish and 49's Lotto?

But why is this? In the below article, we’ll explore exactly why so many people are betting on lottery during the festive period...

Guinness World Records have confirmed that the €90 million (£79 million) prize awarded by Lottoland to a lucky German player is the biggest largest online gambling pay-out in history.

Some believe this will see a surge of business for Lottoland with previously sceptical customers getting official reassurance on the Lottoland payout model...

A 56-year-old grandad from Hyde, Paul Walker, has won £150,000 from a £1 stake when betting on the Irish Lotto at Betfred - in the very same week he found out he was being made redundant.

But it wasn’t instant joy for Paul when the draw was made – as he forgot he had made the bet and didn’t discover it until four days later...

If you hadn't heard yet, we're sorry to the bearer of bad news... the price of the official Irish lottery is set to rise in September 2018.

We explore below whether Irish lotto lovers have any options to avoid the hike, through alternative companies like Bet365, Betfred & Lottoland.

This price jump will make it the second time that the Canadian owned operator, Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), has increased prices since they took over in the Lotto privatisation in 2015...

Friday night... a 25 cent bet... 5 numbers... and the rest as they say is history! The lucky customer beat the bookie and the 33,000/1 odds to kick off their weekend in style.

We can reveal that the customer had selected 3, 16, 25 and 44 and was delighted to discover the results that these hot numbers had delivered a massive profit. The County Monaghan customer was one of a growing worldwide base discovering the huge excitement of Lottery betting.

BoyleSports (at time of writing) offer incredible EuroMillions betting odds. As we explained in our recent article, BoyleSports offered a 65% better payout than the UK EuroMillions Hotpicks official offering for 4 balls.

If you've been watching UK television, you've probably noticed that the marketing brains behind EuroMillions HotPicks have launched a massive campaign to promote this new game with the slogan 'Get more than you expected'.

Comparethelotto.com compares this new Hotpicks format with betting on the outcome using a bookmaker. Which fared better? Read on..

At ComparetheLotto we highly rate the Lotto betting experience at Bet365. Now we've got another reason to love them... we were now able to bet on the Irish Daily Millions lottery.

Even better, the odds/payout that were available at the time of writing this article (remember odds are subject to change) are absolutely fantastic.

Now you have the reassurance that if you miss out by just one number on a 4 ball bet on any lottery, Betfred will return your stake as a free bet up to £10!

We've all been there… the excitement as your chosen balls roll in… then the frustration when one lets you down. It probably feels like the Lotto betting equivalent of your team missing a penalty in the 90th minute for your team to win the Champions League!

This Lotto line insurance offer means that any-time you match 3 balls from your chosen 4, Betfred will credit your stake as a free bet to have another go.

We all know the lottery is simply down to statistics and probability, right? Well that is definitely true, but what is also a fact is that certain numbers appear to defy the statistical probabilities and be drawn more than others.

In a recent article in the Daily Mail, these numbers were referred to as the ‘luckiest' numbers. They quoted research conducted by Jackpot, analysing a year of more than 1,500 draws from 15 international lotteries including Irish Lotto, EuroMillions, UK Lotto and US Powerball....

You probably know that at Bet365, you can choose your favourite numbers and simply bet that they'll be selected in your preferred lotto draw. If you're not aware of this, take a look at our lotto betting guide.

Many people are unaware though, that Bet 365 also offer other ways to make every lotto draw even more exciting. These are called Lotto Special bets or markets.

For a limited time, Betfred are giving Lotto betting customers an additional perk above their world beating Lotto odds.

Each week, U.K. Customers can simply bet £1 or more on the specific Lottery and win holiday vouchers to whisk you off around the world.

As common now on the U.K. high street as Marks and Sparks or a Spar, Betfred has clearly risen ahead of its retail competitors (William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and Paddy Power) in at least one area... lottery betting.

The main reason... incredible odds and value for money, particularly for the Irish Lotto and more and more people are now using them online.

Lottoland are continuing to disrupt the lottery world by taking on the established industry. Their latest shake up involves the launch of their own online Lotto product; WorldMillions.

One of the reasons we love lotto betting at ComparetheLotto is the flexibility it offers. A great example of that is betting on the EuroMillions Lotto draw with BoyleSports Lotto. They take flexibility to the next level with minimum stakes starting a just 1p! We believe that really is a recession busting, lotto leveller. It allows everyone to get involved with the excitement of the lottery at a budget that suits them.

It is a hugely popular past time in the UK with more and more people enjoying a fixed odds lotto bet. However there are some rumours circulating that the UK government may be about to stop the fun. UK betting companies have already been stopped from taking bets on the National Lottery and EuroMillions draws...

Lottoland have been slapped on the wrist and had a radio ad banned by the ASA for implying customers were buying lottery tickets and not betting. The game changing lotto betting operator has become a massive growth success story and takes bets on lotteries around the world...

Results Time... unlike in school days, it’s the most eagerly anticipated time of the week. Excitement, hope and trepidation… could this finally be the week you tell your boss where to stick it when you scoop a life changing tax free wedge of cash?

Big, bold, brash and trying to take over from the establishment in a country... nope we're not talking about Donald Trump's presidential bid.

We're referring to the launch of Lottoland in Ireland, the home of one of the most popular lotteries; the Greek Lotto... Of course we mean the Irish Lotto, just checking you're paying attention...

Comparethelotto.com have created an infographic to help you with the tough decision - which lotto should I play? There's more than twenty international lotteries to play out there and they all have different positives - some have bigger jackpots, some have a higher chance of winning. With this easy to use infographic we help you choose the perfect lotto for you.

You can't get too much of a great thing... That seems to be the thinking from the good people at the Irish National Lottery and their recent decision to launch another Daily Millions draw.

Irish lotto lovers used to have to bide their time from Wednesday until Saturday for the next draw with the main Irish Lotto.

You love lotto betting, you want to get the best deal... but you're always unbelievably busy so you don't have time to spend trawling through the nitty gritty... Does that sound like you?

Whether it's changing stinky nappies, writing boring reports for work or keeping up to date with requests on your Tinder profile (lucky you)... there's just not enough hours in the day....

You've probably heard the saying - you can't get too much of a good thing. Well that is the main principle behind the 49's Lotto. It is a great option for people who love lotto betting but might not want to wait until Wednesday or Saturday for the Irish Lotto draw for example... or they might want a cheeky little lunchtime bet. Let's face it - I'd imagine there aren't many things sweeter than going on your lunch break at work having just won £150,000 from a £1 bet... Probably a fair excuse to upgrade your 6 inch to a foot long - and you'd better be buying for the whole office.

It's the 3 letter word that everyone seems to be constantly talking about these days... No - not that one, behave. It's the app word and at Compare the Lotto we want to tell you Lottery lovers about a Lotto betting app from Betfred Lotto that could change your life (well, sort of).

Firstly, just in case you didn't know (we had to look it up ourselves for the correct definition) - a mobile app is simply defined as a software application for use on smartphones and tablets.

Camelot - what is your game?

You may have switched on your television to watch the Saturday night UK Lotto draw and thought the ball drawing machine Lancelot or Merlin had malfunctioned. Where have these extra 10 balls come from, you might have asked?

Well following on from the Irish Lotto changes, Camelot have tried something similar to the UK Lotto with the biggest changes in its 21 year history.

We break it down to the Good, the Bad and the Amusing...

There is a new lottery operator in town running the Irish Lotto draw - their name is PLI (Premier Lotteries Ireland) and they've brought about some pretty big changes from September 3rd 2015. PLI are promoting these changes under the tagline of 'Bigger Better Draws'....

Paddy Power are the kings of social media marketing and viral stunts - however there is method to their madness and they mostly back up the nutty nonsense with a strong user experience and offering in Sports and E-Gaming.

They've grabbed headlines and caused havoc for a whole array of stunts:

• Oscar Time: money back if Oscar Pistorius walked
• Rainbow Laces: raising the issue of homophobia in football
• Celebrities wearing green Y-fronts

You don't have to buy a ticket for the lottery these days. Now you can also bet on the lottery, staking as little or as much as you want. You don't even have to pick six numbers.

Various online bookmakers, such as Betfred, bet365 and Paddy Power all offer a host of lottery markets on their websites. But why is it better to bet on the lottery, rather than buy a good old fashioned ticket? Well, here are four of the most popular reasons why many other people have torn up their tickets for the last time...

That money you spent having a bet on the Irish Lotto... hoping.
The lottery machine span. Balls fell. Your heart raced.
That moment has arrived. You never thought it would happen. But tonight it has.
That £1 investment.
That wise £1 investment.
You check your Irish Lottery results and your lucky number has come in.
BOOM! £6 profit (good job you found the best price)!
So what could you do with your £6 after correctly predicting one number on this week's lotto? Well... here are our top eight recommendations to make the most of your new found wealth.

What is Daily Million, Ireland’s other lottery?

Basically, it is, as its name suggests, a lottery draw that takes place every day, with a €1 million prize always up for grabs. It differs from the Irish Lotto though, as it offers fixed prizes, but not rollovers. A big perk of the Daily Million is that it costs a mere €1 to play.

Ever wondered why the Irish Lottery is so popular?

Well, mostly it's because it's better value than the UK Lotto, with two lines costing €3, and gives you a 42% higher chance of winning the main prize, which is always worth in excess of €2 million. You can also play the Irish Lotto from anywhere in the UK.

Basically, why wouldn't you play the Irish Lotto instead of the UK Lotto?

The lottery isn't what it used to be.

You used to pick your numbers, buy a ticket and then cross your fingers on a Saturday night… usually followed by ripping up your ticket and declaring it a waste of money.

But things have changed. There are so many more ways to play the lottery now – and to get much better value when doing so. The odds have never been better for players.

So, how do you know the best way to get better value? That's where CompareTheLotto.com comes in. We're an independent, unbiased website that enhances your lotto experience – and below are the five main reasons why....