Historically the word “lottery” has been synonymous in the UK and Ireland with the respective National Lotteries and Euromillions draws. However, in recent years a wave of innovation has created multiple new and exciting ways to engage with lottery and numbers betting games. Below we’ve explained how the top four ways to engage work. These are: Bet on 1-5 balls (Fixed Odds Lottery betting), Bet-on-Jackpots, Lottery Ticket Messenger services & Traditional Lottery Tickets.
In UK and Irish bookmakers you can place a bet on the outcome of lotteries. Select the number of balls you want to bet on and receive fixed odds outcomes. For example, a hugely popular bet is pick 3 numbers on the Irish Lotto - if you match all 3 numbers you receive up to 700/1 (see bookmaker irish lotto odds here).
How?
- View our lotto bookmakers to find a reputable and trusted bookmaker. Most bookmakers offer multiple lotteries, some popular choices are Irish Lotto, 49’s and Daily Millions.
- Register an account and securely deposit with your chosen company
- Select the amount of balls you want to bet on and the amount of money you want to stake.
Why?
- Access to a good range of worldwide lotteries
- Choice – you can bet on just one ball if you want
- Often offers a higher chance of returns than traditional lotteries
- Great welcome offers with selected companies
- Flexibility – bet from just £/€0.10 a line
Why Not?
- No jackpot betting
- No good cause contributions
- Can't bet on National Lottery or Euromillions from the UK
Where To Bet?
Which Lottos?
Say you live in the UK or Ireland but would like to engage with the US Powerball, where the jackpots often reach hundreds of millions of dollars - this became a simple option when Bet-On-Jackpots were created. Revolutionised by Jackpot.com in the past few years, Bet-On-Jackpots has given customers a way to bet on many international lotteries including US Powerball, US Mega Millions, Super Ena Lotto, El Gordo and many more.
How?
Firstly, it’s important to know you aren’t actually purchasing a ticket for the respective lottery. You are actually placing a bet on the outcome of the draw. If you match all the numbers for the US Powerball Jackpot with Jackpot.com, your winnings will be paid out by Jackpot.com (through an insured jackpot model), not from the US Powerball operator. It is worth noting Bet-On-Jackpot companies featured on CompareTheLotto.com are licensed by the UK Gambling commission and fully regulated. Also worth a mention -the insurance model was well and truly proven when they broke records and paid out €90 Million (£79,000,000).
Why?
- Growing range of worldwide lotteries
- Excellent welcome offers
- Some fantastic new features you’ll love (Double Jackpots, Millionaire Guarantee & Number Shield)
- Fantastic price (often same cost as buying ticket direct locally)
Why Not?
- Not required to donate to good causes
- Can't bet on National Lottery or Euromillions from the UK
Where To Bet?
Which Lottos?
Intermediary companies buy tickets from the lotteries directly in their respective countries. The user then would see a scanned copy of the ticket in their online account. This enables the user to play international lotteries from wherever they live.
How?
As if you were playing a lottery locally - simply select your numbers, select the draw, pay for your ticket and you’re in the draw. You then see a scanned ticket in your account. If you win, the lottery messenger service will claim your money locally then transfer to your account. See full guide.
Why?
- Access to huge range of worldwide lotteries
- Good promotions and bonuses
- Good customer service – Live chat and foreign language international support
- Contributes towards good causes
- Syndicate options
Why Not?
- Premiums on ticket prizes for the services upfront
- High entry level prices - minimum lines and draws each time you play
- Some charge fees from for prize amounts exceeding £1000, €1000 or US$1000
- Not regulated by UK Gambling Commission or any regulatory body
- Requires trust in company
Where To Play?
Which Lottos?
A ‘traditional’ lottery is defined by two factors: Firstly, the jackpot is based on how many tickets are sold - the more tickets sold, the bigger the prize. Secondly, there is a requirement to contribute to good causes. This is the oldest form of lottery playing in the UK and Ireland and still retains by far the biggest proportion of play.
How?
Traditionally, these are the lotteries that have been around since before the prevalence of the internet so tickets would have been purchased in the local shop. Today, there’s a more even split between shop sales and online sales.
Why?
- Incredible amounts of money donated to good causes across the UK
- National Lottery & Euromillions are good value for money compared to Lottery Ticket Messenger services for other international lotteries
Why Not?
- No welcome offer
- Limited range of lotteries available to play
- Very small odds of winning the jackpot
- Less value for money than some betting on lottery options