Australia's Saturday Lotto
Saturday Lotto is Australia's oldest and most widely played lottery. Tattersalls has operated it since 1972 under regulation by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission. The game runs every Saturday night, with draws conducted in Melbourne.
How Saturday Lotto Works
Players select six numbers from a pool of 1 to 45. On draw night, Tattersalls draws six winning numbers plus two supplementary numbers. Your ticket wins a prize if it matches the winning numbers in any of six divisions. The supplementary numbers create additional winning combinations and determine Division 4 and Division 5 outcomes.
The core mechanic is straightforward: match more numbers, win a bigger prize. Divisions 1 through 3 depend on matching the main six. Divisions 4 and 5 combine main numbers with supplementary balls. Divisions 6 and 7 offer smaller prizes for partial matches.
Prize Structure and Odds
Saturday Lotto uses a seven-division prize system. Division 1 requires all six numbers to match. This is the jackpot tier and carries odds of approximately 1 in 8.1 million. Division 2 matches five numbers plus one supplementary. Division 3 matches five numbers. Divisions 4 and 5 both involve four numbers, with Division 5 requiring a supplementary match. Divisions 6 and 7 cover three-number and two-number matches respectively.
The odds improve as prize tiers lower. A three-number match (Division 6 or 7) occurs roughly once every 85 draws per ticket. Two-number matches are more frequent. The probability of winning any prize at all sits around 1 in 87, meaning most tickets return nothing. Prize amounts vary by division and pool distribution, not fixed cash values. Division 1 rolls down to lower tiers if no ticket matches all six numbers.
Draw Schedule and Timing
Saturday Lotto draws occur every Saturday evening. Draws close at 7:30 PM Australian Eastern Time. The draw itself takes place at 8:45 PM AEST on the same night. Results are published immediately after the draw through Tattersalls' official channels and licensed retailers across Australia.
Tickets remain on sale until the closing time on draw day. You can purchase tickets for the upcoming Saturday draw up until 7:30 PM that evening. Draws have run continuously on this schedule since the game's inception in 1972.
Expected Value and Maths Context
Lottery expected value is calculated by multiplying the odds of each prize by its amount, then summing across all divisions. For Saturday Lotto, the operator returns approximately 45 percent of ticket revenue as prizes across all divisions combined. This means the mathematical expectation on a one-dollar ticket is roughly 45 cents over infinite plays. The remaining 55 percent funds state government, retailer commissions, and operational costs.
Syndicates reduce risk per person but split any win among members. A 10-person syndicate divides the ticket cost by ten, meaning lower exposure to loss. However, any prize won is split ten ways. The odds remain identical. Syndicate value hinges on group discipline and clear prize-sharing agreements, not on the game's mathematical structure.
Overall odds of winning any prize are approximately 1 in 87. This figure includes Division 7 two-number matches and all higher tiers. Most tickets win nothing. Understanding this probability shapes realistic expectations about Saturday Lotto as entertainment rather than investment.
Tax Treatment in Australia
Lottery winnings in Australia are not subject to income tax. The Australian Taxation Office treats lottery prizes as windfall gains, not assessable income. This applies to all divisions and all prize amounts, whether one dollar or ten million dollars.
No tax is withheld from Saturday Lotto prizes. You receive 100 percent of your prize. This tax-free treatment is unique to lotteries and applies consistently across state-based lotteries including Saturday Lotto. Winnings do not require declaration on your tax return.
Other jurisdictions differ. Some countries apply withholding tax or treat winnings as taxable income. Australia's approach makes Saturday Lotto prizes available in full to winners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the main numbers and supplementary balls?
The main draw selects six numbers from 1 to 45. Two additional supplementary numbers are drawn from the remaining balls. Supplementary numbers only affect Divisions 4, 5, and 7. If your ticket matches five main numbers plus one supplementary, you win Division 2. If four main numbers match plus one supplementary, you win Division 4. The supplementary numbers do not count toward Divisions 1, 2, 3, or 6.
What are the odds of winning Division 1 (the jackpot)?
The odds of matching all six numbers are approximately 1 in 8.1 million. This means roughly 8.1 million tickets must be issued to expect one Division 1 winner. Your chance of winning Division 1 on a single ticket is extremely small. However, Division 1 prizes can grow large when no ticket wins, and the prize pool rolls down to lower divisions.
How does the prize pool work if nobody wins Division 1?
Saturday Lotto uses a rolldown system. If no ticket matches all six numbers, the Division 1 prize money rolls down to the next-lowest division with winners. This increases prizes in lower divisions. Rolldowns create larger payouts in Divisions 2 and 3 on weeks with no jackpot winner, attracting higher ticket sales the following week.
Is there a time limit to claim a Saturday Lotto prize?
Claim timeframes are set by Tattersalls and vary by prize amount. Generally, tickets are valid for a period following the draw date, after which unclaimed prizes go to state government. Check your ticket immediately after a draw and verify winning numbers through official Tattersalls sources. Do not delay claiming verified wins.
Can you buy Saturday Lotto tickets online, or only in-person?
This page covers game rules and mechanics only. Ticket purchase options, platforms, and payment methods are covered on our buy page. Visit the Saturday Lotto purchase page on LOL Casino for current information on how to play.
Why is the expected value only 45 percent?
Lotteries operate as government-regulated products. The ticket price must cover prize payouts, retailer commissions, marketing, operations, and state revenue allocation. Tattersalls returns roughly 45 percent of revenue as prizes by design. The remaining 55 percent funds infrastructure, regulation, and government budgets. This is standard across Australian lotteries and reflects how the game is structured to support public revenue.
