Aus. Mon & Wed Lotto
Australia's Monday and Wednesday Lotto is a twice-weekly draw game run by Tatts Group, the operator of lottery services across multiple Australian states and territories. This guide covers the mechanics, prize structure, odds, and tax implications of the game.
Monday and Wednesday nights
6 from 45 numbers plus supplementary balls
Tatts Group (Tattersalls)
State and territory lotteries commissions
How the Game Works
Players select 6 numbers from a pool of 1 to 45. Each Monday and Wednesday, the lottery draws 6 winning numbers plus 2 supplementary numbers. Your ticket wins a prize if it matches 3 or more of the 6 main numbers, with or without one or both supplementary balls.
The supplementary balls act as secondary matching numbers. A ticket with 5 main numbers plus 1 supplementary ball can win second division. A ticket with 4 main numbers plus both supplementary balls can win fourth division. This two-tier bonus structure means more ways to win across lower prize divisions.
Division 1 (the jackpot) requires all 6 main numbers. It rolls over if no ticket matches all 6. Division prizes share a percentage of total ticket sales, so jackpots fluctuate based on the size of the player pool and rollover frequency.
Prize Divisions and Odds
The game has 7 prize divisions. Division 1 is the jackpot; the remaining 6 divisions distribute fixed percentages of pool revenue.
Division 1 requires 6 from 45. Division 2 requires 5 main numbers plus 1 supplementary. Division 3 requires 5 main numbers only. Division 4 requires 4 main numbers plus both supplementary numbers. Division 5 requires 4 main numbers plus 1 supplementary. Division 6 requires 4 main numbers or 3 main numbers plus both supplementaries. Division 7 requires 3 main numbers plus 1 supplementary or 3 main numbers only.
The overall probability of winning any prize is approximately 1 in 87. Most wins land in divisions 6 and 7, which pay modest amounts. Divisions 1 and 2 are rarest. The probability of winning division 1 is 1 in 8,145,060. For detailed current odds on each division, consult Tatts Group's official lottery rules, as prize structures can be adjusted.
History and Operator
Tattersalls began operating lotteries in Australia in 1881. The Monday and Wednesday Lotto format emerged in its current structure as a major draw offering across Australian states. Tatts Group operates under regulation by state and territory gambling authorities, with each jurisdiction maintaining oversight of game rules, payouts, and player protections.
The game is sold in Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and other participating jurisdictions. Operating licenses and regulatory frameworks differ slightly by state, but the core game structure remains consistent across outlets.
Draw Schedule
Draws occur every Monday and Wednesday at 8:30 PM Australian Eastern Time (or equivalent in other zones, depending on state location). Results are published immediately after the draw closes. Players can check tickets through Tatts Group's official website, retail outlets, or authorized lottery retailers in their state or territory.
Strategy and Expected Value
Lotteries are games of pure chance. No selection method, pattern, or frequency analysis improves your odds of winning. Each ticket has an identical probability of matching any combination.
Expected value analysis matters for comparison. A lottery ticket is worth less than its purchase price when measured against mathematical payout ratios. Players should treat lottery tickets as entertainment costs, not investments. The overall odds of 1 in 87 winning any prize means that for every 87 tickets sold in the long run, statistically one contains a win. Most of those wins are small.
Syndicates (group ticket purchases) do not change the probability of winning, but they do increase the number of tickets in play and divide any jackpot among members. A 10-person syndicate holding 10 tickets has the same odds per ticket as a solo player, but generates more coverage of possible combinations. Winnings from a shared ticket are split according to the syndicate agreement.
Tax Treatment in Australia
Lottery winnings are not subject to income tax in Australia. Prize money is received tax-free, regardless of the amount. This applies to all lottery games operated by Tatts Group under Australian law. However, if you reinvest winnings and generate subsequent income (for example, placing prize money in an interest-bearing account), that income is taxable. The lottery payout itself carries no tax liability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the main numbers and supplementary balls?
The 6 main numbers are your primary selection. The 2 supplementary numbers are drawn separately and determine winners in lower divisions. For example, matching 5 main numbers plus 1 supplementary puts you in division 2. Matching 3 main numbers plus 1 supplementary qualifies for division 7. Supplementary balls allow more granular prize tiers without adding complexity to your selection.
How often do jackpots roll over, and why?
A jackpot (division 1) rolls over if no ticket matches all 6 main numbers in that draw. The frequency depends on player volume and sheer probability. With odds of 1 in 8,145,060 per ticket, rollovers happen regularly. When a rollover occurs, the division 1 prize pool from the draw is added to the next draw's jackpot, causing it to grow.
Can I improve my chances by picking numbers based on patterns or past results?
No. Each draw is independent. Previous results do not influence future draws. Numbers drawn rarely in the past are not 'due'. Conversely, frequently drawn numbers do not maintain a trend. Every combination of 6 numbers from 1 to 45 has the same probability of being drawn.
What are my odds of winning any prize at all?
Approximately 1 in 87. This means across all 7 divisions, roughly one ticket in 87 wins something. However, most of these wins are in divisions 6 and 7 and pay modest sums. Significant wins (divisions 1 through 4) are far rarer.
Do I owe tax on lottery winnings in Australia?
No. Lottery prizes are not subject to income tax. You receive the full amount stated. Subsequent income generated from that prize (such as interest on a savings account) is taxable, but the lottery payout itself is tax-free.
Why do prizes in lower divisions vary from draw to draw?
Prize amounts are based on a percentage of ticket sales revenue. Each division receives a fixed share of that pool. More tickets sold increases the pool, and thus the payouts. Fewer tickets sold reduces them. Division 1 (jackpot) can roll over, but divisions 2-7 always distribute their allocated percentage of the current draw's revenue.
