Australians’ chance of winning Oz Lotto is set to become harder due to a plan backed by the Victorian government.
The change involves increasing the amount of Oz Lotto numbers and blowing out the chances of a first division win from one in 45 million to one in 62 million.
However, higher jackpots could be at play that would increase taxation revenue, with the move starting on May 11.
It comes after the state government amended the Public Lottery Licence to increase the matrix from seven from 45 numbers to seven from 47 numbers.
During pandemic-induced lockdowns, Victorians rushed to play lotto in mammoth numbers, resulting in an extra $100m in lotto tax revenue for the government.
This was in addition to a record $615m in taxes in the last financial year.
Entrants playing Oz Lotto in all states and territories will be impacted since the game is Victorian licensed.
However, Victorian opposition gambling spokeswoman Steph Ryan told the Herald Sun that the change was just a way for the government to tax its way out of mounting debt.
“The state Labor government is swimming in debt and raiding the pockets of people chasing the Australian dream of winning the lotto by making it harder to win – and more likely to lose,” she said.
“By making it harder to win Oz Lotto, Labor’s reforms will mean bigger jackpots, bigger ticket sales and a bigger government tax take on Victorians’ losses.”
However, the state government maintains steps have been put in place to limit problem gambling.
