eLotteryGenerator

Common Lottery Terminologies

Explore our comprehensive glossary of lottery terms to enhance your understanding of the game.

A

Add-on feature

An optional feature in some lottery games, often available for an additional fee, that can enhance prizes or improve odds.

Advanced draw

A feature allowing players to participate in multiple consecutive draws, often referred to as a "Multi-draw."

Agent

A retailer that sells lottery tickets.

Annuity

A payment option for large jackpot winners, where prizes are paid out annually over a set period, rather than as a lump sum.

B

Ball

The numbered object randomly drawn during a lottery. Also known as "Number" or "Digit."

Ball set

A collection of numbered balls used in the lottery draw machine.

Bearer instrument

A document, such as a lottery ticket, that entitles the holder to the prize.

Beneficiary

The person who receives a lottery prize.

Bet

A wager placed on the outcome of a lottery draw.

Bonus number

An additional number drawn alongside the main draw to influence prizes.

Book

A set of scratch cards or instant-win tickets.

Box

A wager where the numbers can match the drawn numbers in any order.

Bundle

A package of personal and syndicate entries for online lottery play.

C

Cancelled ticket

A voided ticket.

Capped jackpot

A jackpot that stops increasing after reaching a predetermined limit.

Cash option

A one-time lump sum payout for a jackpot, also known as a "Lump sum payment."

Claim form

A document winners complete to collect large prizes.

Claim center

A place where winners can validate their tickets and collect prizes.

Claim period

The period during which a winner can claim their prize.

Claim process

The steps required to redeem a lottery prize.

Cold number

A number that hasn't appeared in recent draws, thought to be unlikely to show up soon.

Combo

A wager combining both Box and Straight play types.

D

Daily game

A lottery game drawn at least once daily.

Date game

A lottery game drawn on specific days.

Digit

Any number between 0 and 9, often used in daily draw games.

Draw

The event where the winning numbers are chosen.

Draw machine

The machine used to randomly select lottery numbers.

E

Electronic funds transfer

A direct bank transfer of winnings.

Estate

Assets inherited from a deceased individual.

Estimated jackpot

The expected prize amount for an upcoming draw, subject to fluctuations.

Extra game

An optional game that increases chances of winning or adds extra prizes.

F

Fixed prize

A non-variable prize that remains constant.

Fixed payout

A predetermined prize amount, usually in lower prize tiers or daily draw games.

G

Game matrix

A structure showing how many numbers a player needs to pick versus the total available in the pool (e.g., 6/49).

Going public

Revealing a jackpot winner's identity to the public.

Good causes

Nonprofit organizations that benefit from a portion of lottery revenue.

H

High numbers

Numbers in the upper half of a set (e.g., 20-40 in a 1-40 set).

Hit

A number that matches the drawn result.

Hopper

The cylindrical machine used to draw the lottery balls.

Hot number

A number that is thought to be likely to appear based on previous draws.

I

Inheritance tax

A tax on assets or money inherited.

Instant game

A scratch-off ticket offering instant results.

Internet gaming

Online participation in lottery or gambling games.

Internet wager

A bet placed on an online lottery or gambling game.

J

Jackpot

The largest prize available in a lottery, often progressive or capped.

Jackpot cap

A maximum limit on the jackpot's growth.

K

Keeper

A frequently selected number on a player's lottery ticket.

Keep out

A number deliberately avoided, often due to superstition.

L

Last drawn

Refers to the last time a particular number appeared in a lottery draw.

Lottery

A game of chance where players match numbers to win prizes.

Lottery betting

Wagering on lottery outcomes without purchasing an official ticket.

Lottery commission

The regulatory body overseeing a jurisdiction's lottery.

Lottery retailer

A licensed store selling lottery tickets.

Lottery scam

Fraudulent activities involving false lottery claims.

Lottery tax

Tax imposed on lottery winnings, varying by location.

Low numbers

Numbers in the lower half of a number set.

Lump sum payment

A one-time payment option for jackpot winnings.

M

Match

When a player's number matches the drawn number.

Messenger service

A service that buys lottery tickets on behalf of players.

Multi-draw

An option to buy tickets for multiple future draws.

Multi-jurisdiction lottery

A lottery that spans multiple jurisdictions (e.g., Powerball).

Multiplier

A number that multiplies non-jackpot winnings.

N

National lottery

The official lottery of a country.

Number

See "Ball" or "Digit."

Number checker

A tool for verifying lottery results.

Number generator

A tool that generates random numbers for lottery tickets.

Number range

The group of numbers a player can choose from.

Numbers game

A daily lottery game where players pick digits.

O

Odds

The probability of winning a lottery prize.

Offline game

A lottery game that doesn't require electronic validation (e.g., scratch cards).

Online agent

Similar to a messenger service, an agent purchases tickets for players online.

P

Pairs

A type of wager in daily draw games, like Front Pair or Back Pair.

Pari-mutuel

A prize system where the total pool is divided among winners.

Payout

The monetary reward a winner receives.

Play slip

A form used to mark lottery choices.

Play type

A selection of different ways to play lottery numbers.

Prize percentage

The portion of the prize pool allocated to a specific prize tier.

Prize pool

The total amount of money available for prizes.

Prize tier

A level of prize, based on the number of matching numbers.

Progressive jackpot

A jackpot that grows until it is won.

Q

Quick Pick

A random selection of lottery numbers generated by a machine.

R

Raffle

A lottery-like game where prizes are awarded to randomly selected tickets.

Result history

A record of past lottery results.

Results

The numbers drawn and the prizes won in a lottery.

S

Scanned copy

An image of a lottery ticket stored online for proof of purchase.

Scratcher

A scratch card offering instant win results.

Skip

The absence of a number in recent draws.

Starting jackpot

The minimum jackpot for a game before it begins growing.

Straight

A play type requiring the exact order of numbers to match the drawn numbers.

Straight/Box

A play type that allows winning with numbers in any order or exact order.

Subscription

A recurring lottery entry for a set period.

Sweepstakes

A game where prizes are randomly awarded to entrants.

Syndicate

A group of people pooling money to buy multiple tickets and share winnings.

T

Terminal

A machine used to process lottery tickets.

Ticket

The document that represents a player's entry in a lottery.

Total sum

The sum of a player's selected lottery numbers.

Triple

A three-digit number made up of the same digit repeated.

U

Unclaimed prize

A prize that has not been collected by the winner.

V

Validation

The process of confirming a ticket's legitimacy and prize amount.

W

Wager

A sum of money placed on a lottery's outcome.

Wheeling

A system where a set of numbers is combined in multiple ways to create different ticket combinations.

Winner

The person who wins a prize in a lottery.

Withholding

The tax amount deducted from a winner's prize.