Unveiling Australia’s Lottery Landscape: Luck by Location, Names, and Numbers
Analysis of The Lottery Office’s internal data has uncovered Australia’s lottery landscape, offering a clear view of where luck has historically landed. We analysed the distribution of wins across states and postcodes as well as the trends among the luckiest* names, letters, zodiac signs, and generations.
*The term “luckiest” is used to describe individuals from the most fortunate States to the luckiest letters that have won a prize, as per The Lottery Office’s internal data
We reveal how your location, name, or even birthdate might just tilt the scales of fortune in your favour. Discover the statistics that might have you re-evaluating your next lottery ticket.
Exploring Australia’s Luckiest Locations
New South Wales claims the title of ‘luckiest Australian state’ with the highest amount of lottery winnings. This state is followed by Queensland which takes second place, and Victoria in third. (Diagram 1)
On the flip side, Tasmania places last out of all the states, deeming it the ‘unluckiest’, having won the least amount of Australian dollars.
Casula, in New South Wales, comes out on top, with the luckiest postcode ‘2170’ for the number of unique winners. This postcode is followed by Queensland’s Bundall ‘4217’ and Victoria’s Cocoroc ‘3030’ in third. (Diagram 2)
Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is home to Australia’s capital city Canberra. Unfortunately, the ACT doesn’t boast one of the country’s top 10 lucky postcodes and places sixth among the eight states for the amount of Australian dollars won. Within the ACT, however, Holt takes top spot for the number of lottery winners in the area.
New South Wales
It’s no surprise that New South Wales (NSW), Australia’s most populated state home to 8.3 million people, places first out of the eight states for the amount of Australian dollars won. It’s also the state with the second-highest number of lucky postcodes, holding positions number one, five and ten. Within the state, Casula holds the poll position for the number of unique lottery winners from the area.
Northern Territory
Northern Territory (NT) is Australia’s least populated state. As such, it doesn’t boast one of the country’s top 10 lucky postcodes and places seventh among the eight states for the amount of Australian dollars won from the lottery. Within the NT though, Tiwi places first for the number of lottery winners in the area.
Queensland
Queensland (QLD) has the highest number of lucky postcodes at positions two, six, eight and nine. The state places second out of the eight states for the amount of Australian dollars won. Within Queensland, Bundall takes first position for the number of unique lottery winners from the area.
South Australia
South Australia (SA) doesn’t boast one of the country’s top 10 lucky postcodes and places fifth among the eight states for the amount of Australian dollars won. Within South Australia, however, Salisbury takes top spot for the number of lottery winners in the area.
Tasmania
Tasmania (TAS) comes in last place among the states for the amount of Australian dollars won. It also doesn’t claim one of the country’s top 10 lucky postcodes making it the unluckiest Australian state. Within the state though, Newstead places first for the number of lottery winners in the area.
Victoria
Victoria (VIC) has the third-highest number of lucky postcodes at positions third and fourth. Victoria places third out of the eight states for the amount of Australian dollars won. Within the state, Cocoroc takes first position for the number of unique lottery winners from the area.
Western Australia
Western Australia (WA) comes in fourth among the eight states for the amount of Australian dollars won. The state is also home to one of Australia’s lucky postcodes ‘6210’, placing seventh among the top 10. Erskine therefore takes the top spot for the number of lottery winners in the area.
Spelling It Out: Luckiest Names
Michelle, Karen and Lisa make up the top three luckiest female names. Turns out it’s not all bad to be named Karen after all! Whilst Sharon and Amanda take the tenth and ninth spots respectively, they’re still amongst our top ten luckiest female names.
Similarly, Michael tops our list of luckiest male names, meaning Michelle and Michaels may make the ultimate lucky couple. David and John also make the top three of the luckiest male names. Whilst James and Daniel take the tenth and ninth spots respectively, they’re still amongst our top ten luckiest male names. (Diagram 4)
Powerball couple: Michael + Michelle
Winning Initials: Luckiest Letters
Don’t fret if your name wasn’t included, your luck may be with the letters. The winning combination is those with a first name beginning with ‘L’ and surname beginning with ‘G’. With 10,390 children born in 2022 with a first name starting with ‘L’ they may turn out to be very lucky in the future. (Diagram 5)
Jackpot initials: L + G
The ultimate lucky letters featured in both the first and last name tables include C, D, M, P, R, and S. If you have these alliterative initials luck is on your side!
Golden Years: Luckiest Ages
Astrological Advantage: Luckiest Zodiac Signs
While the stars align for Cancer signs born between June 21st and July 22nd, it may be worth everyone entering the lottery in June and July to see if luck is on your side. Taurus and Virgo aren’t far behind making April 20th – May 20th and August 23rd – September 22nd the second and third luckiest times of year, respectively. (Diagram 6)
The next year of the Monkey will be in 2028 so, that year, everyone will be in with their best chance of winning the lottery. But if you’re part of this troupe, born in the years 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 or 2016, you might have a better chance of winning than most.
The idea of certain postcodes, names, or birthdates bringing more luck is a fun notion to entertain, but remember, at the heart of every lottery ticket is the unpredictable thrill of chance. Whether you’re from a lucky postcode or whether your name tops the list of the fortunate, each draw is a new opportunity for anyone to win.
Methodology:
Rankings determining the luckiest locations, names, and ages are based on The Lottery Office’s entire database since its launch in 2018.
The Lottery Office took a sample of over 250 of the most popular names in Australia according to 2022 figures, amounting to a sample of 95,000 newborns. Data was taken from the following state government websites:
- https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/births/naming-your-child/popular-victorian-baby-names/popular-baby-names-in-victoria-2023
- https://www.nsw.gov.au/family-and-relationships/births/popular-baby-names
- https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/top-100-baby-names/resource/2b3b4000-c3de-476d-9f27-c6ae2e4d7267
- https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/popular-baby-names
- https://nt.gov.au/law/bdm/popular-baby-names
Notes
The above information is compiled from all prize wins across The Lottery Office’s Australia-wide jurisdictions (New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and Northern Territory) from September 2018 to March 2024.
- The above information is inclusive of online entries, purchased across the website and app.
- Data includes all prize winners with known birth year.
About The Lottery Office
The Lottery Office’s parent company, Global Players Network Pty Ltd (GPN), is an Australian-owned and operated lottery company established in 2003. The company has always been licensed and headquartered in the Northern Territory but has enjoyed a large logistical presence interstate including executive and support staff located on the Gold Coast. The company has delivered more than one million payments, including division one winners, to customers all over the world. Five years ago, GPN commenced marketing its lottery products to Australian customers online through The Lottery office. The company pays Australian taxes and has employed more than 700 Australians since its establishment.
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