When it comes to the lottery, most people are mainly only focused on betting on those winning numbers – but most people don’t realise the amount of  crazy facts about the lottery there are.

Here's some interesting facts we bet you didn't realise about lottery games and prizes around the globe:

  1. Americans spend more on the Lottery than all other forms of entertainment

According to the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, Americans spent $70.1 billion on lottery tickets in 2014. This is a whopping amount as compared to us Brits, we spend a rough total amount of $63 billion on sports events tickets, books, video games, cinema tickets and music—combined.

  1. Most winners blow their winnings because they are too generous

Most of us always assume that big lottery winners lose their winnings because they spend it on extravagant things they can't afford.

However, according to Charles Conrad, a senior financial planner with Szarka Financial, the biggest issue is that they are too generous, and give away the money to family and friends closest to them.

This is why it is always important to hire a financial advisor if you ever win the lottery, to prevent situations like these happening.

  1. Many winners don’t collect their winnings

A lot of lottery winners do not realize that he or she bought the winning ticket. Many winning prizes go unclaimed - in 2017, as much as $2.89 billion worth went unclaimed. Heart breaking.

There’s an unfortunate story about a UK player who won £63,837,543.60. However, no one stepped forward to claim the prize leading to speculations that the player failed to check his winning ticket. This occurred in 2012, so even if the winner finally realised today, it is too late. Unclaimed prizes are given to a chosen charity so at least it goes to a good cause.

4.Most Popular Draw Ball

Number 38 is the most popular draw ball of all time. It has been drawn over 314 times ever since 1994.

  1. Buying a ticket illegally means you lose the winnings

In 2005, a woman from Oregon won $1 million, however authorities soon found out that she had purchased it illegally. Specifically, she purchased the ticket using the credit card of her boyfriend's dead mother, along with an additional $12,000 in illegal purchases. Authorities immediately confiscated the winning’s and the money went to the Medford Police Department.

Long story short – do not take money from any dead relative to purchase a lottery ticket, or anything else as a matter of fact…

6. The Term 'lotto' has multicultural roots

Before the word Lottery even came to be, the idea of winning cash prizes used to be referred to something else.

The English word ‘lottery’ actually originated from the Dutch term ‘lot’ which translates to ‘fate’. The term ‘lotto’ originated from Italy as the first-ever post-Roman Empire lottery was held in Milan, Italy in 1449.

That’s a trusty little fun fact you can share at the next office meeting!

7. Even the Vatican City has Lotteries

At first the papacy was against lotteries in Rome. Popes Innocent XI and XII threatened excommunication against Catholics that participated in the Italian lotteries, but the lotteries were still as popular as ever with the public.

In 1732, the Holy See led by Pope Innocent XIII finally permitted the establishment of an official Roman lottery. Centuries later, the Vatican has more than warmed up to lotteries. In 2015, Pope Francis (the current pope), held a lottery giving the collected funds to charity.

He recently announced a second lottery with a 30 July draw date. The tickets are only 10 euros each. However, you can only purchase a ticket at a Vatican pharmacy, post office, supermarket, or bookshop if you want to enter.

8. Most big winners don't quit their day job

Win the lottery, buy your dream house, and give up your tiresome day job. That’s the dream for the average player. However, a lot of lottery winners don’t end up taking that route. In reality, almost half of big-time lottery winners (the people who collect millions of dollars) keep working, and at the same jobs as well.

It’s easier to keep a job when you know you don’t need it, but the truth is that people like and require routine in their life, and they often want to keep seeing their work mates.

A 2009 study of Swedish lottery winners by Bengt Furaker and Anna Hedenus found that contrary to popular belief, a whopping 62% of the winners choose to remain working in their day jobs, while only 12% of winners totally quit their job.

This result may come from the fact the most people feel a desire to be productive and generate income, and from work and many also see it as an intrinsic part of their identity. A National Opinion Research Center poll from 2016 also found out that 70% of adults feel they would still work, even if they didn't need the money.

9.You’re not required to pay taxes on your winnings (if you’re from the UK, France, Sweden, and Germany). 

Yes, you can still enjoy tax-free winnings provided that you’re from a country with friendly lotto tax rules and policies.

 All winnings earned from the draws are often paid in lump sums and these are not usually taxed. In the UK, a part of the proceeds of the draws is awarded to organizations helping the less fortunate. However, these donations are taken from ticket sales and not from taxes.

10.One Last Incredible Lottery Fact: You can increase your chances of winning the lottery online with Lottoland!

If you think you're someone who deserves to win the lottery, give yourself the chance to maximise your chances of winning the lottery with lotteries from all over the world available online at Lottoland.

So, what are the chances of winning the lottery with Lottoland?

The top three jackpot odds are: Christmas El Gordo (Spain) at 1 to 100,000, MINI Lotto (Poland) at 1 to 850,668 and the Swedish Lotto at 1 to 6,724,520. Note that the Christmas El Gordo jackpot is split up into ten shares (décimos), each share is worth €400,000 (£332,99).

However, Lottoland offers many more lotto’s available to bet on online in the UK including the Irish Lotto, PowerBall, MegaMillions and more!

Will you be the next winner?

At the end of the day, winning the lottery is all about going the extra mile and to boost your odds of winning. And you can do just that with Lottoland by betting on lotteries from all over the world.

Who knows, your winning story may be the next crazy lottery fact we write!

P.S Just a little reminder – players must be 18 or over and Lottoland is not affiliated with the National Lottery or its operator Premier Lotteries. However, your chances and jackpot prizes remain the same, and you get to play from the UK!  

Goodluck and have fun (responsibly)!