The Saturday Superdraw Lotto is one of Australia’s most popular lottery games. It is drawn every Saturday night and offers some of the biggest jackpot prizes in the country. The Saturday Superdraw is run by Tattersall’s, one of Australia’s largest lottery operators. It is played by millions of Australians each week hoping to win a life-changing amount of money.
How the Saturday Superdraw Lotto Works
The Saturday Superdraw Lotto is a standard 6/45 lottery draw. To play, you need to pick 6 numbers from 1 to 45. There is also an additional feature called the Superdraw, which takes place several times a year and offers even bigger jackpot prizes. Here is a quick overview of how it all works:
- Pick 6 numbers from 1 to 45 on your entry
- A Superdraw entry costs $1.10 per game
- Superdraw jackpots start at $20 million and roll over if not won
- Standard Saturday Lotto jackpots start at $4 million
- Drawn every Saturday night – numbers are drawn randomly
- Minimum jackpot is $4 million for Saturday Lotto, higher for Superdraws
- Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 8.14
You can buy entries in store at news agencies and lottery outlets using an entry coupon. Many people choose to play a “system” entry which auto-generates more number combinations to increase your chance of winning. You can also play online via the official website or using the smartphone app.
Superdraw Lotto Jackpots and Prize Levels
The main appeal of playing the Saturday Superdraw is the chance to win truly massive Australian lottery jackpots. Here’s a quick guide to the different prize levels:
- Division 1 – Match all 6 winning numbers to win the jackpot
- Division 2 – Match 5 winning numbers + the supplementary number
- Division 3 – Match 5 of the 6 winning numbers
- Division 4 – Match 4 of the 6 winning numbers
- Division 5 – Match 3 of the 6 winning numbers
- Division 6 – Match 2 of the 6 winning numbers
The estimated Division 1 prize pool starts at $4 million for standard Saturday Lotto draws. For Superdraws, the jackpot is boosted to $20 million and can grow into tens of millions based on rollovers. Even the lower division prizes can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Superdraws take place several times per year and are announced in advance by Tattersall’s. The record Australian lottery jackpot was a $110 million Powerball prize won by a Sydney woman in 2019.
Odds of Winning on the Saturday Superdraw
The overall odds of winning any prize on the Saturday Superdraw Lotto are 1 in 8.4. The chances increase if you play multiple games or a system entry. However, hitting the jackpot remains tough. Here are the estimated Division 1 odds:
| Number of Games | Chance of Winning Division 1 |
|---|---|
| 1 game | 1 in 8,145,060 |
| 10 games | 1 in 814,506 |
| 50 games | 1 in 162,901 |
| 100 games | 1 in 81,451 |
As you can see, the more entries you have, the better your chances become. But even 100 games only gives you around a 1 in 80,000 shot at the big one. The odds are long, but someone has to win eventually!
Biggest Saturday Superdraw Jackpots
The Saturday Superdraw has produced some truly mind-blowing Australian lottery prizes over the years. Here are some of the biggest Superdraw jackpots on record:
- $30 million – Won by a Sydney woman in May 2008
- $50 million – Won by a Queensland couple in June 2009
- $50 million – Won by a Victorian healthcare worker in July 2018
- $50 million – Won by a Queensland dad in April 2019
- $50 million – Won by a Sydney man in July 2020
As you can see, jackpots of $30 million or more are not uncommon, with multiple $50 million windfalls over the years. Even the regular Saturday Lotto draw can produce huge prizes – a $40 million jackpot was won by a Victorian couple in 2016.
Notable Saturday Superdraw Winners
The Saturday Superdraw has produced many multi-millionaire winners over the decades. Some of the more notable stories include:
- A healthcare worker who won $50 million in 2018 – she immediately quit her job to travel the world
- A Queensland dad who won $50 million in 2019 – he was suffering money troubles before his amazing win
- A Sydney man who won $50 million in 2020 – it was his first ever lotto ticket after being convinced to buy one
- A retired NSW couple who scored $70 million on Powerball – the man checked his ticket 17 times in disbelief
These stories show just how life-changing a big Superdraw win can be. Many winners are understandably overwhelmed when they discover a multi-million dollar prize in their account. While some winners wish to remain anonymous, others happily share their rags to riches tales.
How Superdraw Prize Money is Paid Out
For the lucky few who hit the Superdraw jackpot, how does the prize money get paid out? There are a couple of options:
- Annuity option – You receive the full prize spread out over several decades in annual payments. This protects against overspending.
- Lump sum – The whole amount is paid out in one go. Around 90% of winners choose the lump sum option.
With the lump sum option, the headline prize amount is not what you actually receive. Taxes have to come out first. For a $50 million prize, the winner would receive around $35 million in hand after tax deductions. This is still an incredible amount of money – enough to set you up for life if used wisely.
How to Play the Saturday Superdraw
Playing the Saturday Superdraw is easy. Just follow these steps when the next Superdraw jackpot is announced:
- Grab an entry coupon from a lottery retailer or newsagency
- Mark 6 numbers from 1 to 45 (or get a QuickPick for randomly generated numbers)
- Buy as many entries as you like to increase your chances
- Tune into the TV or radio station covering the draw on Saturday night
- Check your ticket immediately to see if you have won big!
You can also play online via the Tattersall’s website and smartphone app. This allows you to safely and conveniently buy entries online. Many people love the excitement of watching the Saturday night draw live and dreaming of a multi-million dollar win.
Can a Syndicate Win the Saturday Superdraw?
Yes, absolutely! Lottery syndicates or group player entries are a popular way to increase your chances on big jackpot draws like the Superdraw. This involves pooling money with a group of people to purchase more entries. Any prize money is then shared among the group if you win.
Notable syndicate wins on the Superdraw include:
- 16 hospital workers who won $16.7 million on a $33 entry in 2008
- 14 Melbourne bus drivers who scored $16.7 million on Superdraw in 2010
While the prize money is split, winning $1 million or more with a syndicate is still an amazing outcome. Syndicates allow you to effectively buy bulk entries for a better shot at the jackpot without breaking the bank.
Where Does Superdraw Lotto Money Go?
So where does all the money spent on Superdraw tickets actually go? Here’s the breakdown:
- 60% goes towards prize money across all divisions
- 25% goes to government consolidated revenue
- 15% goes to licensed lottery retailers as commission
From every $1 spent on tickets, 60 cents goes into the prize pool. This allows There are also taxes and commissions to be paid. While not every ticket can win, the aim is for around 60% of total revenue to be paid back out in prizes.
Saturday Superdraw vs Powerball Comparison
How does the Saturday Superdraw compare to Powerball, Australia’s other big lottery draw? Here is a quick comparison:
| Lottery Game | Saturday Superdraw | Powerball |
|---|---|---|
| Drawn | Every Saturday | Every Thursday |
| Starting Jackpot | $20 million (Superdraws only) | $3 million |
| Minimum Jackpot | $4 million | $3 million |
| Odds of Winning Division 1 | 1 in 8 million | 1 in 134 million |
| Record Jackpot | $50 million | $150 million |
As you can see, Powerball jackpots often grow higher. But the Saturday Superdraw has better overall odds of taking home a top prize. Both lotteries have made dozens of Australians instant millionaires over the years.
Should You Play the Saturday Superdraw Lotto?
Playing any lottery is always a gamble, but the Saturday Superdraw offers exciting jackpots. If you want a shot at millions for a small entry fee, then why not? Here are some tips for playing:
- Only spend what you can afford to lose
- Set a budget and stick to it
- Remember your chance of winning is very slim
- Never chase losses or bet money needed for living costs
- Have fun dreaming about what you’d do if you won big!
Approaching Superdraw with measured expectations and responsible spending is wise. It should be viewed as entertainment, not a way to make money. But someone has to win those huge jackpots, and the next multi-millionaire could be you!
Saturday Superdraw History and Records
The Saturday Superdraw has a long history in Australian lottery going back decades. Here are some key facts and figures:
- First launched in 1979 as the Saturday Lotto
- Introduced nationwide in 1984
- Superdraws with huge jackpots began in 1989
- 692 Superdraws have taken place to date
- Over 1,500 people have become millionaires playing Superdraw
- Record jackpot was $50 million won 4 times
- Around 1 in 5 Australians play Superdraw regularly
It’s clear Superdraw occupies a special place in Australian lottery culture. The multimillion-dollar jackpots capture attention across the country. Dreams of a life-changing prize keep millions coming back.
Controversies and Issues
While clearly popular, the Saturday Superdraw hasn’t been without its controversies over the years. These include:
- Claims of excessive gambling and lottery spending by the public
- Allegations winners are not adequately supported or prepared for large prizes
- Accusations advertising misleads people about their chances of winning
- Criticism profits mainly go to private operator Tattersall’s, not the wider public
- Arguments lottery spending worsens economic inequality
There are valid concerns over the social impacts of lotteries, gambling addiction and where revenue goes. Tattersall’s argues Superdraw gives ordinary Aussies a chance to win big and that advertising is not aimed at vulnerable groups.
Fun Facts About the Saturday Superdraw
- The number 45 has been the bonus ball (supplementary number) the most times – over 100 draws!
- The unluckiest numbers are 13, 21 and 34 – they are drawn the least
- The most common Division 1 winning numbers are 7, 11, 17, 18, 19, 22 and 41
- November is the most common month for Division 1 wins historically
- A man from Brisbane played the same numbers for 30 years before finally hitting the jackpot
These fun facts show even though Superdraw is totally random chance, there are some intriguing statistical quirks. While each number has an equal chance each draw, patterns do emerge over time.
Famous Australian Lottery Winners
Some of Australia’s biggest ever lottery winners found fortune on the Superdraw. They include:
- A Mackay couple who scored $70 million on OzLotto – a TV news crew was outside their house
- A man from Western Sydney who collected $107 million on Powerball
- Two Victorian workmates who shared $80 million on Powerball
- A grandmother from Lake Macquarie who won $50 million on a $13 Superdraw ticket
These jaw-dropping prizes show why Australians continue to dream of joining the winners list. Scoring nine-figure sums can transform lives in an instant.
Donation of Winnings
Some Saturday Superdraw winners over the years have made headlines by donating large amounts of their prize to charity. Examples include:
- A man who gave $800,000 to an animal shelter after scoring a $1 million win
- A woman donated $100,000 to her local hospital’s children’s ward
- A couple who gave over $1 million to firefighters after winning $20 million
- A farmer donated 10% of his $30 million prize to rural healthcare charities
These acts of generosity show money doesn’t always change people. Some winners are keen to give something back from their lucky windfall.
Conclusion
The Saturday Superdraw Lotto has provided Australians with dreams of instant riches for decades. The chance to win life-altering sums of money on the spin of a barrel will continue to captivate the public imagination. While hitting the jackpot is tough, someone has to win eventually.
Playing sensibly with measured expectations is important. But dreaming of what you’d do with millions of dollars is all part of the fun. You just never know when it might be your turn to hit the Superdraw and go from ordinary Aussie to multi-millionaire overnight.
