National Lottery instant win online games. Are they a waste of time?
Posted by MrAlexander18@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 43 comments
I had some money spare so instead of buying a few scratch cards, I decided to buy some numbers for euro millions and then with the rest, I played a few online instant games.
I put down about £20 on the instant games and initially got back £45, but then it got addictive and I went further, eventually losing it all. This is probably proof enough it is a waste of money, but I suppose there's always that chance you can win big. It is tempting.
Your thoughts?
JoeDaStudd@reddit
The odds are always in the betting companies favour otherwise they wouldn't be in business.
ianjm@reddit
The main exception is Poker, which is the only game that isn't tilted towards the house winning, because you're playing other people not the Casino itself. The sites (and real casinos) still take a bite of each pot (called the rake) but they don't give a toss if you take £200 off Maureen and Dennis so long as they get their 10% of it. Doing that actually requires skill though.
All other games, including Blackjack (where a perfect strategy is nearly-but-not-quite evens), Craps, Roulette, and of course straight up video poker and lotteries and bingo, always have the 'house' with an edge.
Sports betting is a little different again because you can use your knowledge of the sport and the form of the teams (or players, or horses) involved to gain an advantage in some circumstances.
Motor-Season9344@reddit
Better is blackjack where you all play the house.
ianjm@reddit
Blackjack is statistically unwinnable over the long term even with perfect strategy. The House has a 0.5% edge.
East-Apartment1128@reddit
I used to sit in on the freeroll games I loved the look of the game, but you could say I was "crap" at it. I just never got the hang of it because I was always 1st out!
East-Apartment1128@reddit
I wanna be a bookie :))lol
In the past few weeks I have won £5 or £6 and numerous free lotto for next draws. I dare not change my numbers in case they come up and there is no way I could forget them!
My son maintains, that if your luck's in, you will win with one line.
Granted he hasn't won yet.
Motor-Season9344@reddit
I think they have their algorithms set to give you some wins initially and then drain your dry
LegitimateSwim8471@reddit
As someone who likes to gamble I would say this is the worst type I have done. You pay £5 for an instant and then are relieved to only win your £5 back, so really it's just wasting your time clicking a button to see some basic animation. It's the same with all scratch cards irl too. I would say avoid them. Stick £2.5 e/w on a horse with huge odds. 1st it's a lot more entertaining and 2nd you have the chance to win more than you paid. Just my opinion GL and hope you all beat the house
ActApprehensive6289@reddit
I played an instant win, didnt win (shocker) and decided to play the same game again... strangely i ended up playing the exact same game twice... i.e the exact same outcome, with the exact same numbers/options showing on the same game, i figured it must have been a glitch and tried going into my play history to check it out, but was then put into another game... im not sure who to complain/raise it to as there isnt anything on the app/website. Has anyone else had this issue?
Working-Lake-108@reddit
I’ve just played £25 million extravaganza on the lottery online game, I needed a 15 on the third game to win. on the bonus game the 15 came up, it the went through all three games adding the two bonus numbers to each game and the 15 from the third was no longer there! Has anyone else experienced the games changing the outcome?
OrdinaryStretch4431@reddit
Yes agree with this it does it on monopoly and rolls a number then stops one short of the number rolled. Its definitely rigged
Neat_Ad7527@reddit
I play instant win games on the lottery app every other day. Only £3 here and £2 there. In the year I've probably spent a hundred or two. For every 20 I stick on I probably get £5 back. If you want to gamble for a chance at winning anything considerable. Id avoid lottery instant win games. There's certainly a huge noticeable difference between returns from traditional instant win platforms and the national lottery. Recently the lottery app had a "huge technology update" what they really did was decrease your odds further to accumulate more profit. If you're going to scam yourself out of your money for a chance of a better life. I highly recommend you try it elsewhere.
Also. I have never won anything more than £18. Which I won from gambling £10.
Low_Sheepherder_8807@reddit
You did win, you won £45, the problem is you didn't stop while you where ahead! And this is how they get you, cause they know after any kind of win you will find it almost impossible to stop, casinos use the same tactics.
Common_Mention_7116@reddit
The Lottery is owned by a Russian Billionaire who also owns GAZPROM and has links to Putin, we could have had a non profit organization in Richard Branson running the lottery but NO its run by a dodgy Russian so don't expect to win.
Also why increase the odds of winning ? does it matter if people win is'nt that the point, so why make it more difficult , there is only one reason and that's corruption. Larger Pots and no knows who wins anymore. They can also produce their own ticket if no one else really wins. everything is fixable, the lottery has been going for over 45years and there's now more ways to win millions but do you know any winners coz i sure don't . most i have won is £20.
Willick99@reddit
Hey I know it’s an old post but been getting into the instant win games and I think it’s just a bit scummy in my opinion with how the odds are displayed, since the odds of winning are the lowest prize but is always what you put in so essentially it not odds of winning it’s odds of not losing money. For all we know the odds of winning £500 in one game can be the same as the £10000 win on others and it’s clearly displayed that way to entice you. I mean it’s fair play but just kinda pisses you off when that 1 in 2.6 odds means fuck all. I’ve played around 200 games In the span of many months and never won anything over a fiver so feels dodgy to me. I mean I think you can still win big but it’s just very deceptive in how it reels you in. Thats the lotto for ya
Wooden-Conflict-4811@reddit
I don’t think you can win big big at all… not unless you match up to their standards it wants to know your address for one that should be optional but they don’t want like migrants winning and shit so if your adress isn’t set to like a private house. You and getting shit. And that’s only 1 example. I swear to god I just won £100,000 and then it immediately changed numbers like the spin landed on my number I won the jackpot and then it gained more speed and changed. Fucking bills hit and I’ve deleted the app glad I spend nothing more then £20 ever
Ok_Cat_4635@reddit
I've thought this about the lottery. That they won't want really poor area winning. I'm on a council estate and thought I'd be better off buying a ticket from shop as then they don't know who's bought it. I remember getting 3 numbers * a bonus ball once on euro amd was annoyed to find out I won less money for getting 3+1 than if I'd just got 3 numbers.. funny how since then 3+1 should be more money . Really shitty practice
Ok_Cat_4635@reddit
Agree total scam. For every 300 you lose, you might get a whopping £25 win. I don't think for a second they're legit. I just switched from monopoly riches to gold and all I need was 1 red card and the £100 row would've been complete and they were right there for next land on dice of course it lands on Chance card in between and sends me to a different colour square. I think it's a con thay on the Gold. Those cards aren't giving out prizes in itself and just sending you else where when even real monopoly jas them cards pay up. Usually, if I lose too much, I won't go on site for 6months to even play lotto. But I'm done with the insta games now lost a fortune in just a couple weeks. Like you said you don't actually win. You just get your money back, which isn't winning. I've noticed it's the same pattern on starting dice too on MRiches, always a X 5 number so it lands u on a train station. Every single start of the game. As long as the odd 1 doesn't do that, you tend to win . The other games have never paid up even back what I put in. Too addictive with worse odds than the lottery & cost more per play. Not worth it
stickyjam@reddit
That's why people play.
The lotto website gives you all the odds on each game. They're just that odds, they could give your exact win ratio i.e. 1 win in 5 for example. You could win the first 10, you could equally lose the first 10, you could only ever win the small prizes.
My personal opinion, everything in moderation, if you like to buy an occasional ticket for the euromils and live for the dream win, knock yourself out. However the odds to the win the Jackpot are an incredible 1 in 139,838,160, the odds of winning a prize are 1 in 13!. Though your small prize will usually be smaller than the value of 13 tickets, so on average you will lose.
Entire_Locksmith_256@reddit
My natural luck is always so bad that I'd be scared of the cosmic karma I'd need pay back if I won lottery... I'd ended up locking myself away like the protagonists in Final Destination.. Scared everything will kill me 😅
Entire_Locksmith_256@reddit
I do this all the time too then stop. Tbh ive noticed there's certain days that guarantee a win pretty much right a way and for a couple of goes so started cashing out right away now as lost to much but today I got urge bored to play even though I knew it wasn't a day they usually win. Told myself I'd just play one , ended up playing and losing about ul8 games 😅.. I need stop it . Lol
Datamat0410@reddit
Many, many people do play these games. It’s only a scam until you win. All of us want to believe we will win big. Many of us would be quite bloody happy winning like £5k or 10k!
Yeah, but in reality, most of us obviously won’t ever win big. That’s destiny, although it’s not known. I guess that’s the fun of it, or the pain of it.
East-Apartment1128@reddit
You have my sympathy. We have all been there..you think today must be my Lucky Day, but it would be Lucky if the "golden carrot" wasn't dangled. Oddly enough I had just posted this to no one in particular, when I saw your post.
Let me add it here:
Here's a Free Tip for today. Don't fall for all that "big bonanza payout" games if you play small stakes. You will be playing your last twenty pound, plus lord knows how many small wins back, as you see your Golden Pot bursting' at the seams, then WHAM!!..you HIT the Jackpot which pays out a measly £1.75..you can go to bed poorer but wiser, take my Tip of the Day for Free..
holddoorholddoor@reddit
I play occasionally, they’re rigged for sure. I tried a new game because I knew I’d probably win back what I paid - low and behold.. I won my 50p back 3 times in a row 2 of which the winning matching number was 16 and in the same place.
I know that it’s usually a waste of money but I still play but I’m just very strict with how much I put in. There’s one called Prize Red Ball - it’s 25p if you play 2-3 games in a row you’ll start to win 25p, 75p and 50p but never bigger prizes, only enough to keep you playing.
redditnumptea@reddit
Just about to ditch the lottery app and upgrade my gambling to stocks and shares.
Swimming_Spare_91@reddit
So I bought a £5.00 1 million cash prize scratch on line . During my online game I was award two cash prizes. Was over the moon until I claimed them .,the first was 50p followed by 50p . what an absolute joke ... 50p ..neither mind once but twice .. advertised as a million pound cash prize .What a joke .. absolutely disgusting!! They should be disgusted with them selves didn,t even win my fiver back and I won twice . There so quick to tell you that one person has won the jackpot but never tell you how millions of people haven't won . Sheer greed!! Shame on you !!
ChampionshipSlow9511@reddit
I played £30 on the scratch cards on the uk lottery website on the £5 games and won nothing 6 scratch cards and sorry better luck next time it’s the 1st and last time I will ever play them
Pretend-Bad1992@reddit
Absolute waste of time in my experience, small prizes to keep you coming back and to lose it all. It really shouldn't be legal
Highlight-Plastic@reddit
Very first time I played I won 60 quid. Never won anything over £2s after. Probably spent 100 all together and win 2 pound here and there
Most-Willingness2593@reddit
I generally spend about £10 a month. Today I won £30 after playing one £5 game, so withdrew £35 and called it a day
PauseWest2371@reddit
Don't know
NoCanDooo2@reddit
They're an absolute scam.
I was playing a £5 game. I won £45, then kept playing the same game. Lost some, won some, but got it to +£85. Then stopped winning. Literally played 4 on the trot not even a £5 back. I stopped playing. Went back on about a week later with £65 still in account. Played 5 more times. Not even a £5. So I'd played about 10 goes on the and won nothing. Like £50 worth of games and not even a £5 back. I was pissed off, but I'd not lost anything as I was still up from my original £5 bet. Left it a few weeks played again twice and still not even a £5. That's 12 £5 goes on the trot with nothing.
It was clearly trying to recoup the money that it lost. I don't do them anymore as it's clearly a scam. It won't let you build up your money in small wins. Fuck you national lottery
Gloomy_Minimum_3034@reddit
Old topic, but I've played a fair amount of instant win games with one in particular, cash bolt millionaire.
This Saturday I had a £10 left in my account so decided to have another go at what was my favourite one. I didn't win so just shut down the app, the next day I decided to have another go with the remaining £5 but before I could I had to replay the previous card as I had not fully finished, already knowing I had lost I played the card and watched the same game unfold in a loss. After completing it properly I purchased the same Cash bolt one again and spent my last £5 only to play the exactly same game as the previous one! surely that's not random or do they only have a set number of losing combinations?
Either way my days of playing instant win games are done.
Critical_City6553@reddit
Trying to collect your winnings has been quite the choir. I am trying to withdraw $290 and it's been a week so far and nobody has reviewed my request. They will take your money right away but act of congress to collect. I'm done if I GET IT BACK
Luk3b3zza@reddit
In my experience, yes, a complete waste of time and money. OK, the games are fun, but at most, I only won the money back that I spent on a game. £150 the most I won on one game was £20, Minus my £5 entree fee £15 in my bank.
The lottery app doesn't give you any offers or bonuses when you sign up, unlike other betting companies, so imo, avoid them for online games. You can have more fun with free coins on better games and still win money, so stick to doing the lottery with camelot. When it comes to online games, do your research and grab the best offers available. I'm lazy and pay the price.
MisterCoolKat@reddit
national lottery slogan - throw it in the bin because you won't win!!
No_Extreme6525@reddit
It's rigged for sure. Watch the numbers that show up on the left. You will often get the exact same set of numbers, with the exact same outcome. Do not waste your money on these unless you don't mind losing it all.
There is no "luck" involved - consider it the same as a deck of cards, only there's 40 jokers, and the rest are low cards. It is impossible to win anything more than 3 times the value of the game. Even when you do win, you will 75% of the time only be getting back you stake, so you win nothing more than a free game.
ForwardAd7756@reddit
Its not stupid to spend some money for fun. I play instant games for years now following simple rules .I play only one game sunday and no matter lose or win i play only next week another one . Last year i had spend 15 pounds for entire year 2022. And this year its even better i pay only 5 pounds and right now i had 45 left in my account. It's funny
No_Location_8033@reddit
Its all rigged and designed to make you lose in an enticing way, like leaving you one ball off the jackpot or needing that last square tile to turn over for 50k but it ends up landing on a 1p. Rigged to the core, they give you little wins like 1 or 2 quid then entice you back in to use it...
pineapplesaltwaffles@reddit
Yeah they have more control about how you win on the online games. If you buy a lottery ticket it's pure chance but to stay in line with their legal odds they just have to pay out on average a certain percentage of the time. This means they can make sure you win more often than average at the beginning to make you feel good, so then when you start losing you keep playing to regain that winning streak you had right off the bat. My tip would be to stop playing as soon as you lose two in a row.
For example, I've played maybe 30 of that 25p one in the last few weeks. Odds are 1 in 2.85. I made a profit on the first 5/6 games, won every other for the next 5/6 (so broke even) and lost every obe since. Legally I only have to win every 10 games in 28 so they can afford to front load those do you get used to winning.
They can also make you feel like you've "almost" won. Ie, the ball will "only just" miss the slot, the numbers that come up will be adjacent to yours or you'll get three of the same symbol in a row when you need four. You feel like you were so close to winning when in reality losing is losing, whether you were artificially "close" or not. They do this trick on scratch cards too.
They don't have any control over these kind of things on lottery draws, reckon I'll just stick to those.
No_Location_8033@reddit
Yup cudnt agree more, 90% of my online games have been 1 away from big jackpot or just missed the last icon i need, fortunately im good at seeing patterns and when something is dodgy or wrong so i quit very early as soon as i recognised this obvious scam
vharitha@reddit
It depends.
MarionberryOwn4054@reddit
Hey there! I've tried those National Lottery instant win online games, and they can be pretty fun. The odds of winning can vary, but it's all about luck,so don't expect to win big every time. I've used this lottery app before, and I won a few small prizes, but it's more about the excitement than guaranteeing a big win.