10 Things More Likely than Winning the Lottery

What Are My Odds?

11/11/2022

Most people have played the lottery at least once, and the thought of instantly becoming a millionaire by spending just £2 appeals to a lot of people. 

It may seem worth it, but we suspect you won't feel the same way after reading this list of things that are more likely than winning the lotto.


The Lottery

The Euromillions is one of the most played lotteries in the world. With between 80 to 100 million people purchasing a ticket for a EuroMillions draw each week, the life-changing jackpot seems near impossible to obtain.

In order to win, players need to match all five main numbers and both lucky star numbers. So with each play, you only have a 1 in 139,838,160 chance of getting the top prize. 

Do you regularly play the lottery? How much have you won? How much have you spent? 

If you ask someone who regularly buys lottery tickets if they have ever won a lottery, they are likely to say yes, they will remember the amount, how amazing it was, and they will be able to tell you everything about that day. 

But it's also extremely possible that if you ask them how much money they've spent on the lottery in their lives and compare it to what they've won, they'll be stumped. Not to add that what they have received is merely a fraction of what is being promoted as "the grand prize".

Lotteries know how our selective memory works, which is one of many things we should keep in mind before playing, as is the following list of ludicrous things that are more likely than winning the lottery.

 

Living to 100 

Probability: 1 in 4

It's shocking to learn that the chance of living to 100 or even longer is higher than winning the lottery. 

One in four babies born nowadays will live to be 100 years old. Some studies indicate that the probability of living more than 110 years is one in 50,000, especially for women who typically outlive men. So, instead of striving to win the lottery, it would be preferable to begin looking for hobbies to take up your time!


Finding a four-leaf clover

Probability: 1 in 10,000

It's well known that you will be blessed with good fortune if you find a four-leaf clover. 

What are the chances of you finding one? The chances are pretty slim, 1 in 10,000. Nonetheless, you are nearly 14,000 times more likely to come across a 4-leaf clover than winning the lottery. 

 

Become an Olympic athlete

Probability 1 in 500,000

We all know that being born with sporting ability is one of many requirements that can bring you closer to winning an Olympic medal. 

Becoming a great athlete involves discipline, training, hard work, conviction and effort. 

Yet, the chances of becoming an Olympic athlete are 1 in 500,000.

But, when you think about it, training for the Olympics is still more likely than winning the lottery - in fact, it's 90 times more likely. It might be wiser to take up sport than try your luck at guessing a few numbers.

 

Being hit by a meteorite

Probability: 1 in 700,000

According to researchers, on average, one meteorite falls to earth each year. 

Normally this incredible "fireball" disintegrates before it hits the surface, or it's burnt down and reduced to a size that cannot cause harm.

However, as rare as it may be, sometimes they get through our atmosphere, and the chance of being hit by one of these rocks is one in 700,000.


Become a Movie Star

Probability: 1 in 1,505,000

Have you ever dreamed of being a movie star?

The bad news is that the odds of making it to stardom are 1 in 1,505,000. The good news is that it's almost 100 times more likely than winning the lottery; a flight to Hollywood could be a better investment.


Become a Billionaire

Probability 1 in 2,800,000

While bumping into a billionaire isn't exactly commonplace. Out of a total population of nearly 8 billion, there are 2,775 billionaires. 

What are your chances of becoming a billionaire and being part of this very exclusive group of people? 1 in 2,867,513. Still far more likely than only winning a fraction of a billion on the lottery.


Being struck by lightning

Probability:1 in 10,000,000

Being struck by lightning is, as we all know, unlikely. Experts have concluded that the chances of being struck by lightning are 1 in 10,000,000. And yet you are much more likely to be struck by lightning than to win the lottery.


Getting attacked by a shark

Probability: 1 in 11,500,000

Even if you regularly swim in the sea, the chance of being attacked by a shark is still very low. 

Sharks tend to be placid creatures who keep to themselves, unlike what many movies have led us to believe. The chance of being attacked by one of them is 1 in 11.5 million.


Having identical quadruplets. 

Probability 1 in 15,000,000

While the chances of twins are low, the chances of identical quadruplets are even lower: 1 in 15 million. And wouldn't you know it, you're still more likely to have quadruplets than win the lottery!


Becoming a saint. 

Probability 1 in 22,000,000

The average person has a one in 22 million chance of being made a saint or canonised by the Pope as it’s known.

 

The House Always Wins

Ever wonder how there are so many casinos? Because the odds are stacked against the player, the house ALWAYS wins. 

It's not just the lottery that has some awful chances of winning. Slot machine odds are some of the worst, with odds as low as one in about 34 million chance of winning the top prize when using the maximum coin play. 

With so many "opportunities" to become a millionaire, it can be challenging to resist the urge for one more ticket or one more spin. Gamban can help remove that temptation and block you from all online gambling. You can try Gamban for free today.

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