Austria Lotto

Game Mechanics: Pick and Draw Structure

Austria Lotto uses a 6/45 matrix. Players select six numbers from 1 to 45. A seventh number, called the bonus ball or Zusatzzahl, is drawn from the remaining balls.

The draw takes place twice per week: Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Both draws use the same pool of 45 balls.

The bonus ball does not replace any of the six main numbers. It exists separately and determines whether a player hits certain prize tiers. A player who matches five of the six main numbers plus the bonus ball lands a different prize tier than a player who matches five main numbers without the bonus.

Draws are conducted by Österreichische Lotterien under Austrian gambling regulation.

Prize Tiers and Odds

Austria Lotto has seven prize divisions. The structure uses the six main numbers and the bonus ball to define each tier.

Tier 1 (Jackpot): Six correct main numbers. No bonus ball required. Odds of 1 in 8,145,060.

Tier 2: Five correct main numbers plus the bonus ball. Odds of 1 in 1,357,510.

Tier 3: Five correct main numbers without the bonus ball. Odds of 1 in 34,808.

Tier 4: Four correct main numbers plus the bonus ball. Odds of 1 in 11,927.

Tier 5: Four correct main numbers without the bonus ball. Odds of 1 in 305.

Tier 6: Three correct main numbers plus the bonus ball. Odds of 1 in 705.

Tier 7: Three correct main numbers without the bonus ball. Odds of 1 in 45.

The probability of winning any prize at all sits at approximately 1 in 12. The jackpot prize grows through a rollover mechanism when no ticket matches all six numbers.

Draw Schedule and Timing

Austria Lotto draws occur every Wednesday and Saturday. Draw times are fixed and announced in advance by the operator.

Results are published immediately after the draw closes. Players can verify tickets through the official Österreichische Lotterien website or authorized retailers.

Ticket sales typically close 30 to 60 minutes before each draw. The exact cutoff is set by the retailer or online channel.

Expected Value and Odds Context

The overall probability of winning any prize is roughly 1 in 12. This means a player needs to buy 12 tickets, on average, to hit one prize of any kind.

The expected value of a single ticket depends on the current jackpot. When the jackpot is small, tickets carry negative expected value. When the jackpot rolls over and grows, the EV gap narrows but remains negative for most prize splits.

A syndicate (group) of players can reduce per-person cost but does not change the odds of any individual combination. If a syndicate ticket wins, the prize is divided equally among members. This is a cost-sharing mechanism, not an odds improvement.

The house edge in Austria Lotto is built into the prize pool design. A fixed percentage of ticket revenue goes to prizes, with the remainder distributed to the state, retailers, and the operator.

Taxation in Austria

Austria does not levy a national income tax on lottery winnings. Prizes from Austria Lotto are paid tax-free to the winner.

However, winners must declare the win to local authorities for administrative purposes. The structure varies by state (Bundesland), but tax obligations on the prize itself are minimal or nonexistent for residents.

Non-residents of Austria may face different tax treatment depending on their home country's laws. Tax treaties between Austria and other nations determine final liability.