Lotto 6aus49
Germany's oldest national lottery. Six main numbers from 1 to 49, plus a supplementary ball. Draws twice per week. This guide covers the mechanics, prize tiers, odds, and the maths behind your stake.
Wednesday and Saturday
6 from 49 + 1 Superzahl
Deutscher Lotto- und Totoblock
1955
How 6aus49 Works
You pick six numbers between 1 and 49. The lottery also draws one supplementary number, called the Superzahl, from 0 to 9. The Superzahl is independent and acts as a tiebreaker or prize-tier modifier.
Draws happen every Wednesday at 18:25 CET and Saturday at 19:25 CET. The lottery uses a mechanical ball machine.
Matching numbers determines your prize tier. The Superzahl either boosts your tier or creates a new one. For example, matching all six main numbers plus the Superzahl places you in the top tier. Matching all six without it places you one tier lower.
Prize Tiers and Odds
Lotto 6aus49 uses nine prize tiers. Each tier requires a minimum match count and Superzahl condition.
Tier 1 (jackpot): All six main numbers plus Superzahl. Odds: 1 in 140,000,000. Jackpot rolls if no winner emerges.
Tier 2: All six main numbers, no Superzahl. Odds: 1 in 15,500,000.
Tier 3: Five main numbers plus Superzahl. Odds: 1 in 530,000.
Tier 4: Five main numbers, no Superzahl. Odds: 1 in 59,000.
Tier 5: Four main numbers plus Superzahl. Odds: 1 in 132,000.
Tier 6: Four main numbers, no Superzahl. Odds: 1 in 14,700.
Tier 7: Three main numbers plus Superzahl. Odds: 1 in 11,000.
Tier 8: Three main numbers, no Superzahl. Odds: 1 in 1,200.
Tier 9: Two main numbers plus Superzahl. Odds: 1 in 490.
Overall odds of winning any prize: approximately 1 in 54. Prize amounts vary per draw based on ticket sales and player distribution (pari-mutuel system).
Expected Value and Stake Mathematics
Lotto 6aus49 returns roughly 50 percent of stakes to winners across all tiers. The remainder funds operator costs, retailer commissions, and German state budgets. This means the mathematical expectation per euro wagered is around 0.50 euros in prize returns.
The jackpot tier carries the lowest statistical return because it occurs so rarely (1 in 140 million) that most players never win it. Small-prize tiers (three or four number matches) generate more frequent wins but smaller payouts.
Syndicate play does not change odds or expected value. It divides the stake and any prize across multiple people. Ten players splitting a ticket each reduce individual stake to 10 percent and any prize to 10 percent.
History and Operator
Lotto 6aus49 launched on October 3, 1955, in West Germany. It became the first modern German lottery game and remains the most popular.
The Deutscher Lotto- und Totoblock (German Lottery and Sports Betting Block) operates the game. This is a consortium of 16 regional lottery companies across Germany. The operator holds a license from the individual German states. Each state has its own regulator, but the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (Federal Tax Office) oversees national compliance.
Draws are public and published immediately. Results post on official state lottery sites and news outlets within minutes of the draw finish.
Tax Treatment in Germany
Prize winnings from Lotto 6aus49 are tax-free for the player in Germany. The lottery operator does not withhold income tax or other levies from prizes.
Winnings do count as income for tax purposes if you regularly play and win as a business activity. This is uncommon and applies only to professional players or syndicates that operate commercially. Casual players face no reporting obligation.
German residents should check their own country's tax laws when playing from abroad. Non-residents may face different withholding rules depending on their jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Superzahl and how does it work?
The Superzahl is a single number drawn from 0 to 9 after the six main numbers. It acts as a multiplier or separator across prize tiers. Matching all six main numbers plus the Superzahl wins the jackpot (Tier 1). Matching all six without the Superzahl wins Tier 2, a much lower prize. The Superzahl also creates its own tier: matching only two main numbers plus the Superzahl still qualifies for Tier 9. This structure guarantees more frequent small wins.
How often does the jackpot roll without a winner?
When no player matches all six main numbers plus the Superzahl in a draw, the Tier 1 prize rolls to the next draw. Tier 1 can accumulate over several weeks. Caps exist: once the jackpot reaches a certain level (typically 100 million euros), the next draw must allocate prizes even if no Tier 1 match occurs. The unclaimed amount then distributes to Tier 2 or gets held for future draws per state rules.
What are the odds of winning any prize at all?
The overall odds of matching at least two main numbers plus the Superzahl (the minimum winning condition) are 1 in 54. This includes all nine tiers. You have a 1 in 490 chance of the smallest prize (Tier 9: two numbers plus Superzahl) and much longer odds for higher tiers. These figures assume a single ticket per draw.
How is prize money calculated if multiple winners share a tier?
Lotto 6aus49 uses a pari-mutuel system. The total prize pool for each tier is fixed as a percentage of overall sales. If multiple players win the same tier, the tier's total prize divides equally among them. A large jackpot with two winners means each winner receives half. This is why advertised jackpots vary: they depend on previous draws' sales and the number of winners in each tier.
When did Lotto 6aus49 start and who regulates it?
Lotto 6aus49 began on October 3, 1955, making it West Germany's first modern national lottery. The Deutscher Lotto- und Totoblock operates it as a consortium of 16 regional state lottery companies. Each German state's lottery regulator oversees compliance within its territory. The Bundeszentralamt für Steuern coordinates national rules. Draws are public and audited.
Do I have to pay tax on a Lotto 6aus49 win in Germany?
No. Prize winnings from Lotto 6aus49 are tax-free for players in Germany. The lottery operator does not withhold taxes. Casual players have no reporting obligation. Tax rules apply only if you operate as a professional lottery player or commercial syndicate, which is rare. Non-German residents should verify their own country's tax laws, as some jurisdictions tax lottery winnings earned abroad.
