Casino
Aus. Mon & Wed Lotto
Australia's Monday and Wednesday Lotto is a twice-weekly draw game run by Lotterywest and participating state lottery operators. This guide explains the mechanics, prize structure, and odds you need to understand the game.
Monday and Wednesday nights
6/45 with supplementary balls
7 divisions
1 in 87 (any prize)
How the Game Works
Aus. Mon & Wed Lotto is a 6/45 game. You select six numbers from a pool of 1 to 45. On draw night, seven balls are drawn in total: six winning numbers, plus two supplementary balls.
The six main numbers determine divisions 1 through 5. The supplementary balls create divisions 6 and 7, allowing players who match five main numbers plus one supplementary number to win a prize.
You must match the exact numbers drawn, in any order. For example, a ticket with 5, 12, 18, 33, 41, 44 wins division 1 only if those six numbers are all drawn, regardless of the order in which the balls appear.
Prize Division Breakdown
The game uses a pari-mutuel prize pool structure, meaning actual division payouts depend on ticket sales and the number of winners in each division. However, the divisions themselves follow this structure:
Division 1: Match all 6 main numbers. This is the jackpot prize. The prize fund is split equally among all division 1 winners.
Division 2: Match 5 main numbers plus 1 supplementary. Prize fund divided among all division 2 winners.
Division 3: Match 5 main numbers.
Division 4: Match 4 main numbers plus 1 supplementary.
Division 5: Match 4 main numbers.
Division 6: Match 3 main numbers plus 1 supplementary.
Division 7: Match 3 main numbers.
Prize amounts vary with each draw. The lottery allocates a percentage of ticket revenue to each division; when more people win a division, the prize per winner decreases.
Draw Schedule and Timing
Draws occur every Monday and Wednesday at 8:30 PM (AEST). This makes Aus. Mon & Wed Lotto one of the most frequent weekly draws in Australia, with 104 draws per year.
Players must purchase tickets before the draw closes on the evening of the draw day. Cut-off times vary by retailer and online platform but typically occur 30 minutes before the official draw time.
Odds and Probability
Your chances of winning any prize in a single draw are 1 in 87. This accounts for all seven divisions combined.
The odds of winning the division 1 jackpot are 1 in 8,145,060. This is the probability of selecting all six correct numbers from the pool of 45.
Smaller prizes have better odds but lower payouts. Division 7, matching three numbers, occurs in roughly 1 in 97 draws per ticket. The overall odds of any prize reflect the weighted probability across all divisions.
Over many draws, the expected value of a ticket is negative. If the average division 1 jackpot is $1 million, and you buy one ticket per draw, your expected loss per ticket will be approximately 55-60% of the ticket cost, depending on the payout structure and tax treatment.
Syndicate Mathematics
Syndicates do not improve your odds of winning per share. However, they do allow you to cover more combinations with less capital per person. A 10-person syndicate buying 10 tickets has a 10 times higher chance of winning than a single ticket, but each member's share of the prize is divided by 10.
Syndicates reduce volatility. Instead of one member either winning big or losing the stake, all members share outcomes. From a pure probability perspective, syndicates change the distribution of returns, not the expected value per dollar wagered.
Regulatory Background and Operator
Aus. Mon & Wed Lotto is managed by state lottery operators in conjunction with Lotterywest (Western Australia). The game is regulated under Australian gambling laws, which differ by state. Each state's lottery division operates under its own licensing and compliance framework.
The game has run for several decades and maintains strict compliance with draw procedures, ticket sales, and prize distribution. Draws are audited and overseen by independent bodies to ensure integrity.
Retailers and online platforms offering tickets must be licensed and approved by the relevant state lottery operator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the main numbers and supplementary balls?
The six main balls determine divisions 1 through 5. The two supplementary balls are drawn after the main balls and are used only to create divisions 6 and 7. If you match five main numbers plus one supplementary number, you win division 2. If you match three main numbers plus one supplementary, you win division 6. The supplementary balls give players additional winning combinations without changing the core 6/45 selection.
Is Aus. Mon & Wed Lotto subject to tax in Australia?
Lottery prize winnings are not subject to income tax in Australia. Winners do not pay tax on any prize division. However, tax treatment may differ if you live in another jurisdiction and claim a prize on WickedBet. Consult a tax professional in your location for details specific to your circumstances.
Can I win division 1 without matching the supplementary balls?
Yes. Division 1 requires only that all six main numbers match. The supplementary balls are drawn separately and do not affect division 1. You win the jackpot if your ticket contains the six winning main numbers, regardless of whether the supplementary balls appear on your ticket.
What is the expected value of a Aus. Mon & Wed Lotto ticket?
The expected value is negative, meaning that over many draws, you will lose money. Lotteries are structured so that the operator retains a percentage of ticket sales (typically 40-55% in Australian lotteries). The remaining funds are split among prize divisions. The lower your stake relative to the average prize pool, the greater your expected loss per ticket. This is a feature of all lotteries, not a flaw of this particular game.
How often do draws occur?
Draws occur every Monday and Wednesday at 8:30 PM (AEST). This means 104 draws per calendar year. This twice-weekly frequency is standard for Aus. Mon & Wed Lotto across all participating state lottery operators.
Does the number of winners affect the prize I win?
Yes. The game uses a pari-mutuel structure. The lottery allocates a set amount to each prize division, but the actual prize per winner is determined by dividing that amount by the total number of winners in that division. If ten people match division 1 in the same draw, they share the division 1 prize pool equally. This means high-jackpot draws can produce smaller per-winner payouts if many tickets match.
