Lottery vs Casino: Where Are the Odds Really Better?

The lottery is seen as harmless, the casino as risky. Mathematically it is closer to the opposite, at least in payout rate. A comparison in numbers.

Lotto 6 aus 49. The chance of six numbers plus the bonus number is 1 in 139,838,160. Without it, 1 in 13,983,816. Around half of all stakes go back as prizes, a payout rate of roughly 50 %.

Roulette. In European roulette the chance of a single number is 1 in 37. The payout rate is 97.3 %, the house edge 2.7 %.

Blackjack. With perfect basic strategy the house edge is about 0.5 % depending on rules, a payout rate of around 99.5 %.

Slots. In Germany payout rates are usually lower than internationally because of the stake tax, often in the range of 85 to 94 %. The figure is in each slot's game info.

What it means. Per euro staked you lose about 50 cents on average in the lottery and 2.7 cents at roulette. In return the lottery offers a life-changing prize for a tiny stake. It is a different product.

The catch with casinos. Because the house edge is small, people play many rounds and turn their money over repeatedly. Playing 100 euros through roulette 50 times means 5,000 euros wagered and an average loss of 135 euros.

Bottom line. Per stake the casino is cheaper than the lottery. Per hour it can be much more expensive. What matters is not just the payout rate but how often you recycle your money.