Links are not yet activated.
To activate, add a link back to submitpr.org from your website and contact @jaycosta on Telegram,
or pay via Solana (from $19.95) for instant activation.
The study combined a survey of lottery players across key international markets with analysis of historical draw data from major lotteries including Powerball, Mega Millions, EuroMillions, EuroJackpot, Lotto 6/49 and Spain's Christmas Lottery. Researchers found that 64% of players primarily choose numbers based on personal dates and significant life events, compared to just 11% who actively use lottery statistics or historical number frequency analysis when selecting their entries.
The findings highlight a growing disconnect between the vast amount of lottery data available online and the numbers players actually choose.
Millions of Draws Analysed
World of Lotteries maintains a database of historical lottery results covering major lotteries from around the world. Analysis of these draws shows that, over the long term, all lottery numbers tend to appear with broadly similar frequency, as would be expected in random games of chance.
However, player behaviour tells a different story.
The survey found:
64% choose birthdays, anniversaries or other meaningful dates
18% use randomly generated Quick Pick numbers
11% use lottery statistics, hot numbers or frequency analysis
7% use personal systems, lucky numbers or other methods
In addition:
72% have played the same number combination for at least three years
45% say they would be reluctant to change their regular numbers
41% worry their numbers could finally win if they stopped playing them
38% describe their chosen numbers as having sentimental or family significance
Data Available, But Emotion Prevails
A spokesperson for World of Lotteries said:
"We analyse historical lottery results every day and have seen enormous growth in interest around number frequency analysis, hot numbers, cold numbers and statistical trends. What surprised us was how little influence that data appears to have on the actual choices many players make."
They added:
"People have access to decades of lottery results at the click of a button. Yet most continue to rely on birthdays, anniversaries and meaningful life dates. The emotional connection to certain numbers remains incredibly powerful."
The Birthday Number Effect
One of the most striking findings concerns what lottery analysts often refer to as the 'Birthday Number Effect'.
Because birthdays fall between 1 and 31, players choosing personal dates tend to favour lower numbers. In lotteries where numbers can extend far beyond 31, a significant proportion of available numbers are therefore selected less frequently by date-based players.
According to World of Lotteries' analysis, this behaviour has remained remarkably consistent across multiple countries, lotteries and decades of draw history.
The spokesperson explained:
"The lottery balls themselves don't know whether a number is a birthday or not. Every valid number has the same chance of appearing in a draw. Yet human behaviour consistently pushes players towards familiar dates and significant memories."
Regional Trends
The research also identified cultural differences in number selection.
United Kingdom
UK players were among the most likely to stick with long-established numbers, often linked to wedding anniversaries, birthdays and long-held family traditions.
Ireland
Irish respondents placed particularly high value on numbers they considered personally lucky, with many reporting that they had used the same selections for years.
Dubai
Among expats living in Dubai, home-country connections played a strong role. Many players reported continuing to use lottery numbers chosen before moving abroad, often linked to family members living overseas.
Spain
Spanish respondents showed a strong influence from family traditions and shared lottery participation, particularly around major seasonal draws.
United States
American players were more likely to use Quick Picks and experiment with statistics, although birthdays remained the single most popular source of lottery numbers overall.
Why Players Refuse to Change
Perhaps the most fascinating finding was players' reluctance to abandon familiar numbers.
Many respondents admitted they no longer remember why they originally chose certain numbers but continue playing them year after year out of habit and fear of missing out.
"For many people, lottery numbers become more than numbers," said the World of Lotteries spokesperson. "They represent children, weddings, anniversaries, homes and important memories. From a mathematical standpoint, every combination carries the same odds. Emotionally, however, some numbers simply feel luckier than others."
About World of Lotteries
WorldofLotteries.com is a global lottery information and analytics platform providing international lottery results, jackpot updates, historical draw archives and advanced statistical analysis across major lottery games worldwide.
The platform maintains an extensive database of historical lottery results and offers users tools to explore number frequencies, recurring combinations, hot and cold numbers, overdue numbers and long-term draw trends. Alongside its analytics services, World of Lotteries delivers real-time lottery results, global jackpot news and free results-by-email notifications to subscribers, helping lottery fans stay informed about the world's biggest draws.