Authorities investigate lottery results in South Africa: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
An unusual sequence of numbers drawn in South Africa's national lottery left bettors stunned and raised accusations of fraud after 20 people split the prize. The winning numbers were 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, as the "jackpot," on Tuesday night, the 1st.
According to the South African National Lottery Commission (NLC), 20 lucky bettors won approximately R$2 million each. Another 79 won around R$3 for guessing the sequence correctly but missing the jackpot.
“Congratulations to the 20 winners of tonight’s draw,” tweeted the South African lottery. “These numbers may be unexpected, but we noticed that many bettors played this sequence.”
Most South Africans, however, did not accept the result. Perplexed, many took to social media to complain and accuse the lottery of being fraudulent.
The odds of winning the South African lottery are 1 in 42.375.200 – the number of different combinations when selecting five balls from a total of 50, plus one bonus ball, the “jackpot”.
“The lottery is proving to be a farce,” one Twitter user posted. “Twenty winners? No way that’s a coincidence,” wrote another. Some called for an investigation similar to the one opened during the nine-year term of former President Jacob Zuma.
The NLC said the combination of six consecutive numbers is unprecedented and promised to review the draw. NLC spokesperson Ndivhuho Mafela said the commission will conduct a review and, “if there is anything wrong, we will reveal it.” “We have already started the review process.”
Experts said that the odds of winning sequences are the same as any other combination. According to them, the fact that there are multiple winners may be related to the sequence itself, ranging from 5 to 10.
While it's not uncommon for two players to split the jackpot, multiple winners are extremely rare. In March 2003, 33 players split the jackpot, according to a South African results tracking website.The State of São Paulo (Source: AFP)
According to the South African National Lottery Commission (NLC), 20 lucky bettors won approximately R$2 million each. Another 79 won around R$3 for guessing the sequence correctly but missing the jackpot.
“Congratulations to the 20 winners of tonight’s draw,” tweeted the South African lottery. “These numbers may be unexpected, but we noticed that many bettors played this sequence.”
Most South Africans, however, did not accept the result. Perplexed, many took to social media to complain and accuse the lottery of being fraudulent.
The odds of winning the South African lottery are 1 in 42.375.200 – the number of different combinations when selecting five balls from a total of 50, plus one bonus ball, the “jackpot”.
“The lottery is proving to be a farce,” one Twitter user posted. “Twenty winners? No way that’s a coincidence,” wrote another. Some called for an investigation similar to the one opened during the nine-year term of former President Jacob Zuma.
The NLC said the combination of six consecutive numbers is unprecedented and promised to review the draw. NLC spokesperson Ndivhuho Mafela said the commission will conduct a review and, “if there is anything wrong, we will reveal it.” “We have already started the review process.”
Experts said that the odds of winning sequences are the same as any other combination. According to them, the fact that there are multiple winners may be related to the sequence itself, ranging from 5 to 10.
While it's not uncommon for two players to split the jackpot, multiple winners are extremely rare. In March 2003, 33 players split the jackpot, according to a South African results tracking website.The State of São Paulo (Source: AFP)
