What Are the Odds …

Is the Bulgarian lottery rigged?

by , Sep 18, 2009 | 2:14 am

I know we poker people hate lotteries (unless of course there’s a ridiculous Powerball overlay), but recent results in Bulgaria seem worthy of mention …

The numbers for the Bulgarian Lottery on September 6:

4, 15, 23, 24, 35, 42

The numbers for the Bulgarian Lottery on September 10:

4, 15, 23, 24, 35, 42

The BBC reports the odds of this happening as 1-in-4 million. ABC-Australia puts them at 1-in-14 million.

Poker people know statistical mathematics is often debatable, and the above occurrence is far more likely than quad aces losing to a royal flush.

Interestingly enough, nobody picked those six numbers the first go-round. On the do-over, 18 people picked them — a Bulgarian lotto record.

Each of the winners will get 10,164 leva (equal to €5,196 or US$7,643). While that might not seem like enough to create shenanigans, the average monthly salary in Bulgaria is about €400

The Bulgarian government is investigating … Perhaps sadly, you cannot find out more information about this at Lotterati.com.


6 Comments to “What Are the Odds … ”


  1. Paboo
    says:

    Freaky. 4 of the numbers are also 4 of 6 of the Lost numbers: 4 15 23 42. Missing are 8/16. My birthday!


  2. Robert
    says:

    Strange.
    I think that thing is unique in entire world. Rigged? i think so.


  3. Robert
    says:

    Strange.
    I think that thing is unique in entire world. Rigged? i think so.
    Oops…forgot to say great post! Looking forward to your next one.


  4. Marvin C
    says:

    It’s probably like when the Pennsylvania lottery was fixed.


  5. Vivian
    says:

    Rather iffy to say the least!


  6. Johnny Hughes
    says:

    Folks are always, always trying to cheat. Check the winners relatives.