Some players wonder if buying every possible lottery ticket would guarantee a jackpot. On the surface, it seems simple: cover every combination, and one must win. But modern lotteries, shared prizes, and the sheer logistics of handling huge numbers of tickets make the reality far more complex.
This post looks at why the idea intrigues people, the massive costs involved, the number of tickets required, the chances of a worthwhile return, UK tax implications, and the practical and rule-based hurdles anyone attempting this would face.
Read on to learn more.
Why Some Players Consider Buying All Lottery Combinations
The idea of buying every possible combination may be appealing because it seems to remove all uncertainty. At first, many people only consider the headline figure in a rollover and compare it to the total cost of tickets, without thinking through the practicalities.
Big jackpots tend to amplify this line of thought. When the top prize is particularly large, some players start to weigh the potential gain against the expense. However, it’s rare for them to fully account for the enormous logistical and financial challenges involved, which make such a plan highly impractical.
Syndicates are sometimes suggested as a way to share the financial burden. By pooling resources, a group could theoretically cover more combinations than an individual. But these discussions often overlook key obstacles, such as the time it would take, the limits of lottery systems, and the difficulty of managing and tracking vast numbers of tickets.
In the end, while it’s mathematically intriguing to think about buying every combination, it’s virtually impossible in practice. The lottery remains a game of chance, not a guaranteed investment.
How Much Would It Cost To Buy Every Combination?
It might first appear that calculating the total cost is straightforward: just multiply the ticket price by the number of possible lines. However, even a quick glance at the numbers shows just how misleadingly simple that sounds.
In the UK Lotto, for instance, players pick six numbers from a larger set, producing an incredibly large number of possible combinations. The financial and practical demands of purchasing every line are far beyond what an individual—or even a collective effort—could manage.
This makes it clear that acquiring every combination isn’t a feasible strategy, and the lottery should be approached as a game of chance rather than a sure way to win.
Calculating The Total Number Of Possible Tickets
Mathematically, the total number of lottery tickets can be calculated using a standard combinatorial formula, often expressed as “59 choose 6.” In practice, this works out as:
59! / (6! × (59 − 6)!) = 45,057,474 combinations
At a ticket price of £2 each, covering every possible outcome would cost:
45,057,474 tickets × £2 = £90,114,948
This figure represents only the face value of the tickets. The practical challenges of buying, processing, and keeping track of such an enormous number of entries would be immense.
Even if the money and logistics were somehow manageable, there is still no guarantee that the return would justify the effort, reinforcing that the lottery is ultimately a game of chance.
Does Buying All Combinations Ensure You Win The Jackpot?
Mathematically, purchasing every possible combination would guarantee that at least one ticket matches the winning numbers. In practice, however, this does not guarantee a positive return. If other players also hit the jackpot, the prize would be shared, potentially reducing the payout significantly.
While smaller prizes might be won on other tickets, they are negligible compared with the enormous expense of buying every combination.
The practical challenges become even more obvious at this scale. Coordinating millions of tickets, keeping proof of each entry, and avoiding mistakes across such a vast number of purchases would be extraordinarily difficult. Even minor errors could undermine the plan.
On top of this, there are additional complications around how multiple winning tickets are treated financially, adding further uncertainty.
What Are The Tax Implications Of Winning Multiple Prizes?
In the UK, lottery winnings are paid out free of income tax, so holding several winning tickets would not reduce the total received. Each prize would be paid in full, regardless of how many lines match.
That said, other financial considerations can come into play once the money is in the bank. Any interest earned on the winnings may be subject to standard tax rules, depending on individual allowances. If the money is gifted, inheritance tax could become relevant if the giver passes away within seven years.
For anyone unsure of their position, speaking with a qualified financial adviser is advisable. But even before these questions about taxes arise, the practical reality remains the same: acquiring every single ticket is, for all intents and purposes, impossible.
Are There Practical Limits To Purchasing Every Ticket?
The timing and logistical challenges that were mentioned earlier quickly become central when considering such an undertaking. The sheer number of tickets required presents significant difficulties.
Sales close at set times, and neither retailers nor online platforms are designed to handle tens of millions of entries from a single purchaser. Extremely large transactions may be delayed, paused, or even declined, while banking and security checks are likely to be triggered automatically.
Managing the tickets themselves is another major obstacle. Keeping millions of physical tickets organised—or even their digital equivalents—requires painstaking administration. Losing or misplacing just a few could have a disproportionate impact. Each prize also requires proper proof of entry, and verifying such a vast number of tickets would be both time-consuming and complex.
How Do Lottery Rules Affect Bulk Buying Attempts?
Lottery rules are designed to keep draws fair, secure, and orderly. Operators and retailers may limit the number of lines that can be purchased in a single transaction or per account, and unusually large or disruptive requests can be declined.
Online systems are equipped to identify automated or high-volume activity, with safeguards in place to prevent excessive purchases. Most terms and conditions prohibit actions that could interfere with normal operations, so suspicious orders may be cancelled or temporarily frozen.
Compliance checks are also important. Large or repeated payments may prompt age verification, identity checks, or reviews of the source of funds. Retailers and operators have a legal responsibility to prevent misuse, and accounts may be restricted or closed if activity raises concerns.
For players, it is essential to stay within personal limits, gamble responsibly, and take breaks when needed. If gambling ever feels uncomfortable, confidential support is available through organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.