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Lottery Statistics: Survey Reveals Differences in the U.S. and UK

It’s probably not too surprising that nearly two-thirds of Americans have purchased a lottery ticket within the last 12 months, especially considering that the largest U.S. lottery jackpot in history was won relatevely recently, in November 2022.

Meanwhile, the largest lottery winner in UK history claimed £195 million in 2022.

But when it comes to playing the lottery in the U.S. and the UK, preferences vary between both countries. 

To find out the differences when it comes to playing the lottery across the pond, British Gambler, an online casino and betting offers site, conducted two nationwide surveys in both the U.S. and the UK. Respondents were asked how frequently they play the lottery, lottery spending as well as what they would do with their winnings if they were to win the jackpot

Overall, a majority of both U.S. and UK respondents say they have played the lottery within the last year.

In the U.S., 65% of respondents say they have played within the last 12 months, while 75% of UK respondents say they purchased a lottery ticket within the last year. Both U.S. and UK residents purchase an average of 2 lottery tickets per month.

However, UK respondents spend slightly less on lottery tickets per month. According to UK respondents, the average monthly spend on lottery tickets is £16.86 ($20.60), which is about £202.32 per year ($247.16).

Meanwhile, U.S. respondents say they spend more per month ($33.72), which is about $404.64 per year or £331.24.  

When it comes to how lottery players in each country would spend their money if they were to win the jackpot, the results vary.

In the U.S., nearly 4 in 10 (39%) say they would use their winnings to pay off debts, compared to only one-quarter (26%) of UK respondents.

UK respondents are also more likely to call their family to share the news after winning compared to U.S. players. And overall, UK gamblers we surveyed were more likely to say they have weekly thoughts about winning the lottery compared to U.S. respondents.

Lottery Statistics: Workplace and Coworkers

Lottery Statistics: Workplace and Coworkers

One area where both UK and U.S. respondents agreed on is whether they would quit their jobs after winning the lottery.

Overall, 3 in 10 (30%) employed U.S. respondents say they’d quit their job if they won the lottery, while 35% of UK respondents also said they’d leave their current job. However, UK respondents were more likely to say that they’d give a longer notice to their employer than U.S. respondents.

More than one-third (34%) of employed U.S. respondents say they’d quit their jobs for less than $1 million, while nearly half (49%) of employed UK respondents say they’d leave their jobs for less than £1 million.

U.S. respondents say they would require at least 10 year’s worth of salary in order to quit, while UK respondents say they’d need at least 13 in order to call it quits.

Lotto Stats: Sharing Winnings

Lottery Statistics: Sharing Winnings

If you won the lottery jackpot, who would you tell?

According to U.S. respondents, Americans are more likely to keep it a secret than UK respondents. Overall, 36% of U.S. respondents say they wouldn’t tell a soul if they won the lottery compared to 24% of UK respondents.

However, it appears that an overwhelming majority would eventually share the wealth with those closest to them or give a portion of their winnings to charity or donate it.

But when it comes to sharing winnings with a partner, respondents in both countries appear to be less giving. Among UK respondents with a partner, 2 in 10 (20%) would give less than half of their winnings to their partner if they won £100 million.

Meanwhile, Americans with a partner tend to be less giving. Overall, 41% of U.S. respondents with a partner would give less than half of their winnings to their partner if they were to win $100 million.

Lottery: Relationships After Winning

Lottery Statistics: Relationships After Winning

Overall, 46% of U.S. respondents and 48% of UK respondents feel that winning the lottery would have a positive effect on their lives, but the majority of respondents from both countries say they would be cautious about making new friends after winning the lottery.

As far as maintaining their current relationships, U.S. respondents were more likely to say they’d re-evaluate or end some of their current relationships after winning.

Lottery Statistics: Winning the Jackpot 

Lottery Statistics: Winning the Jackpot 

Overall, more than one-quarter (29%) of UK respondents and two-thirds (36%) of U.S. respondents say they’d continue playing the lottery after they won. And when it comes to winning the jackpot, 2 in 10 (22%) U.S. respondents believe that they’ll strike it rich one day and win a life-changing amount of money. 

But can money really buy happiness? According to respondents, it can. An overwhelming majority of respondents from both countries say that winning the lottery would make them happier.

Methodology

In March 2022, we surveyed 1,100 Americans and 1,100 UK residents to ask them about their experiences with playing the lottery. The average age of UK respondents was 40 years old. The average age of U.S. respondents was 40 years old. In the U.S., 49% of respondents were male, 49% were female and 2% were non-binary/non-conforming. In the UK, 49% of respondents were male, 49% were female and 2% were non-binary/non-conforming.  

Income among U.S. respondents: $20K and under (22%); $20,001-$40K (21%); $40,001-$60K (19%); $60,001-$80K (15%); $80,001 and over (23%).

Income among UK respondents: £20K and under (30%); £20,001-£40K (46%); £40,001-£60K (17%); £60,001-£80K (4%); £80,001 and over (3%)

Fair Use: When using this data and research, please attribute by linking to this study and citing https://britishgambler.co.uk

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