Betting on the lottery is something very common among Brazilians. In 2022, Brazilians invested BRL 23 billion in bets on the most different Caixa lotteries. According to the bank, the value is 25% higher than in 2021, when R$ 18.5 billion were bet, an amount that was already a record.
However, lottery betting is increasingly diversified depending on digital platforms. Lotto Billions, for example, is an online betting platform that allows its customers to participate in the most popular lotteries in the world.
Lotto Billions – which is coming to Brazil – seeks to provide the opportunity to compete for attractive prizes and massive jackpots.
Edoardo Paluan, CTO and one of the company’s founders, gave an exclusive interview to the iGaming Brazil portal and explained how Brazilians can try their luck in lotteries around the world.
Paluan started as a software engineer at Mendeley, rising to CTO and co-founder of Yo-Da, an innovative venture incubated at Entrepreneur First. As part of Nate’s founding team, he contributed to the rise of the AI-powered shopping app that skyrocketed to a $350 million valuation.
He was even responsible for a landmark TikTok campaign, reaching 7.4 billion views. The focus is now on Lotto Billions operations to ‘reshape the future of lotteries’.
Exclusive interview with Edoardo Paluan, CTO and one of the founders of Lotto Billions:
iGaming Brazil: Could you give more details about Lotto Billions’ activities?
Edoardo Paluan: Founded less than a year ago in August 2022 and headquartered in the UK, Lotto Billions went online in early July 2023. Operated by Emeralds Holdings Ltd UK and holding a lottery license issued by the Government of Curacao, we are committed to providing a joyful and reliable gaming experience.
Our small but highly skilled team, enhanced by third-party back office and other services, works diligently to provide our players with a smooth and hassle-free platform to play the lottery.
At Lotto Billions, you’re not just playing; is betting on the outcome of the world’s most prominent lottery draws. What sets us apart is our focus on emerging markets, offering the biggest rewards to those who dream big. Our goal is to become the leading global online lottery platform, enabling players across borders to participate in the largest and most prestigious lotteries.
We’ve reimagined lottery pricing to make it more accessible. By introducing lottery betting, we are empowering players in emerging markets with lower ticket prices. Through our unique insurance model, we provide international match tickets at competitive rates, offering great value to our players.
With the perfect combination of technology and expertise, we adapt jackpots and ticket prices for all major lotteries, accommodating all budgets and preferences. We partner with trusted payment solutions like Pix and AstroPay, ensuring hassle-free transactions for our players.
iGaming Brazil: Are there no restrictions for a person in Brazil to place bets on lotteries in the United States? How should the player proceed?
Edoardo Paluan: Lotto Billions, as an online lottery betting platform, allows Brazilians to participate in international lotteries, including those in the US.
Playing is easy. The application process is quick and even easier. Once a player signs up by sharing their age and contact information, they can pick a lottery, pick their lucky numbers, or let Quick Pick pick for them. Then they decide how often they want to play.
Subscription options will soon be available for more enthusiastic players so they never miss out on a giveaway. Payment is secure – reloading your Lotto Billions wallet is simple with our secure payment methods.
Win & Cash Out – We will notify winners via SMS and email if they win. Collecting winnings is easy – players just need to upload their ID and address confirmation. Afterwards, the funds are transferred securely to your account. It’s that simple!
We replicate the payout structure of Official Lotteries in the United States and therefore a 38% reduction is made on US Jackpots to reflect the tax that an Official Lottery winner would pay.
For example, the Mega Millions and PowerBall Jackpots can be paid out in 30 year installments, with an annual payment being made over the 30 years. Payment can also be offered as a lump sum and will be paid at 60% of the total annuity amount.
iGaming Brazil: How are all other Lottery Jackpots paid through you?
Edoardo Paluan: We have replicated the payout structure of all other lotteries to reflect the official rules of the official lotteries.
iGaming Brazil: What are the rules and functioning of the Brazilian PowerBall?
Edoardo Paluan: The rules and functioning of the PowerBall for Brazilians are similar to those of any other player participating in this lottery game. PowerBall is an American lottery famous for its gigantic jackpots. Here are key aspects of the rules and how they work:
Registration and Participation: To play the PowerBall, Brazilians can register on online platforms that offer the option to participate in international lotteries, such as Lotto Billions. The first step is to register on the website, providing personal information and payment details.
Choice of Numbers: After registering, players can choose the PowerBall numbers they wish to bet on. PowerBall involves choosing five main numbers from a set of 69 (called the “white numbers”) and an additional PowerBall number from a set of 26 (called the “red number”).
“Quick Pick” Option: If they prefer, players can choose to use the “Quick Pick” option, where the numbers are automatically chosen at random.
Frequency of Play: Players can also select how often they wish to participate in sweepstakes. They can choose to only play in a specific draw or set up a subscription to participate in multiple draws.
Power Play: The PowerBall offers the option of “Power Play”. This is an option that allows you to multiply non-jackpot prize winnings. The Power Play Multiplier is drawn before each draw and can multiply the prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x depending on the value of the prize and the multiplier drawn.
Draws and Prizes: PowerBall draws take place twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, in the United States. During the draw, the five main numbers and the PowerBall number are drawn. Players who match all numbers win the jackpot, but there are also prizes for partial matches, depending on the number of matches and Power Play.
Prize Distribution: PowerBall prizes are distributed in different categories, with values varying according to the number of hits and the use of Power Play. The jackpot is awarded to players who match all five main numbers and the PowerBall number.
Remembering that participation in international lotteries, such as PowerBall, may be subject to local regulations and laws. Therefore, it is important to check the legality and participation policies in your region before playing. Participation through online platforms such as Lotto Billions offers a convenient way for Brazilians to enjoy the excitement of PowerBall and other global lotteries.
iGaming Brazil: How are the main numbers and the PowerBall number selected, as well as the drawing process and the calculation of prizes?
Edoardo Paluan: Brazilian players often wonder how to play PowerBall online. The first step is to register on our website. This is done quickly and has all the necessary security to protect your information. Then comes the step of choosing the PowerBall lottery and selecting your lucky numbers. You can also let Quick Pick randomly pick for you. Then, decide how often you want to play.
Power Play allows players to multiply their winnings. With Power Play, players can win $2 million by matching all five white balls or multiply other non-jackpot prizes by 2X, 3X, 4X or 5X.
When the announced jackpot is $150 million or less, a 10X multiplier will also be added. The multiplier number is chosen randomly just before each draw.
iGaming Brazil: How to discover the most frequently drawn numbers and identify possible patterns or trends that can be taken into account when choosing the numbers to bet on?
Edoardo Paluan: Discovering the most frequently drawn lottery numbers and identifying possible patterns or trends can be an interesting approach when choosing your numbers. While draws are generally random, some players believe that historical data can offer insight. Here follows how some do it.
Collect Data: Get historical data from past lottery draws. This information can often be found on official lottery websites.
Frequency Analysis: Create a frequency distribution table for each number in the lottery number set. This table will show how often each number was drawn over a specified period.
Hot and Cold Numbers: Identify “hot numbers” (those drawn frequently) and “cold numbers” (those drawn less frequently). Some players believe that hot numbers are more likely to be drawn again in the future.
Pattern Recognition: Look for any patterns, such as consecutive numbers, combinations of even and odd numbers, combinations of high and low numbers, or recurring sequences. Remember that lottery draws are designed to be random, so any patterns could be coincidences.
Combining Strategies: Consider combining frequency analysis with other strategies, such as choosing a mix of hot and cold numbers or including personal favorites.
Use Lottery Tools: Many online tools and software can perform automated analysis of past lottery data and suggest numbers based on different algorithms.
While historical data can provide insights, lotteries are ultimately based on chance. No strategy guarantees a win.
iGaming Brazil: Can playing in a group increase the chances of winning by sharing betting costs and combining strategies?
Edoardo Paluan: Yes, playing in a group can increase the chances of winning, mainly by allowing participants to share the costs of betting and potentially employ more diverse strategies. Here’s how party play can be beneficial:
Cost Sharing: By pooling resources with a group of people, you can collectively buy more tickets than you could alone. This increases the number of combinations you cover and improves your chances of winning.
Larger Pool of Numbers: In a group, you have access to a larger pool of numbers, which means you can select from a wider range of numbers. This can allow you to explore different strategies such as picking hot and cold numbers or covering a variety of patterns.
Risk Management: Sharing costs also means sharing risks. If the group wins, the prize is distributed among the participants, reducing the potential losses for each individual if the group does not win.
Community and Fun: Playing together can be a social and enjoyable experience. This creates a sense of camaraderie, and the excitement of potentially winning is shared among friends or acquaintances.
Larger Purchases: Larger group purchases may also allow access to discounts or special offers that individual players would otherwise not have access to.
iGaming Brazil: How to perform bankroll management? How to establish an adequate budget and avoid excessive expenses?
Edoardo Paluan: Managing your bankroll when betting in a group is essential to ensure responsible and enjoyable gambling. Here are some suggestions on how to effectively manage the money allocated for betting and avoid overspending:
Set a Budget: Determine the total amount of money the group is comfortable contributing to the betting pool. This must be an amount that everyone agrees on and can pay without causing a financial squeeze.
Individual Contributions: Decide the amount each member will contribute to the group bankroll. Make sure these contributions are fair and accessible to all participants.
Allocate to Each Draw: Divide the total budget by the number of drawings or tickets you plan to buy. This will give you the amount available for each draw.
Stick to the Plan: Once the budget is established, stick to it. Avoid the temptation to go over budget, even if there is pressure to contribute more to bigger jackpots.
Record Transactions: Keep clear records of individual contributions, purchases and earnings. Transparency is crucial to maintaining trust in the group.
Regular Updates + Open Communication: Ensures everyone is aware of the group’s progress.
Plan for Losses: Understand that betting is a form of entertainment and losses are a possibility. Make sure that the budget is set in such a way that it does not cause financial hardship in case of losses.
Responsible Gaming: Encourage group members to prioritize responsible gaming practices. Set limits on how much each individual can contribute, and make sure no one feels pressured to spend more than they are comfortable with.
Celebrate Victories Wisely: If the group wins, establish a clear plan for distributing the winnings. Consider reinvesting a portion into future bets and allocating the remainder according to the initial deal.
Enkoy the Experience: Remember that party play isn’t just about winning; it’s about camaraderie and excitement. Focus on the entertainment value instead of just the result.
iGaming Brazil: What is the biggest prize ever drawn in history?
Edoardo Paluan: $2.04 billion. The biggest lottery prize to date, a Powerball drawing, was won on November 7, 2022. The ticket was sold at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, north of Pasadena. On February 14, California Lottery officials revealed the winner’s name, Edwin Castro, but did not release further information about him at his request.
The second biggest prize, of US$ 1.586 billion, was also from Powerball and was divided between three winners. The numbers drawn were January 13, 2016, with tickets purchased in Chino Hills, California, a suburb of Los Angeles; Munford, Tennessee, north of Memphis; and Melbourne Beach, Florida on the Atlantic coast. “I think we can all live on $528 million, don’t you?” said Russ Lopez, a spokesman for the Lottery, at the time.
iGaming Brazil: Are there many cases in which the winner is right and does not withdraw the prize?
Edoardo Paluan: Yes, there have been cases where lottery jackpot winners have not claimed their prize. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as lost tickets, lack of awareness of winning, or deliberate decisions not to perform. However, the frequency of unclaimed prizes tends to vary based on factors such as prize size, lottery rules and the region where the lottery is held.
Here are some reasons why winners may not claim their lottery prizes: Lost Tickets or winner’s death, for example. Some winners lose their tickets or forget where they keep them.
Lack of awareness: In some cases, people may not realize they’ve won, especially if they don’t regularly check their numbers. And Unexploited Claims – Lotteries often have expiration dates for claiming prizes.
The advantage of playing online with Lotto Billions is that players never lose their ticket.
About the lottery betting platform
Lotto Billions is an online betting platform that allows its customers to participate in the most popular lotteries in the world, offering the opportunity to compete for attractive prizes and substantial jackpots.
The company is headquartered in London, England, and currently operates in several countries, including Brazil, where it offers payment methods such as Pix and Astropay.
With a strong focus on security and trust, the company uses encryption technology to protect users’ personal and payment information.
Payments are guaranteed and backed by partner insurance companies, giving players peace of mind. Lotto Billions currently offers online betting on some of the most popular lotteries, including those in the US, Europe, Brazil, Mexico and Australia.
