How Buying All Lottery Combinations Really Works

It’s a question that crosses many minds: What would happen if someone tried to buy every possible lottery number combination for a single draw?

On the surface, it seems simple: purchase every ticket and a win is guaranteed. In reality, the situation is far more complex, involving an enormous number of tickets, considerable spending, and practical challenges that are often easy to underestimate.

This post explores how buying every combination might work, the number of entries involved, the potential costs, and some UK rules that could influence such an attempt.

Read on to learn more about the practicalities and limitations of this idea.

How Many Tickets Would You Actually Need to Buy?

For a standard lottery where 6 numbers are picked from 59, such as the National Lottery’s Lotto, securing every possible outcome means getting one ticket for each unique 6-number set.

The number of entries isn’t just a simple multiplication, because the order of numbers doesn’t matter. In a 6-from-59 draw, the total comes to tens of millions of unique combinations. Each combination would require a separate ticket, which quickly illustrates how large the scale might be.

The next step is to consider how much this would cost if someone attempted it.

Calculating the Total Cost of Every Combination

If each ticket costs £2, buying every combination would cost well over £90 million. That figure covers the tickets themselves but leaves out extra challenges such as organising, printing, storing, and checking millions of entries.

Even if the finances could be managed, there’s the question of outcomes. Holding every combination might cover all prize levels, including the jackpot if it is won, but any top prize might still be shared if other players choose the same winning numbers. Smaller prizes would offset some spending, yet in most draws, they would not make a significant difference unless the jackpot is unusually high and not shared.

Once the money aspect is understood, the next difficulty becomes practical: acquiring all those tickets.

Is It Physically Possible to Buy All Lottery Tickets?

Attempting to get every possible combination for a single draw faces huge practical barriers.

The sheer number of tickets creates bottlenecks. Printing, handling, and checking millions of entries would demand industrial-level resources and substantial time. Retail outlets process transactions slowly, opening hours restrict access, and cut-off times for draws leave only a small window. Online systems also impose daily or per-transaction limits, and security checks further slow high-volume purchases.

Trying to coordinate multiple accounts or outlets brings its own challenges: payment processing, human error, and duplicated or missing tickets are all possibilities. In short, the logistics make covering every line for a single draw extremely unrealistic.

These practical difficulties are closely connected to regulatory measures.

Legal and Regulatory Considerations in the UK

UK lottery rules aim to ensure fairness and compliance. Operators must monitor for unusual spending patterns, verify age, and maintain account security. Many systems enforce per-transaction or per-account limits, as well as tools to pause or restrict activity, which might make extremely large purchases difficult.

Syndicates are allowed, but all participants must be over 18 and share prizes according to an agreed plan. Keeping clear records of contributions helps avoid disputes.

With these rules in mind, most people look for ways to take part that don’t involve trying to get every possible ticket.

Practical Alternatives to Covering Every Lottery Combination

Rather than attempting to buy all tickets, some people join a syndicate. Pooling funds allows a group to enter more lines than one person alone might choose, with any winnings shared according to the agreement. This increases coverage without the impossible scale of total entry.

Other approaches include using smaller draws or employing systems that cover selected patterns. These do not alter probabilities, but for some, they provide a more practical way to participate. Setting spending limits or using account tools like deposit caps and time-outs might help if play becomes difficult. Support services are available for anyone who finds it challenging to manage their gambling.

While buying every combination is straightforward in theory, once cost, logistics, and regulation are taken into account, it becomes highly impractical.

If you choose to participate in a lottery, keeping entries occasional and affordable is a responsible approach. Set clear limits on how much you spend and avoid exceeding them. Only use funds that are intended for discretionary spending, not essentials such as bills or living costs.

Remember that lottery draws are entirely random and designed for entertainment, and there are no guarantees of winnings. 

_{*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.}