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Costly number seven

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  • Roger, Patrick
  • Roger, Tristan

Abstract

Lotto players often choose numbers non-randomly, a behavior known as conscious selection. In many Western countries, the number 7 is considered lucky, causing it to be disproportionately selected in lotto games. This study quantifies the financial cost of this tendency using data from lotto games in Belgium (2011–2025) and France (2002–2008, 2019–2025), as well as Euromillions data (2016–2025). Due to the parimutuel payout system, tickets containing the number 7 earn significantly lower prizes than those without it. We find that this cost persists across different game formats and time periods.

Suggested Citation

  • Roger, Patrick & Roger, Tristan, 2025. "Costly number seven," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:255:y:2025:i:c:s0165176525003568
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2025.112519
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    References listed on IDEAS

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