Numbers Games are principally a North American phenomenon, though they are also a significant feature of the Asian lottery market.
The current format is a natural extension of the illegal numbers rackets which flourished in the United States prior to the legalization of lotteries.
In all, numbers game are now played in 28 states and Puerto Rico. Each of the Canadian lottery organizations also offers the games, though with only moderate to low sales success.
Two other countries bear mention in terms of numbers games success. Singapore's 4-D game accounts for over 83% of sales there, and the very sizeable Malaysian market is predominantly numbers games.
The games come in three and four digit formats, in which players select a number from either 000-999 or 0000-9999, repectively, in an attempt to match numbers drawn by the lottery.
There are usually several wagering options. The level of complexity depends on the market. Not surprisingly markets with a tradition of numbers games, like those in the eastern United States, tend to offer the widest array of possibilties, while smaller, less sophisticated markets will offer as few as three options, usually involving straight wagers (exact order), boxed wagers (any order) or a combination of the two.
Most numbers games use a fixed payoff system. Typically, the lottery will pay approximately half the amount of the odds on any wager, eg., a $1 exact order wager at odds of 1:1,000 will pay $500. Some states use a parimutuel system, and most states switch to a parimutuel system if the number of winners exceeds a predetermined level.
In addition, most numbers games will limit the number of times a particular number can be sold, allowing it to "sell out" to limit the number of particular winners. Such policies recognize the publics tendency to play topical nembers.
SOURCE: The Whole World Lottery Guide.

See Numbers Games Sales

Texas Lottery Commission Considers Pick 3 Mid-Day Drawing
AUSTIN, Texas (January 8, 2002) -- Today, the Texas Lottery Commission authorized the initial step of adding the first ever day drawing to the Texas Lottery family of online games. The proposal for a Pick 3 mid-day drawing was approved for publication in the Texas Register, and will be available for public comment for a minimum of 30 days afterward.
"Today is a preliminary step toward the Texas Lottery adding a Pick 3 mid-day drawing," said Linda Cloud, Texas Lottery Executive Director. "By adding the additional drawing, we'll produce multiple benefits for everyone. Our lottery retailers will benefit with increased traffic in their stores, which translates to increased sales. Our players will benefit with more chances to win with playing a game they love. The State of Texas benefits with increased revenue."
Pick 3, the Texas Lottery's second online introduced in 1993, has consistently experienced an increase in sales every year since its inception.
The following table shows sales totals from startup for each Fiscal Year (FY):

Out of the 34 states, plus the District of Columbia, in the U.S. that participate in a Pick 3-style game, 12 of those also participate in a mid-day drawing.
"We're projecting up to a six percent increase in total sales for each year," said Cloud. "That translates into approximately $4.6 million in added revenue for the state."
There will be no changes to the way Pick 3 is currently played. Players will still select three numbers each from 0 to 9, with four choices for how they can play their 3-digit combination (Exact Order, Any Order, Exact/Any Order or Combo). Cost to play will remain as little as 50 cents for a single Exact or Any Order play, or as much as $360 on a Combo play where the numbers are played for twelve draws.
If the Texas Lottery decides to adopt the rules after the public comment period, the new Pick 3 mid-day draw would begin in late spring 2002. There will be a public hearing to discuss the proposed rules on February 8, 2002, at lottery headquarters in Austin.
Currently, Texas' Pick 3 sales lead all U.S. lotteries west of the Mississippi River.
SOURCE: Texas Lottery.
CONTACT: Kristina Tirloni, 512.344.5144 or Karen Kalergis, 512.344.5436.

0000 Delivers Largest Payout in PICK 4 History
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (December 7, 2001) -- When 0-0-0-0 popped out of the Kentucky Lottery's PICK 4 machine for last night's evening drawing, it produced the largest payout ever in PICK 4 history. The total prize payout was $552,500, with 221 players cashing in.
This is only the second time quadruple numbers have come out in PICK 4. The first time was the midday drawing on March 18, 2000 when 6-6-6-6 was drawn, paying out over $127,000.