Legal Definitions - Genoese lottery

A Genoese lottery is a specific type of lottery where participants select a small group of numbers from a larger, predetermined set. A set of winning numbers is then randomly drawn from the larger pool. Prizes are awarded based on how many of the participant's chosen numbers match the numbers that were drawn, with the value of the prize typically increasing with the number of matches.

This form of lottery is characterized by its reliance on pure chance and the specific mechanism of number selection and matching to determine winners.

• Example 1: State-Run Lottery
  Scenario: Maria purchases a ticket for her state's weekly "Pick 5" lottery game. She chooses five unique numbers from a pool of 1 to 49. Later that evening, five numbers are randomly drawn and announced. If Maria's five chosen numbers exactly match the five numbers drawn, she wins the grand prize. If she matches three or four numbers, she wins a smaller, predetermined prize.
  Explanation: This illustrates a Genoese lottery because Maria selected a small group of numbers (5) from a larger pool (1-49), and her winnings depend entirely on how many of her chosen numbers match the randomly drawn numbers.
• Example 2: Charity Fundraiser
  Scenario: A local animal shelter organizes a "Lucky Numbers" fundraiser. Participants buy tickets and, for each ticket, they select three numbers from a range of 1 to 30. During a live event, three numbers are randomly selected from a drum. Participants who have matched all three numbers win a significant prize, while those who matched two numbers receive a smaller consolation prize.
  Explanation: This is a Genoese lottery because the fundraiser involves participants choosing a specific quantity of numbers (3) from a larger set (1-30), and the prizes are awarded based on the degree of match between their selections and the randomly drawn numbers.
• Example 3: Office Sports Pool
  Scenario: Colleagues in an office decide to run a friendly "Fantasy Score" pool for an upcoming major sporting event. Instead of predicting scores, each participant chooses four unique numbers between 1 and 25. At the end of the event, a designated organizer uses a random number generator to select four winning numbers. The person who matched the most numbers wins the collective pot of money.
  Explanation: This scenario functions as a Genoese lottery because individuals select a set of numbers (4) from a larger range (1-25), and the outcome (who wins the pot) is determined by the random drawing of numbers and how many of those drawn numbers match each participant's selections.