Did you know that the “random” numbers you get when you buy a Mega Millions ticket online might not be as random as the actual lottery drawing? It’s true! While the difference is small, it means you theoretically could be getting slightly worse odds.
I checked out the Virginia Lottery website where you can buy Mega Millions tickets online. When you hit “auto-fill,” it happens so fast that it seems unlikely it’s getting truly random numbers from an external server.
Mega Millions auto-fill
Looking at the source code, it appears that the auto-fill feature probably uses JavaScript’s Math.random() function, which is a pseudo-random number generator (PRNG). PRNGs use mathematical formulas to generate numbers that seem random but are actually predictable. This predictability means the numbers are not as random as those generated through physical processes.
In contrast, RANDOM.ORG is a true random number generator that uses atmospheric noise from radio static to create genuinely unpredictable numbers. This makes it better for things like lotteries, where true randomness is crucial.
The Mega Millions drawing itself uses physical balls, which are thoroughly mixed to ensure each number has an equal chance of being picked. This physical process, along with security measures and audits, guarantees a fair outcome for everyone. True randomness in physical processes like this is difficult to replicate with software-based pseudo-random number generators.
Mega Millions does offer a separate random number generator on their site, but they don’t explain how those numbers are generated. The lack of transparency means it’s uncertain whether this generator uses true random methods or PRNGs.
Generate Mega Millions Numbers with Real Randomness
Just for fun, I used ChatGPT to code a simple tool that uses RANDOM.ORG to generate Mega Millions numbers that are arguably more random than the auto-fill on the Virginia Lottery site. Check it out below! (Note: This is just for entertainment purposes and won’t quantifiabily improve your odds of winning.)
Try out the tool by pressing this button ( see the source code )
{{CODElottonum_RES}}