--- title: 'This Algorithm Helps You Find Winning Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets' source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=bsdBfl8nMjo' video_id: 'bsdBfl8nMjo' date: 2026-07-16 duration_sec: 209 --- # This Algorithm Helps You Find Winning Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets > Source: [This Algorithm Helps You Find Winning Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets](https://youtube.com/watch?v=bsdBfl8nMjo) ## Summary This video explores how publicly available data on scratch-off lottery tickets can be used to calculate odds and improve your chances of winning. A website called Lotto Edge analyzes state-provided data to identify games with the best odds. The report tests the strategy and finds it effective, though it emphasizes playing responsibly with disposable income. ### Key Points - **Public Data Availability** [00:13] — In North Carolina, anyone can access data on scratch-off tickets, including the number of prizes claimed and tickets remaining, allowing calculation of winning odds. - **Lotto Edge Website** [01:12] — Garrett James founded Lotto Edge, a site that crunches state-provided data to predict odds of winning for any given scratch-off game. - **Data Analysis Method** [01:41] — Some states like North Carolina are required to make scratch-off game data public. Lotto Edge uses this data to calculate odds and shares them on the site. - **High and Low Odds Games** [02:10] — According to the site, certain games have higher chances of winning. The report tests two tickets with high odds and finds they indeed win. - **Responsible Gambling Advice** [02:34] — The expert advises only playing with disposable income and warns against dishonest sites that claim you will definitely win. - **Holiday Tickets Warning** [03:01] — Holiday-themed scratch-off tickets often have worse odds because they are stocking stuffers, so they should be avoided. - **Moral of the Story** [03:13] — You probably won't get rich on scratch-offs, but if you have extra cash and want to test your luck, using data to improve odds is a smart approach. ### Conclusion Using data analysis to choose scratch-off tickets can improve your odds, but it's not a guaranteed way to get rich. The key is to play responsibly with disposable income and avoid holiday-themed tickets that typically have worse odds. ## Transcript GUARDRAIL. LATER ON IN THE CHASE CARS WERE FORCED TO SWERVE AS THE GOING THE WRONG WAY. TROOPERS WERE ABLE TO ARREST THE DRIVER A SHORT TIME ARE GAME OF CHANCE? THINK AGAIN. >> IN NORTH CAROLINA ANYONE CAN GET DATA ON SCRATCH OFF TICKETS. THAT INCLUDES WHAT OF PRIZES THAT HAVE BEEN CLAIMED AND HOW MANY TICKETS REMAIN. YOU CAN USE MATH TO CALCULATE THE ODDS OF WINNING A GIVEN >> SAVANNAH LEVINS TESTED OUT AND SHOWS YOU HOW IT WORKS. >> Reporter: >> SAVANNAH LEVINS TESTED OUT AND SHOWS YOU HOW IT WORKS. >> Reporter: I >> Reporter: I DID PUT IT TO THE TEST AND SPOILER ALERT, IT DID WORK. IF YOU BUY WHEN YOU CAN BE SMART. MANY OF US ARE FAMILIAR IF YOU BUY WHEN YOU CAN BE SMART. MANY OF US ARE FAMILIAR WITH FEELING OF BREAKING OUT QUARTERS TO SCRATCH AWAY AT A GAS STATION TO GET. LOTTERY. APPROXIMATELY 68% OF THOSE SALES THEY ARE FUN AND SHINY AND MEANT TO TRY. BUT IT TURNS MEANT TO TRY. BUT IT TURNS OUT YOU CAN RELY ON MORE THAN JUST PURE >> RIGHT NOW PEOPLE, WHEN THEY BUY TICKETS, THEY ARE GOING OUT AND THEY PRETTY LOOKING TICKET. OR THIS ONE FEELS LUCKY. THEY HAVE NO IDEA >> Reporter: GARRETT JAMES FOUND HIS LOTTO EDGE. A SITE THAT CRUNCHES DATA PREDICT YOUR ODDS OF WINNING ANY GIVEN GAME. >> WE GO OUT AND ANALYZE DATA >> Reporter: SOME STATES LIKE NORTH CAROLINA ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE PUBLIC THE DATA FOR EACH SCRATCH OFF GAME. HE USES IT TO CALCULATE THE AND SHARED THE ODDS ON HIS SITE. >> MOST OF THE PEOPLE OUT THERE. >> Reporter: WHAT OTHER WEBSITES DO THE SAME THING FOR ALL STATES AND HAS THE AVAILABLE DATA. AVAILABLE DATA. >> NORTH CAROLINA IN PARTICULAR HAS A COUPLE OF GAMES >> NORTH CAROLINA IN PARTICULAR HAS A COUPLE OF GAMES -- >> TICKETS. TWO ACCORDING TO THE SITE HAVE THE HIGHEST CHANCE OF WINNING LOWEST CHANCE. STARTING WITH THE ONES LEAST LIKELY TO WIN -- BOTH OF THESE, THE LEAST AMOUNT OF ODDS OF WINNING. LET'S CHECK LET'S CHECK THE OTHERS. WE'VE GOT A MATCH HERE AND >> Reporter: BOTH TICKETS HAD HIGH ODDS OF WINNING ACCORDING >> Reporter: BOTH TICKETS HAD HIGH ODDS OF WINNING ACCORDING TO THE DATA. >> YOU SHOULD ONLY BE PLAYING WITH DISPOSABLE INCOME. THIS IS >> YOU SHOULD ONLY BE PLAYING WITH DISPOSABLE INCOME. THIS IS NOT AN >> THERE ARE A FEW DISCLAIMERS THAT YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN'T DO THERE OTHER WEBSITES LIKE MINE @ BUT THEY ALSO PLAN TO BEAT THE SYSTEM, YOU WILL WIN. THAT IS DISHONEST. >> AT THE END OF THE DAY >> AT THE END OF THE DAY IT CAN BE FUN IF YOU ARE TRYING TO PICK UP A FEW FOR THE SUCKING HOLIDAY ONES ARE THE WORST OF ALL. >> THE ODDS BECAUSE THEY ARE STOCKING SUFFERS. >> Reporter: >> Reporter: THE MORAL OF THE STORY, YOU PROBABLY WON'T GET RICH ON A SCRATCH OFF. BUT IF YOU HAVE A COUPLE EXTRA BUCKS AND WANT TO TEST YOUR LUCK, WHY NOT USE LUCK, WHY NOT USE THE ODDS TO GET EVEN. SAVANNAH LEVINS, NBC >> ONE OF THE THINGS FASCINATING ABOUT IT, JARED SAID THE ODDS IMPROVED OVER FASCINATING ABOUT IT, JARED SAID THE ODDS IMPROVED OVER TIME AS