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Lottery Terms Glossary (English and French)
Common lottery and keno words with the French term and a plain meaning for each. For the math behind them, see Lottery Math, Explained Simply.
Ticket and draw terms
| English | French | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | Tirage | The event where the winning numbers are picked |
| Ticket | Billet | Printed or digital record of the numbers you play |
| Line, selection | Ligne, sélection | One set of numbers on a ticket |
| Combination | Combinaison | Any one possible set of numbers in a game |
| Quick pick | Sélection automatique | The machine picks random numbers; the odds are the same |
| Bonus number | Numéro complémentaire | Extra number drawn; it counts only for some prize tiers |
| Scratch ticket | Billet à gratter | Instant ticket: scratch the coating to see the result |
| 50/50 draw | Tirage moitié-moitié | Raffle where the prize is part of the ticket sales |
Prize terms
| English | French | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | Gros lot | The top prize of a game |
| Prize tier | Catégorie de lots | One prize level, for example matching some of the drawn numbers |
| Fixed prize | Lot fixe | The amount is set in advance and does not change |
| Pari-mutuel prize | Lot à partager (pari mutuel) | A prize pool split equally among all winners in that tier |
| Rollover | Report du gros lot | Nobody won the jackpot, so the money moves to the next draw |
| Free play | Participation gratuite | A prize tier that gives a ticket for a later draw |
Fixed prize vs pari-mutuel prize
Fixed prize
- The amount is set before the draw
- Same amount no matter how many people win
Pari-mutuel prize
- The amount depends on sales and the number of winners
- The prize pool is split equally among winners in the tier
- The amount is known only after the draw
- More detail: Why Lottery Prize Amounts Change Every Draw
Keno terms
| English | French | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Spot | Numéro choisi | A number you pick on a keno ticket |
| Number of spots | Nombre de numéros | How many numbers you pick; each has its own prize table |
| Catch | Bon numéro | One of your spots that is drawn |
| Prize table | Tableau des lots | The list of prizes for each catch result |
How the game runs step by step: How Keno Works in Canada.
Odds and money terms
| English | French | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Odds | Probabilité, chances | How likely a result is, as one chance in a number |
| Expected value | Espérance mathématique | Average result per ticket over many plays; below the price |
| House edge | Avantage de la maison | Share of the money played that the game keeps on average |
| Payout rate | Taux de retour | Share of sales paid back as prizes |
| Prize pool | Enveloppe des lots | The part of sales set aside for prizes |
Questions
What does "spot" mean in keno?
A spot is a number you choose on your keno ticket. The number of spots you play decides which prize table applies. A catch is one of your spots that is drawn.
What is a pari-mutuel prize?
A prize where a pool of money is split equally among all winners in the same tier. More winners means a smaller share for each, so the amount changes from draw to draw.
What is a free play in the lottery?
A free play is a prize tier: instead of cash, you get a ticket for a later draw at no cost. In French it is called "participation gratuite".
How do you say jackpot in French?
In Canadian French the jackpot is "le gros lot". A prize in general is "un lot", and a prize tier is "une catégorie de lots".
Does a quick pick have different odds than my own numbers?
No. A quick pick (sélection automatique) has exactly the same odds as numbers you choose yourself. Every combination has the same chance in every draw.