Maybe they've changed the game a bit, I seem to remember the 1:80 million number. Obviously I haven't bought a ticket in a while, my gambling is limited to what's going to break next, and which hatch/portlight is going to leak next ;-)
The game doesn't know whether
taxes are paid or not so I base a "fair game" payout on the game. If roulette paid 1:38 for a
single number, it would be fair since there are 38 slots on the
wheel. Alas, the payout is usually 1:25, an edge for the house. They also let you pay your taxes if you win.
One other difference is if 3 people bet on 13 on the
wheel and it hits, the house pays everyone. The lottery splits the
single payout. I remember one
California lottery that went to around $50 million; people started pouring in over the Nevada border and
buying tons of tickets. The actual payout was something like $58 million but 4 or 5 tickets hit. Some of those tickets were bought by groups that pooled their
money. They profiled an individual who pooled with his bowling league buddies, he was getting something like $1300 a year for 30 years. I'd like that added to my cruising kitty, but not quite what you expect when you think of $58 MILLION <assume Dr Evil stance with pinkie to mouth> dollars.