Lotto’s double numbered ball was ‘trick of the light’

A brief reflection of light made some players think an Irish lottery ball had two different numbers on it, it was revealed yesterday.

The National Lottery assured its players of the integrity of Saturday night’s Lotto Plus 1 draw, following concerns that a ball had been drawn containing two numbers.

In a statement, the National Lottery said: “A brief reflection of light during filming caused an illusion and some players to think there were two numbers on ball 38. This was not the case. The weight and size of all Lotto balls, and the numbers, are strictly checked in advance of each draw.”