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Many players eagerly sit down to play games in the hope of winning. The same applies to legal games of chance such as the lottery, betting and games offered by online casinos. Statistics show that the vast majority of players believe in their luck and that is why they come to play. That one round or one ticket can change their lives – this is what is in the minds of most of those who use the services of bookmakers, lotteries and casinos.
Players are further motivated by the fact that wins do happen and luck is just a matter of time. After all, impossible things happen to all of us in life. Referring to the unlikely events that accompany us throughout the day, we can conclude that sooner or later luck will be on our side when the result of a round or ticket is determined.
How does luck work in practice? Our experts decided to check it out with some examples...
Being lucky in games – what does it actually mean?
The definition of this term is a situation in which something goes our way. If you do not have an extremely negative attitude as a person, you will be lucky in many everyday matters, because somewhere deep down you could have expected a positive outcome.
Being lucky means that someone hits the perfect moment, avoids trouble, wins or something good happens to them. Luck can be a promotion, a random prize or a small trifle, such as a bus arriving just in time to save you from being late.
Luck in life is something special, something that can be compared to a casino bonus — like the Stay Casino no deposit bonus, which gives you a surprise opportunity without any initial effort. Everyone looks for it and wants to take advantage of it, but fate cannot be predicted. Sometimes we consider something to be luck simply because that is how we perceive it. Someone else might call it a coincidence, but for us it's ‘luck’.
This shows that luck often lies more in our heads than in reality. How we interpret events determines whether we see them as a ‘lucky break’ or just an ordinary day.
Statistics on luck
In Australia, many people believe in what we call ‘luck’ – a chance event that suddenly works in our favour. It could be finding a banknote on the street, a lucky coincidence or simply a moment when everything goes our way, even though we have no control over it.
According to a CBOS survey, more than half of adult Australians (54%) believe in at least one superstition, such as
- keeping your fingers crossed,
- four-leaf clovers,
- knocking on wood.
These habits are nothing more than attempts to ‘attract luck’, even if only symbolically.
Although we do not have hard data on how many people literally believe in ‘luck’, the popularity of superstitions shows one thing – many of us attribute success or bad luck to mere chance that occurs at the right moment.
Gambling is based on this belief
If you've ever played games of chance, you've probably come across slots with lucky symbols. Among the symbols on such slot machines are four-leaf clovers, money symbols, diamonds, lucky sevens and others.
These elements do not appear in games without a reason. They are designed to influence the players' psyche and remind them of their luck even during a losing streak of several rounds in a row.
Unfortunately, in the eyes of many people, the gambling industry takes advantage of the naivety of players. On the other hand, experts and industry insiders argue that it is entertainment for which players pay the price. There are winners and losers – this is very similar to various lotteries and games of chance, including the National Lottery and scratch cards. Many people buy tickets and spend their money, but only a few win.
Unfortunately, despite the negative opinions of players, the gaming and betting industry is not complaining about its popularity. If you win once in a thousand tries, you will remember that moment forever. But you won't remember all the times when nothing worked out. Our brain likes stories with an emotional ‘boom’ – and that's exactly what lucky breaks are.
Types of luck defined by psychologists
You may not know it, but luck is not just a winning lottery ticket or a winning round in a game. Luck in people's lives can be classified into categories. Each of us believes more or less in different types of luck. Here is a brief explanation of this issue:
Random luck
This is the kind of luck that just happens to you. You win the lottery, find money on the pavement or avoid an accident only because something stopped you. It's pure chance – you have no control over it.
Earned happiness
Sounds contradictory? And yet it is. It is a situation in which luck is on your side because you have done something beforehand. You studied, trained, made good decisions – and at the right moment, everything worked out. So it's luck, but it didn't come out of nowhere.
Social luck
You have people around you who you can count on. Someone recommends a job to you, saves you from trouble or is simply there when you need them. It's not just chance, but also the result of the relationships you build.
Emotional luck
It's an inner feeling that everything is OK. You feel calm, fulfilled, and enjoy the little things. It doesn't depend on winning or external events – it's more a state of mind than the result of chance.
Existential happiness
A slightly deeper topic – it's about being in a good place in life. You have goals, meaning, you don't feel empty. It doesn't come suddenly, but it gives you a sense that you are lucky to be where you are.
Interpretation of happiness in different cultures
Happiness and luck are universal concepts, but each culture interprets them in its own unique way. Across the world, people seek well-being and invent symbols, rituals, and traditions to attract positive outcomes. In every corner of the globe, there are beliefs designed to help “encourage fate.”
China: the power of lucky numbers
In Chinese culture, lucky numbers play a major role in daily life. The number 8 is especially significant, as it is associated with wealth and prosperity. This is because its pronunciation is similar to the word for “wealth” in Chinese. As a result, people choose dates with the number 8 for weddings or important events and even pay more for phone numbers or car plates containing it.
Ireland: the four-leaf clover
The four-leaf clover is one of the most iconic symbols of luck in Irish folklore. Each leaf is believed to represent something meaningful: faith, hope, love, and luck. Because these clovers are rare, finding one is seen as a special sign of good fortune.
Japan: omamori talismans
In Japan, small protective charms called omamori are widely used. These are purchased from temples and shrines and are believed to offer protection or luck in specific areas of life — such as love, academic success, safe travel, or health. People often carry them in bags or attach them to belongings as a symbol of spiritual support.
Everyday superstitions and symbols
Across many cultures, daily superstitions are seen as simple ways to invite luck. A horseshoe hung above the door is said to protect the home and bring good fortune. Crossing your fingers or making a wish upon the first evening star are common gestures believed to influence fate. Though these actions have no scientific basis, they are deeply rooted in tradition and continue to be passed down through generations.
Optimism as a psychological effect
Studies suggest that people in cultures where belief in luck is common often display higher levels of optimism. This attitude can make individuals more resilient in the face of stress or adversity. Even without belief in magic or fate, simply expecting a positive outcome can help boost mood and outlook.