Big Wednesday grows in popularity

Three draws of Big Wednesday have passed without a winner, but New Zealand Lotteries says it has not affected the popularity of its latest punt.

Chief executive Trevor Hall said people in all areas, rather than certain cities or regions, had bought Big Wednesday tickets.

"It's been well-received right across the country."

He said the number of tickets sold had increased each week since the first draw on October 26, even though no one had won the $2 million cash, luxury car and other prizes.

"Nobody controls when a jackpot goes. Jackpot players understand that," Mr Hall said.

NZ Lotteries research had shown that people wanted a jackpot game that mixed cash and non-cash prizes, distinguishing it from Lotto and Lotto Powerball.

Powerball is twice as hard to win as Big Wednesday because of the odds.

Big Wednesday requires six of 45 numbers, and one of either "heads" or "tails" (the equivalent of two numbers).