How Romanian-Australian Economist Stefan Mandel Won the Lottery 14 Times with a Mathematical Formula
In the 1990s, Romanian-Australian economist Stefan Mandel, along with his team, repeatedly won the lottery, amassing a total of 14 major wins.
For most people, winning the lottery is considered pure luck. But for Mandel, it was the result of a bold strategy and a carefully crafted mathematical formula. By exploiting a mathematical loophole and employing meticulous organization, Mandel and his small team achieved unprecedented success in the lottery world.
The Early Days of a Mathematical Genius
In the late 1960s, Stefan Mandel was a young economist struggling to make ends meet. Earning just $10 per month, he desperately sought a way to escape poverty. His solution? The lottery. Leveraging his natural aptitude for numbers, Mandel spent countless hours analyzing probability theories, particularly those of 13th-century mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci. After years of study, he developed a “number selection algorithm” based on a method called combinatorial condensation.
The Odds of Winning and Mandel’s Unique Strategy
Statistically, the odds of being struck by lightning are four times higher than winning the lottery jackpot. Yet, Mandel defied these odds 14 times. Here’s how he did it.
When choosing six numbers from a pool of 49, the chance of winning is 1 in 13,983,816. By selecting 15 numbers, the odds improve to 1 in 2,794. Mandel’s algorithm ensured he could at least win the second prize, along with hundreds of smaller prizes, while significantly boosting his chances of hitting the jackpot.
Initially, Mandel collaborated with four friends, each purchasing 228 lottery tickets. Their combined effort paid off when they won a jackpot worth approximately $2,000 at the time. After deducting expenses, Mandel had enough money to move his family abroad.
A Revolutionary Approach to Lottery Playing
After years of wandering across Europe, Mandel settled in Australia and refined his lottery strategy. His bold and systematic approach enabled him to win larger jackpots repeatedly in the 1990s, cementing his legacy as a pioneer in lottery mathematics.
Key Takeaway
Stefan Mandel’s story proves that the lottery isn’t always about luck—it can also be about strategy, mathematics, and determination.
How to Avoid Losing Your Lottery Jackpot: Lessons from 14-Time Winner Stefan Mandel
Many lottery winners squander their jackpots on extravagant homes, luxury cars, gambling, or lawsuits. Robert Pagliarini, a financial planning expert, advises winners to hire a “financial support team” to help them plan wisely for the future.
The “Financial Support Team” for Lottery Winners
Pagliarini emphasizes the importance of assembling a team consisting of:
- A lawyer to navigate legal complexities.
- A tax expert to manage tax obligations.
- A financial advisor to develop long-term plans and safeguard wealth.
This team not only provides smart financial guidance but also protects winners from media scrutiny and requests for money from others.
Stay Grounded and Focused
According to Pagliarini, the most crucial step after winning a jackpot is to stay calm and focus on a practical, long-term financial plan.
Stefan Mandel’s Rise and Fall
After 14 lottery wins, Romanian-Australian mathematician Stefan Mandel set his sights on the Virginia Lottery, known for its massive prizes despite low odds. However, his tactics, which included purchasing large numbers of tickets and printing them at home, violated new lottery laws in the U.S. and Australia. Mandel was arrested and served a 20-month prison sentence in Israel.
Following his release, Mandel retired to Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation famous for its volcanic landscapes and waterfalls.
The Legacy of Mandel’s Strategy
While Mandel’s previous wins were legal, evolving laws have since banned his methods. Purchasing bulk tickets and home-printing lottery entries are now prohibited. His story remains a testament to mathematical ingenuity and a cautionary tale about adapting to changing rules.
Stefan Mandel’s Lottery Strategy: A Genius Formula That’s Now Outlawed
Today, the two fundamental components of Mandel’s lottery-winning strategy are banned. However, his groundbreaking method, which led to 14 jackpot wins, remains a fascinating case study in exploiting mathematical loopholes. Below are the six steps Mandel used to amass substantial wealth from lotteries:
- Calculate All Possible Number Combinations
For instance, in a lottery requiring six numbers between 1 and 40, there are 3,838,380 possible combinations. - Target Lotteries with Jackpots Exceeding Triple the Cost of Buying All Combinations
Mandel focused on lotteries where the jackpot was at least three times the total investment needed to cover all possible tickets. - Gather Sufficient Funds
Mandel collaborated with 2,524 investors to generate the necessary capital to “attack” the Virginia lottery jackpot. - Print Millions of Tickets Covering Every Combination
While this practice was once legal, modern regulations now require tickets to be purchased directly from authorized retailers, making this step impossible today. - Distribute Tickets to Licensed Lottery Retailers
Mandel and his team ensured that all tickets reached official distribution channels. - Claim the Prize and Distribute Returns to Investors
When Mandel won a $1.3 million jackpot in 1987, he paid out nearly all the winnings to his investors, retaining only $97,000 for himself.
Conclusion
Stefan Mandel’s story is a testament to the power of creative thinking and strategy. While his method is no longer viable under modern lottery rules, it remains a fascinating example of turning mathematical insights into real-world success.
