A $1 slip of paper that could change someone's life. A combination of six numbers that could equate to six-figure winnings. The national lottery could literally be the golden ticket to a luxury lifestyle, at least for the average Joe.
Yet, for whatever reason, billions of winnings go unclaimed every year. Whether it be a simple misreading of the numbers or the classic washing machine mishap when a ticket is left in one's pocket, research has shown that $2.89bn worth of prizes in the 12 months up to June 2017 was missed out on.
When taking a closer look at some infamous lottery results here, you would imagine that hopeful players would never leave the ticket out of their sight lest they risk letting a life-changing fortune slip through their pockets. Such was the case of Hung Nguyen in 2015, who missed out on over $1m of winnings after losing his triumphant ticket.
It seems ludicrous for famous figures in the entertainment industry to gamble on a winning combination - given their wealth of riches through music, television or other avenues - but a number of celebrity faces are no stranger to the game of luck, whether it be good or bad.
Here, Media Mole takes a look at five examples of history's most famous lucky - and sometimes unlucky - lottery players, as well as representation of the game in popular television.
5. Madonna
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Widely regarded as the "Queen of Pop", Madonna and her 300m record sales need not try their luck at a six-figure combination, but to stay true her Italian roots and promote the local market, she is a keen SuperEnaLotto player. The 62-year-old is reported to have scooped €120,000 in 2012, with her total winnings amounting to a staggering €250,000. Known for her contributions to charity, Madonna donated the money towards school building projects in Malawi.
4. Hugh Jackman
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The Greatest Showman also happens to be a well-renowned lotto player, as Hugh Jackman has revealed that he purchased tickets for crew members on movie sets every Friday as a means of striking up a positive relationship with his colleagues. During his 15 years of "tradition" as he calls it, Jackman claims that one recipient of his tickets scooped $1,500 in winnings.
3. Neighbours
The likes of Family Guy and The Simpsons provide some light-hearted humour when it comes to the game of lottery, but Australian soap opera Neighbours takes a slightly different approach. While caring for a dying patient, two nurses - Audrey and Nicolette - discover an unclaimed winning ticket worth $100,000, which they decide to keep for themselves given the absence of the patient's family during his final days.
While Nicolette spends her winnings freely, Audrey feels guilty and eventually wants to confess, much to her colleague's disapproval. A $50,000 charity donation raises suspicions, and eventually the girls' secret is revealed, leaving Nicolette in great debt to the patient's family as Audrey feels a weight has been lifted off her shoulders.
2. Paris Hilton
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Socialite Paris Hilton is in no need of a life-changing amount of money from the lottery, but the 40-year-old still tries her luck at a winning combination. In 2008, it was reported that Hilton splashed out on 1,500 SuperEnalotto tickets, controversially admitting that she would donate just 10% of any winnings to charity. However, the American media mogul was not fortunate enough to win.
1. 50 Cent
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The most appropriately named celebrity on this list, 50 Cent was desperate for more than 50 cent in winnings when he tried his hand at Powerball in 2016 - a few months after filing for bankruptcy. The 45-year-old rapper came so close yet so far as he posted an image of his powerball ticket - with three out of five winning numbers - missing out on a jackpot of $900m and claiming a measly $7 before vowing to continue playing.
