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ILotto is more than a game: nothing is relyed on chance because the real players choose the numbers according to a really precise rite. This rite involve also supernatural entities: Saints, the Virgin Maria, elves (as the Monaciello) or deads (aboveall the souls in purgatory) are contacted through prayers and rites.
You can therefore understand in the game of lotto the sacred and the profane mix unceasingly, pointing out the syncretic character of popular catholicism.
You should also notice that a deep reverential respect exists towards the supernatural entities: usually indeed, in order to receive sume numbers to play, they do not invoke God; they prefer to make reference to more familiar supernatural intermediaries.
Which Saint is therefore more familiar to Neapolitans than San Gennaro?
San Gennaro himself comes and helps for the lotto wins. He competes people favour with San Pantaleone, patron saint of lotto players. Let’s have a look at a rite referred to San Pantaleone: It’s been told San Pantaleone statue is hollow on the back because that’s the place through which he let people find the numbers for the lotto. In order to obtain them, you have to pray at midnight the “novena of houndred invocations” for nine consecutive nights; you have to be on your knees while praying. During the last of the nine nights, San Pantaleone will come in from the window and will give you the numbers. As alternative, you can leave a sheet of paper and a pen on your bedside table; you have to leave the window open, get asleep and do not have to try and see what happens: if the Saint accepts the novena, the next day you will find on the sheets the right numbers to play.
Another rite to win a tern is: on Monday night you have to pray the Madonna or God; then you have to pray five Pater Noster and five Ave Maria. At the end you will pray this formula:

“Oggi è Luna e dimane è Marte
A sorte mia mo’ se parte
Vene pe’ mare e vene pe’ terra
Viene ‘nzuonne sorte mia bella
Viene ‘nzuonne e non m’appaurà
Tre belli nummere famme sunna’

In the following day, the person who prayed these words will receive the numbers interpretating what he dreamt the night before.
Neapolitan lotto players usually invoke the Madonna di Piedigrotta (through candles lighting) or the Madonna del Carmine, called “Mamma nera” (“Dark Mum”). In the past times Madonna del Carmine gave the numbers through a monk who lived in the monastery next to the church dedicated to her.
Obviously it can happen that Saints can not grant believers wishes; in this case, believers hurl curses at the unfortunate Saint.