won a/the lottery

[Tan Elaine]

I wish I won a lottery.

I wish I won the lottery.

Are both sentences correct? If so, what is the difference in meaning?

Thanks.

[5jj]

I wish I won a lottery.

I wish I won the lottery.

Neither is correct:

I wish I had won a/the lottery - in the past; but I didn't.
I wish I won a/the lottery every week - but I don't.
I hope I can win a/the lottery - in the future.

We normally have only one (national) lottery in mind, so the is more likely. However, if the speaker buys tickets for more than one lottery, then a is possible.