Left some aquatic animal; may end in numbers game (7)

I believe the answer is:

lottery

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'numbers game' is the definition.
'lottery' can be an answer for 'game' (lottery is a kind of game). I'm unsure of the 'numbers' bit.

'left some aquatic animal may end' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'some aquatic animal' becomes 'otter' (I've seen this before).
'end' says to take the final letters.
The last letter of 'may' is 'y'.
'l'+'otter'+'y'='LOTTERY'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lottery that I've seen before include "Prize draw" , "Risky operation" , "Random selection" , "Gamble" , "chancy business" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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