Toto (lottery)

History of Toto

Toto was established to control widespread illegal gambling in Singapore during the 1960s. A manual version of Toto was launched on 9 June 1968.

On 19 May 1986 Toto was offered as a computerised on-line game based on a '5 out-of 49' format. In 1988, the game was changed from a '5 out-of 49' format to a '6 out-of 42' format. On 1 July 1997, Toto's format was changed once again to a '6 out-of 45' format.

The game introduced several popular draws, including the Toto Millennium Draw (30 December 1999), the Hongbao Draw (10 February 2000) and the Mooncake Draw (6 October 2006).

On 7 October 2014 Toto was changed to a '6 out-of 49' format.

Method of Play

A buyer picks at least six numbers, from 1 to 49. The winning numbers drawn include six numbers plus an additional number. Three or more winning numbers on a ticket matching the seven numbers drawn qualifies the buyer for a cash prize. The prize money escalates with the increase in numbers matched.

The maximum allowed matching numbers is seven (with the winner winning both group 1 and group 2 of the draw – this can only happen if the person bought a ticket of system 7 and above). Thus, if six numbers on the Toto ticket matches the six numbers drawn (apart from the additional number), the jackpot (Group 1) prize is won.

Placing of bets

There are 4 different ways to place bets:

Bet Slip

Bet Types

The minimum bet amount is S$1.00 per bet ticket. Bets can also be placed by bet amounts. The computer automatically sells the buyer the maximum number of bets for the bet type placed. The balance amount is placed on the next lowest bet type.

Payout and odds

The odds of winning any prize are 1 in 54. 54% of the total Toto sales for each draw goes to the Toto prize pool. The Group 1 prize has a minimum guaranteed amount of $1 million. If there are no winners in one of the groups (excluding Group 5, 6 & 7), the respective group's prize will be snowballed to the next draw. Group 1 prizes can only be snowballed up to 4 draws, thereafter, the prize will be cascaded to Group 2.

Popularity

A survey on participation in gambling activities among Singapore residents conducted in 2020 revealed that Toto is one of the most popular gambling activities, with 34% of respondents mentioning it.

References

References

1. Nilanjana, Sengupta. (2016). "Singapore, My Country: Biography Of M Bala Subramanion". World Scientific.
2. (13 April 2005). "More than Half of Singapore Gambles; But Only 2 in 100 at Risk of Gambling Addiction". [[Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports]].
3. (22 November 2018). "Singapore Toto Results".
4. Jermyn Chow. (28 August 2014). "Toto to dangle fatter top prize, slimmer odds".
5. (19 February 2016). "Toto Hongbao Draw: Winning numbers and 103 lucky outlets". [[The Straits Times]].
6. Josephine Teo. (28 February 2018). "Most users of legal online gambling sites not first-time gamblers". [[Channel NewsAsia]].
7. (19 February 2018). "Queues at 'lucky' outlets as punters rush for last chance at $13.9 million Toto prize money". [[The Straits Times]].
8. "Singapore Toto".
9. "Report on survey on participation in Gambling activities among Singapore Residents, 2020".