Toto (lottery)
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2022}}
{{short description|Lottery in Singapore}}
{{Infobox lottery
|name = Toto
|native_name =
|native_name_lang =
|image = Totoghimmoh.jpg
|alt =
|caption = |Singapore Pools outlet at Ghim Moh
|region = Singapore
|launch_date = {{Start date|1968|06|09|df=y}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qVe2DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA170|title=Singapore, My Country: Biography Of M Bala Subramanion|first=Sengupta|last=Nilanjana|publisher=World Scientific|year=2016|pages=170–171|isbn=978-981-31-4129-2|via=Google Books}}
|final_date =
|operator = Singapore Pools
|chief =
|regulator =
|legislation =
|highest =
|odds =
|games =
|broadcaster =
|url = {{URL|www.singaporepools.com.sg}}
}}
Toto (est. in 1968 and stylised as TOTO) is a legalised form of lottery sold in Singapore, known by different names elsewhere. It is held by Singapore Pools, the only legal lottery operator in Singapore. As of April 2015, it was the second most popular type of gambling activity after 4-Digits.{{cite web|url=http://www.mcys.gov.sg/MCDSFiles/download/gambling_survey.pdf|title=More than Half of Singapore Gambles; But Only 2 in 100 at Risk of Gambling Addiction|date=13 April 2005|publisher=Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210114230/http://www.mcys.gov.sg/MCDSFiles/download/gambling_survey.pdf|archive-date=10 February 2007|access-date=23 November 2018}} The profits from Toto go to the Singapore Totalisator Board (the owner of Singapore Pools) which uses the money for charity and other worthy causes.
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. In 1981, "snowballing" was introduced. It allowed the top prize to increase from draw to draw. The system entry mode is introduced so multiple bets can be made on a single coupon.{{cite web|url=https://www.rushresults.com/toto/|title=Singapore Toto Results|date=22 November 2018|website=rushresults.com|access-date=23 November 2018}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.asiaone.com/singapore/toto-dangle-fatter-top-prize-slimmer-odds|title=Toto to dangle fatter top prize, slimmer odds|author=Jermyn Chow|date=28 August 2014|website=AsiaOne|access-date=23 November 2018}}
The game introduced several popular draws, including the Toto Millennium Draw (30 December 1999), the Hongbao Draw (10 February 2000){{cite web|url=http://graphics.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/Interactives/2016/02/toto-hongbao-draw/index.html|title=Toto Hongbao Draw: Winning numbers and 103 lucky outlets|date=19 February 2016|newspaper=The Straits Times|access-date=20 November 2018}} and the Mooncake Draw (6 October 2006).
On 7 October 2014 Toto was changed to a '6 out-of 49' format. In September 2016, Toto became available online.{{cite web|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/parliament/news/most-users-of-legal-online-gambling-sites-not-first-time-9998486|title=Most users of legal online gambling sites not first-time gamblers|author=Josephine Teo|date=28 February 2018|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|access-date=23 November 2018}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/queues-at-lucky-outlets-as-punters-rush-for-last-chance-at-139-million-toto-prize-money|title=Queues at 'lucky' outlets as punters rush for last chance at $13.9 million Toto prize money|date=19 February 2018|first1=Jalelah Abu|last1=Baker|first2=Rachel|last2=Chia|first3=Dominic|last3=Teo|newspaper=The Straits Times|access-date=23 November 2018}}
=Placing of bets=
There are 4 different ways to place bets:
| border=1 cellspacing=0 | |
| |QuickPick | The computer randomly selects 6 numbers from 1 to 49 for the buyer. No bet slip is required for QuickPick bets. |
| |Ordinary Bet | The buyer selects 6 numbers from 1 to 49 by marking them on a bet slip. |
| |System Bet | The buyer selects 7 to 12 numbers from 1 to 49 by marking on a bet slip. For example, a System 9 bet is a selection of 9 numbers. |
| |System Roll | The buyer selects only 5 numbers from 1 to 49. The 6th number is a guaranteed winning number. |
=Bet Slip=
= Bet Types =
| border=1 cellspacing=0 | ||
| |Bet Type | Number of Ordinary Bet combinations | Cost |
| |Ordinary | 1 | S$1 |
| |System 7 | 7 | S$7 |
| |System 8 | 28 | S$28 |
| |System 9 | 84 | S$84 |
| |System 10 | 210 | S$210 |
| |System 11 | 462 | S$462 |
| |System 12 | 924 | S$924 |
| |System Roll | 44 | S$44 |
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.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
=Payout and odds=
| class="wikitable" | |||
| Prize Group | Matches | Prize | Odds of winning{{cite web |title=Singapore Toto |url=https://www.intmath.com/counting-probability/singapore-toto.php |website=intmath.com |access-date=23 February 2019}} |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Jackpot) | 6 numbers | 38% of prize pool | 1 in 13,983,816 |
| 2 | 5 numbers plus the additional number | 8% of prize pool | 1 in 2,330,636 |
| 3 | 5 numbers | 5.5% of prize pool | 1 in 55,491 |
| 4 | 4 numbers plus the additional number | 3% of prize pool | 1 in 22,197 |
| 5 | 4 numbers | $50 per winning combination | 1 in 1,083 |
| 6 | 3 numbers plus the additional number | $25 per winning combination | 1 in 812 |
| 7 | 3 numbers | $10 per winning combination | 1 in 61 |
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.ncpg.org.sg/docs/default-source/publications/ncpg-gambling-participation-surveys/gps_2020_public_report_(final).pdf|title=Report on survey on participation in Gambling activities among Singapore Residents, 2020}}
See also
References
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