Toto
RegionSingapore
Websitewww.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.[1] As of April 2015, it was the second most popular type of gambling activity after 4-Digits.[2] The profits from Toto go to the Singapore Totaliser 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.[3] In 1981, "snowballing" was introduced.[4] 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.[5]

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.[6]

The game introduced several popular draws, including the Toto Millennium Draw (30 December 1999), the Hongbao Draw (10 February 2000)[7] and the Mooncake Draw (6 October 2006).

On 7 October 2014 Toto was changed to a '6 out-of 49' format.[6] In September 2016, Toto became available online.[8]

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.[4]

Placing of bets

There are 4 different ways to place bets:

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

Back view of Toto Bet Slip

Bet Types

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.

Payout and odds

Prize GroupMatchesPrizeOdds of winning[9]
1 (Jackpot)6 numbers38% of prize pool1 in 13,983,816
25 numbers plus the additional number8% of prize pool1 in 2,330,636
35 numbers5.5% of prize pool1 in 55,491
44 numbers plus the additional number3% of prize pool1 in 22,197
54 numbers$50 per winning combination1 in 1,083
63 numbers plus the additional number$25 per winning combination1 in 812
73 numbers$10 per winning combination1 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.[9]

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.[10] An examination of Singapore's National Council on Problem Gambling helpline submissions from June 2015 to June 2016 also demonstrated the popularity of Toto. Among those who engaged in lottery activities, 57.8% participated in Toto.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Edward D. Melo (11 April 2017). "Information and Historical Facts About the Singapore Lottery" (in Indonesian). 18.139.106.242. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ↑ "More than Half of Singapore Gambles; But Only 2 in 100 at Risk of Gambling Addiction" (PDF). Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. 13 April 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 February 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  3. ↑
  4. 1 2 Baker, Jalelah Abu; Chia, Rachel; Teo, Dominic (19 February 2018). "Queues at 'lucky' outlets as punters rush for last chance at $13.9 million Toto prize money". The Straits Times. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  5. ↑ "Singapore Toto Results". rushresults.com. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  6. 1 2 Jermyn Chow (28 August 2014). "Toto to dangle fatter top prize, slimmer odds". AsiaOne. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  7. ↑ "Toto Hongbao Draw: Winning numbers and 103 lucky outlets". The Straits Times. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  8. ↑ Josephine Teo (28 February 2018). "Most users of legal online gambling sites not first-time gamblers". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  9. 1 2 "Singapore Toto". intmath.com. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  10. ↑ "Report on survey on participation in Gambling activities among Singapore Residents, 2020" (PDF).
  11. ↑ "More than 90% of Singaporeans Prefer Calls Over Chats".
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