Complete Guide to Lotto 6/45
Everything you need to know about Korea's flagship lottery — from buying tickets to claiming prizes.
What Is Lotto 6/45?
Lotto 6/45 is Korea's flagship number-selection lottery, operated by Dong-Haeng Lottery (λν볡κΆ). Players pick 6 numbers from 1 to 45, and prizes are determined by how many of the chosen numbers match the drawn numbers. Since its launch in December 2002, the lottery has been drawn every Saturday evening, with first-prize jackpots ranging from hundreds of millions to tens of billions of Korean won.
While the lottery is ultimately a game of chance, understanding the odds and structure behind it allows you to enjoy it more wisely. This guide covers everything from the basic structure to purchasing, drawing, and claiming prizes.
How to Buy
Offline Purchase
Tickets can be purchased at lottery retailers nationwide. Each game (one set of 6 numbers) costs 1,000 won (approximately $0.75 USD), and a single ticket can include up to 5 games. Sales hours run from Sunday 6:00 AM to Saturday 8:00 PM.
- Auto: The machine randomly selects numbers for you. This is the most popular method among buyers.
- Manual: You choose all 6 numbers yourself. Useful when you have your own lucky numbers in mind.
- Semi-auto: You choose some numbers, and the machine picks the rest.
Online Purchase
You can also buy tickets online through the official Dong-Haeng Lottery website (dhlottery.co.kr). After registering and depositing funds, you can purchase up to 5,000 won (5 games) per transaction. Online sales close every Saturday at 8:00 PM.
Drawing Process
The drawing takes place every Saturday at 8:35 PM, broadcast live on MBC. A total of 7 balls are drawn from a machine containing 45 balls. The first 6 balls drawn are the winning numbers, and the 7th ball is the bonus number. The bonus number is used only to determine 2nd prize winners.
Prize Tiers and Odds
| Tier | Winning Condition | Odds | Prize (Average) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | All 6 numbers match | 1 / 8,145,060 | ~2 billion won |
| 2nd | 5 numbers + bonus number | 1 / 1,357,510 | ~50 million won |
| 3rd | 5 numbers match | 1 / 35,724 | ~1.5 million won |
| 4th | 4 numbers match | 1 / 733 | Fixed 50,000 won |
| 5th | 3 numbers match | 1 / 45 | Fixed 5,000 won |
Did you know? The odds of winning the 1st prize are approximately 1 in 8.14 million. That is lower than the odds of being struck by lightning (about 1 in 1 million), yet on average more than 10 first-prize winners emerge every week.
How to Claim Prizes
Small Prizes (4th & 5th Tier)
5th prize (5,000 won) and 4th prize (50,000 won) can be collected at any lottery retailer. No identification is required — simply present the winning ticket.
Large Prizes (1st, 2nd & 3rd Tier)
Prizes of 3rd tier and above must be claimed at the NongHyup Bank headquarters. The claim period is 1 year from the date payouts begin. You will need to prepare the following documents:
- Original winning ticket
- Valid photo ID (resident registration card, driver's license, etc.)
- Bank account in your name
Tax Information
Lottery winnings are subject to taxation. Prizes up to 300 million won are taxed at 22% (20% income tax + 2% local tax), while amounts exceeding 300 million won are taxed at 33% (30% income tax + 3% local tax). Small prizes of 50,000 won or less (4th and 5th tier) are tax-free.
Responsible Lottery Playing
The lottery is an entertaining way to dream big with a small investment. However, excessive spending can strain your finances. Keep the following principles in mind for a healthy lottery experience:
- Only buy within a set budget (5,000 to 10,000 won per week is recommended).
- Remember that the lottery is entertainment, not an investment.
- Don't stress over not winning.
- Minors are prohibited from purchasing lottery tickets.
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