Toto (lottery)
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. The profits from Toto go to the Singapore Totalisator Board 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.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, the Hongbao Draw and the Mooncake Draw.
On 7 October 2014 Toto was changed to a '6 out-of 49' format. In September 2016, Toto became available online.
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. Thus, if six numbers on the Toto ticket matches the six numbers drawn, the jackpot prize is won.