Singapore lottery is the name given to a series of gambling games run by the state-owned company, Singapore Pools. The games are popular in Asia and other parts of the world. These games offer a wide range of prizes, from cash to sports team drafts and even to Broadway shows. Despite their popularity, the games are illegal in many jurisdictions.
Unlike most lotteries in the world, the operation of public lotteries in Singapore is prohibited by law unless they are covered under one of the statutory exceptions under the Common Gaming House Act (CGHA). Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for businesses to organise lucky draws to promote their products or services. The question of whether these lucky draws are legal is therefore often raised.
In the last financial year, punters in Singapore wagered a total of $9.2 billion on 4D, Toto and Singapore Sweep and sports bets, a 40 per cent increase over the previous year’s total of $6.6 billion. This was largely due to the excitement surrounding the 2022 Football World Cup, a Tote Board spokesperson told The Straits Times.
Toto was first introduced in 1968 and is a lottery game operated by Singapore Pools, the country’s only legal lottery operator. It is also known by several other names around the world and is considered to be one of the most popular forms of gambling in Singapore. The profits from the game are used for charity and other worthy causes.
The jackpot system with Toto was changed in 1981, allowing the prize money to grow over time instead of being fixed for each draw. This change made the game more attractive to players, who were previously satisfied with a fairly generous jackpot that paid out every draw.
Winnings from the Singapore lottery are not taxed in the country, as they are considered to be windfalls and not income. However, a number of studies have found that lottery winnings can lead to a variety of negative health outcomes. For example, a study from Australia found that a lottery winner’s family and friends tend to spend less on food and education, while their children’s grades may suffer.
A construction worker in Singapore has become a millionaire overnight after striking it big on the latest Singapore Sweep lottery draw. Photos of the Indian migrant worker, who has been identified as Karuppaiah Gobinath, have gone viral online after he won the top prize of S$2.3 million with a S$3 ticket. The man has since received his cheque from United Overseas Bank. Netizens have congratulated him and are calling him “the millionaire construction worker.” Besides the money, he also won a UOB credit card.
