제 23 호 LOTTO
Kicker : ENTERTAINMENT
LOTTO
Lotto: Sells 95 Billion Won Every Week
By Myung-Kwan Kang, Reporter
Have you ever bought a lottery ticket? The lottery is popular because it offers the chance to win a large amount of money with a small investment. But what does the term “lottery” actually mean? The word “lotto(lottery)” comes from Italian, where it means “fortune.” In 1530, the Italian city-state of Firenze(Florence) issued a lottery called the “Firenze Lotto” to fund public projects. Since then, the term “lotto” has become a common name for lotto games.
https://www.dhlottery.co.kr/common.do?method=main
History
When did the lottery start? If we look into the history of lotteries, there are records indicating that they existed as early as Roman times. It is said that Roman emperors distributed prizes through lotteries to gain support from the people. Later, lotteries became popular in medieval Europe.
So, when did the lottery start in our country? In Korea, it was issued under the name of the housing lottery for 37 years, from 1969 to 2006. The housing lottery was a lottery issued by the government to raise funds for housing construction, and houses or cash were awarded to winners through weekly drawings. The housing lottery was greatly loved by the people, and many lined up to buy it.
However, the housing lottery was abolished in 2006, and what took its place was the Donghang Lottery(formerly Nanum Lotto). The Donghang lottery started in 2002 and is still the most popular lottery in Korea. The Donghang Lottery determines the winner through a draw broadcast live on MBC every Saturday at 8:35 PM. Proceeds from the Donghang Lottery are used in various fields such as social welfare, cultural welfare, healthcare, and the environment, contributing to improving the quality of life for the people.
World Lotto Types
Lotto exists in various forms around the world. Since the name of the lotto, drawing method, prize money, issuing organization, etc., are different in each country, let's explore a few examples.
Powerball in the United States: Powerball is the most popular lotto in the United States, available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. In Powerball, five numbers are selected from 1 to 69, and one additional number, called the Powerball, is selected from numbers 1 to 26.
Loto6 in Japan: Loto6 is the most popular lotto lottery in Japan, where players select 6 numbers from 1 to 43.
El Gordo in Spain: El Gordo is the oldest lotto in Spain, dating back to 1812. El Gordo tickets are sold every year from July to Christmas. A lottery ticket is numbered from 1 to 100,000, with multiple copies of each number issued, allowing multiple winners with the same number. El Gordo's draw is unique, with children traditionally singing and announcing the numbers and prizes.
In addition to these, there are various lotteries around the world. Examples include EuroMillions in the UK, Loto in France, Lotto 6/49 in Germany, and Powerball in Australia.
Paying with Credit Cards
Card payments cannot be made when purchasing a lottery ticket. What is the reason for this? While many people buy lottery tickets for fun or in small amounts, some individuals become addicted to them. Allowing these addicted individuals to purchase lottery tickets with a credit card would enable them to buy tickets without having any cash on hand. Additionally, paying by card can exacerbate the problem of overindulgence. Therefore, the law requires that lottery tickets be purchased with cash.
Good Places
Lotto stores that produce many first-place winners are called "good places." The odds of winning first place in the lotto are approximately 1 in 8,140,000. Because many people buy tickets at these so-called "good places," there is a higher probability that many people will win first place, further enhancing the store's reputation. However, this is simply because they sell a large volume of tickets; the probability of winning remains the same.
Is there Manipulation?
Some people believe that the lottery is rigged. Is it possible for the lottery to be rigged? Let's examine this claim. There are two main arguments made by those who believe the lottery is rigged. The first is that the lotto draw video is a recorded broadcast, and the second is that there are many first-place winners. First, for those who think the lottery draw broadcast is recorded, it can be confirmed that it is broadcast live every Saturday at 8:35 PM. Additionally, since police officers, officials, and audience members conduct the inspection together, tampering is not possible.
Second, the occurrence of many first-place winners can be understood through probability. Lotto ticket sales reach approximately 95 billion won per week. Given the odds of winning first place, which are approximately 1 in 8,140,000, dividing the total sales by these odds suggests there should be about 12 winners. Therefore, it is natural to see a significant number of first-place winners.
Impact of Lotto
Lotto is highly popular around the world and has had a significant cultural impact. This game is more than just a number-matching lottery; it has a strong appeal to the public.
The popularity of the lottery is primarily due to its simplicity and the variety of ways to participate. Many people can join the lotto at relatively low costs and indulge in dreams of winning big. This accessibility has made the lotto beloved across various social classes and economic levels.
The popularity of the lotto can also be seen as a response to the stress and uncertainty of modern life. Lotteries offer participants a sense of anticipation and hope through regularly scheduled drawings each week, providing a break from routine and a positive outlook. Consequently, the lotto is regarded as a unique game that extends beyond a mere lottery, with significant cultural and social influence.
In conclusion, Lotto started as a simple game of guessing numbers but has grown into a major cultural and social phenomenon. The introduction of online lotteries shows how Lotto has adapted to the digital age and the changing needs of society. By using online platforms, offering different ways to participate, and focusing on environmental sustainability, Lotto has proven it can be both innovative and responsible. Its impact is felt worldwide, bringing people together across cultures and supporting social good. As Lotto continues to evolve, it will likely keep growing in importance and positively influence people everywhere, combining tradition with modern ideas.
Sources:
https://blog.naver.com/yoo22411/221429469207
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH2Ha16Jlos&t=88s
https://triplehappy.tistory.com/entry/%EB%A1%9C%EB%98%90-%EB%B3%B5%EA%B6%8C%EC%9D%98-%EC%97%AD%EC%82%AC%EC%99%80-%EC%A2%85%EB%A5%98
