Korean Job Discussion Forums

[peachKitten713]

Hi, I know that there is lottery in South Korea, but I've only heard of the paper tickets that you have to match numbers with. Can foreigners buy these and collect if they win? Is it pretty straightforward?

Also, are there scratch-off lottery tickets? I enjoy those and would be interested in playing if possible.

Any information about lottery in Korea that anyone has would be most appreciated~!

[PigeonFart]

Here is the website of the official korean national lottery...
http://www.nanumlotto.co.kr/default_eng.asp
Check that website for the results.

Match 3 out of a possible 6 numbers, win 5,000 won.
Match 4 out of a possible 6 numbers, win 50,000 won.
Match 5 out of a possible 6 numbers, win about 1 million won. (amount changes)
Match 6 out of a possible 6 numbers, win about 1 billion won. (amount changes)

It costs 1,000 won for one line of numbers. You can play as many lines as you want. You can buy tickets in just some convenience stores (about 10% of stores). Look for the logo (as seen on the website linked above) on the windows of convenience stores.

Yes, non-koreans can collect their winnings. You are a legal resident of this country (if you have an Alien Registration Card) so the money is yours WHEN you win the jackpot...ahem....IF you win the jackpot.

You can pick your own numbers or have random numbers selected for you by filling out the sheet (as you would do in any other country) and ticking the appropriate boxes.

If you want to be good to the environment and not waste paper, just tell the cashier you want a lotto ticket...."로또 표 주세요" (Loh-do-pyo-jew-say-yo)
Then say how much you want to spend.
1 thousand won worth...."천원 어치." (chun-on-aww-chee)
2 thousand won worth...."이천원 어치." (eee-chun-on-aww-chee)
5 thousand won worth..."오천원 어치." (O-chun-on-aww-chee)
10 thousand won worth..."만원 어치." (man-on-aww-chee)

So if you want a lotto ticket with 5 lines that are randomly selected by the computer then all you would say is......."로또 표 주세요....오천원 어치."

[Before any other posters attack this thread...yes i'm aware of the saying that lotteries are a tax on the stupid. Intellectually i have to accept the wisdom in that statement. I told myself i was a fool when i bought a ticket, but my heart told me to buy it. People can be led by emotions much more than you'd think.]

[orosee]

Good description. A nice touch is that you can use your phone to scan the QR code on the ticket on Saturday evening and see immediately if you've won anything.

I feel it's a scam though; I played for the past 4 weeks and didn't get 6 or 6+1 correct numbers even once! What are the odds of that happening???

[Jake_Kim]

The dominant one in Korea is 'Lotto 6/45' which is virtually identical to American Powerball or others named 'Lotto.'

There's no restriction in participation and collection by foreigners (residents and non-residents alike), the same tax rule applies on the winnings unless a more favorable tax treaty applies.

Scratch games are now all consolidated under the brand name '스피또' with subtypes of 2000/1000/500, being sold at convenient stores and post offices.

[Yaya]

According to the BBC, the biggest jackpot in Korean lottery history occurred in 2003, when 13 people shared a jackpot worth 70 million U.S. dollars.

The biggest individual winner was a police officer who in 2003 won 40.7 billion won before taxes.

[peachKitten713]

Thank you all for the replies; very helpful!

Yeah, same with lending money- never play what you can't afford to lose haha. I've been a little lucky, but not often at all unfortunately. Once I won $125 on a 2 dollar scratch-off, so that wasn't bad. It'd be fun to play a little while I'm in Korea though, especially the scratch-offs ^^;;

[beentheredonethat777]

[jvalmer]

I once won 40,000-ish won... woo-hoo. Took it too the bank to claim it, and right off the bat they took off about 30%. I ended up with just under 30,000-won.

[3DR]

I played it for the first time last weekend. Got 3 out of 6! 5,000 won baby!

[Skippy]

[jvalmer]

[PigeonFart]

No actually, just take the 'match 4' winning ticket to any lottery agent and you'll get 50,000. I've done it a few times, even very recently so maybe the rules have changed since your day jvalmer.

[jvalmer]

[Weigookin74]

Sign me up! I may not have to teach little Koreans anymore. (But, they ain't so bad. Ha ha.)

[Skippy]

Well I won the lottery tonight. I got 5 out of 6 numbers. So I won about 1.5 million won. Plus another 50,000 won. Yep, I won twice! Will tell of how the cashing goes and how much tax is. Is it still Nonghyup bank to go to collect. Plus how much is the tax I have seen 22%, 30% (here).

Minus the drinks tonight. I hope to get a new smart phone.

Really! I won!