When it comes to gambling, nothing is more popular than playing the PCSO lotto in the Philippines. This type of game offers players the chance to become millionaires overnight, which is why it has always been a popular choice among local players.
If you’re new to playing the lotto, don’t worry – it’s actually quite simple. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about playing the lotto in the Philippines.
How does Lotto Work?
Lotto is a popular game in the Philippines and many people play it on a regular basis. There are a few different ways to play the lotto, but the most popular way is through online sites. PCSO has tried to get the widest reach possible by authorizing retailers and vendors to accommodate players nationwide.
One of the most important aspects of playing the lotto is choosing your numbers carefully. Some people like to choose numbers that are significant to them, such as birthdays or anniversaries. Others prefer to use numbers that they believe will be lucky for them. Others try to review the history results or summaries to somehow get hot and cold numbers to consider in their bets.
How to Play Lotto in the Philippines
The Philippine Lotto is very simple and straightforward to play. You do have to know which lotto game you’ll want to place bets on. It’s also useful to consider if you’re playing solo or pooling resources as a group. Here are the basic steps on how to get started:
- Choose your numbers carefully.
- Purchase your ticket. You can buy tickets from authorized retailers or you can play online through sites like GCash.
- Wait for the draw. Philippine Lotto draws are held at most thrice a day on a daily basis for the smaller games while there are assigned days of the week for major lotto games with very huge jackpot prizes.
- Check your ticket. You can always tune in to PTV4 for the livestream PCSO lotto draw or opt to go to their official Facebook or YouTube channel. If you’re able to match the numbers according to the rules of the game you chose — you win! There are also consolation prizes with major lotto draws, don’t worry.
Major Philippine Lotto Games
There are a number of lotto games to choose from when you’re playing in the Philippines. Each caters to very specific preferences and you’ll find the best one that suits your taste. Here is a complete list of Philippine Lotto games.
Philippine Lotto 6/42 requires players to pick six (6) numbers from a pool of forty-two (42) numbers. If you match all six of your numbers with the ones drawn, you win the jackpot!
Philippine Lotto 6/55 works in a similar way but requires players to pick six (6) numbers from a pool of fifty-five (55) numbers. The odds of winning are slightly lower in this game, but the jackpot is usually much higher. There are also consolation prizes for players who match five (5), four (4), or three (3) of the winning numbers.
Philippine Lotto 6/45 is another popular game that works in a similar way to the 6/42 and 6/55 games. However, in this game, players are required to pick six (6) numbers from a pool of forty-five (45) numbers.
The odds of winning are lower in this game, but the jackpot is usually higher. There are also consolation prizes for players who match five (5), four (4), or three (3) of the winning numbers.
Philippine Lotto 6/49 is another popular game that works in a similar way to the 6/42 and 6/55 games. However, in this game, players are required to pick six (6) numbers from a pool of forty-nine (49) numbers.
The odds of winning are lower in this game, but the jackpot is usually higher. There are also consolation prizes for players who match five (5), four (4), or three (3) of the winning numbers
How to Win Lotto
The Lotto is a game of chance and there is not a sure solid path to win every time a bet is made. But there are some ways to have better luck. Here are some tips and tricks on getting the odds on your side:
- Choose your game wisely, some games have better odds than others.
- Play multiple games. Don’t just focus on one game. The more games you play, the better your chances of winning.
- Use a lotto pool. A lotto pool is a group of people who pool their money together to buy tickets. This way, you can buy more tickets and increase your chances of winning.
- Avoid popular numbers, you’ll end up sharing the prize with a lot of people.
- Use lucky numbers. Pick numbers that are meaningful to you, such as birthdays or anniversaries. These numbers just might be your lucky numbers!
You might want to see: 433 Winners Ultra 6/55 PCSO Lotto on October 1, 2022
Philippine Lotto Draw Schedule
Philippine Lotto draws are held at most thrice a day on a daily basis for minor games. But for the major PCSO lotto, there are days of the week where a different lotto game is drawn.
Here’s an easy reference chart for the lotto draw schedule:
Philippine Lotto or PCSO Lotto FAQs
How much is the highest lotto jackpot prize won in the Philippines?
The highest lotto jackpot prize ever won in the Philippines was PHP 741 million. This was won by a single ticket holder in the Philippines from Olongapo City, Zambales on November 29, 2010, a combination of 11-16-42-47-31-37 in the Grand Lotto 6/55.
How many lotto outlets are there in the Philippines?
There are more than 10,000 lotto outlets in the Philippines. You can find them in almost every city and town in the country.
How can I pick lucky lotto numbers?
There is no surefire way to pick lucky lotto numbers. However, there are some things that you can do to increase your chances of winning. Try picking numbers that are meaningful to you. You can also try using a lotto number generator to help you choose random numbers.
How much is the cost per lotto ticket to join the PCSO lotto?
The cost of each lotto ticket can range from PHP10.00 to thousands. This depends on the PCSO lotto game you’ll choose and the number of draws you’d like to play. There are also variations of PCSO lotto games where you can choose a system play which is definitely more expensive than the per entry price.
Is there a legal age to play Philippine lotto?
Yes, you must be 18 years old or above to play Philippine Lotto.
Are Phillippine lotto winnings taxable?
Yes, Philippine Lotto winnings are subject to a 20% tax and it depends on the number of your winnings.
Can I play lotto online?
Yes, you can play lotto online but not the PCSO lotto games. You’d need to be careful on which online lotto game to choose to play and make sure that PAGCOR has endorsed this, too.
Can I buy lotto tickets online in the Philippines?
Yes, you can buy lotto tickets online in the Philippines but not the PCSO tickets though. Currently, all PCSO lotto games can only be purchased via a PCSO authorized retailer or vendor. They do have plans of having these available online. Hopefully, in the near future.
