The Complete Foreigner’s Guide to Korea’s Lotto 6/45 (2026 Updated)
Everything you need to know about buying, winning, and claiming Korea’s most popular lottery — whether you’re a tourist, expat, or migrant worker. What Is Korea Lotto 6/45? South Korea’s national lottery is officially called Lotto 6/45 , operated by Donghaeng Bokgwon (동행복권) under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The concept is straightforward: you pick 6 numbers from 1 to 45, and if all six match the weekly draw, you win the jackpot. A single game costs just ₩1,000 (approximately $0.75 USD) , and you can play up to five lines per ticket slip. Lotto 6/45 launched on December 2, 2002 , and quickly became one of the most culturally significant events in Korean weekly life. The draw takes place every Saturday at 8:35 PM , broadcast live on MBC television . In 2024, total lottery sales across South Korea surpassed 6 trillion Korean won (approximately $4.16 billion USD) , setting an all-time record — a testament to just how deeply woven Lotto has become into Korea...