What Is Singapore Toto?
Singapore Toto is one of the most established lottery games in Southeast Asia, operated by Singapore Pools since 1968. It's a jackpot-style draw where players select numbers and win prizes based on how many they match against the drawn results. Every draw also contributes to a cascading prize pool, meaning jackpots can grow significantly when they roll over.
How to Play Toto
Players select 6 numbers from 1 to 49. During each draw, Singapore Pools draws 6 winning numbers plus 1 additional number. You win a prize if you match at least 3 of the 6 winning numbers.
There are several ways to enter:
- Ordinary Entry: You pick your own 6 numbers manually
- QuickPick: The terminal randomly selects 6 numbers for you
- System Entry: You select 7 to 12 numbers, and the system plays every possible 6-number combination from your selection
- System Roll: Fix 5 numbers and roll the 6th against all remaining numbers (1 to 49)
Prize Tiers and Odds
| Group | Numbers Matched | Approximate Odds | Prize Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (Jackpot) | 6 winning numbers | 1 in 13,983,816 | 38% of prize pool |
| Group 2 | 5 + additional | 1 in 2,330,636 | 8% of prize pool |
| Group 3 | 5 numbers | 1 in 55,491 | 5.5% of prize pool |
| Group 4 | 4 + additional | 1 in 14,655 | 3% of prize pool |
| Group 5 | 4 numbers | 1 in 435 | Fixed: $65 |
| Group 6 | 3 + additional | 1 in 118 | Fixed: $25 |
| Group 7 | 3 numbers | 1 in 61 | Fixed: $10 |
Prize percentages apply to the jackpot pool and are shared equally among Group 1–4 winners in that draw. Fixed prizes apply per winning entry regardless of the number of winners.
Snowball Draws and Cascade Jackpots
When no one wins the Group 1 jackpot, the prize rolls over to the next draw. Singapore Pools also holds special Snowball draws around festive periods, where accumulated funds from previous unawarded top prizes are added to the pool, often resulting in significantly larger jackpots. These draws attract higher-than-usual participation.
The Role of the Additional Number
The additional number (7th ball drawn) only counts toward Group 2 and Group 4 prizes. It does not replace any of the 6 winning numbers — it acts as a secondary matching condition that adds extra prize tiers without changing the core draw format.
Parimutuel Prize Distribution
Groups 1 through 4 use a parimutuel system: the prize pool for each group is divided equally among all winners in that group during that draw. This means a particularly popular winning combination — or a draw with many winners — results in smaller individual payouts. It also means the advertised jackpot is not guaranteed to any single winner if multiple entries share the top prize.
What Every Toto Player Should Know
- A standard single Toto entry costs S$1 (excluding GST)
- System entries cost significantly more due to the number of combinations generated
- QuickPick is statistically equivalent to any self-selected combination
- Prize claims must typically be made within 180 days of the draw date
- Toto winnings in Singapore are currently not subject to income tax