Singapore Pools is a government-owned entity that manages lotteries and sports betting in Singapore. Its activities are regulated by the Tote Board, which is a statutory body.
The Tote Board’s last annual report showed that total wagering on lottery and sports betting products in Singapore was SGD9.2 billion (US$6.8 billion), a 43% increase over the previous year’s results. In addition, entry collections increased by SGD125 million, a 10 per cent boost to the total figure.
TOTO is one of the most popular lottery games in Singapore, which uses a simple format and has a variety of prize tiers. In order to win, players must choose six numbers from 1 to 49 and an additional number. The price of an ordinary TOTO entry is $1, inclusive of GST.
System roll: This method is more expensive than an ordinary TOTO entry, but it increases the odds of winning by giving players more opportunities to win. However, it can also reduce the chances of winning a jackpot prize.
Winnings from the lottery are not taxable in Singapore as they are windfalls, and not income. Similarly, winnings from sports bets and fruit machine jackpots are also not taxable in the country.
Scams & Misconceptions:
The Singapore government has urged residents to beware of lottery scams that target them through WhatsApp messages and social media platforms. The messages often involve religious figures who claim to be affiliated with a particular religion and offer them lottery prizes. Some 55 people have lost US$376,896 to these scams.