26 Lotto jackpot winners share P1.2B

PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan announced on Wednesday that 26 persons became new millionaires as they shared a total amount of P1.2 billion Lotto jackpots from January to May 2018.

Records from the PCSO’s Product and Research Development Division of the Gaming Sector indicated there were eight lucky millionaires for Lotto 6/42, eight for Lotto 6/45, four for Lotto 6/49, four for Lotto 6/55, and two for Lotto 6/58.

“After February 16, 2018, no one has won the jackpot for Lotto 6/58 up to this time and the accumulated prize money is already at P181,477,292. So buy your ticket now, who knows you can be the next lucky millionaire?” Balutan said.

People buy lottery tickets assuming that winning will bring them a prosperous, work-free or happy life, but research suggests they shouldn’t be so certain.

Anecdotes about how winning the lottery has lead “lucky” winners into bad luck, bankruptcy, or worse are very common.

Some lotto winners lose or spend all their money all at once, some fear for their life, some struggle with suicide and depression with the sudden lifestyle change.

“Given na ýung mga winners na gusto nila maging anonymous sila for security reasons. Sýempre di mo maiwasan ýung iba kapag nalaman na biglang yaman ka, dudumugin ka nila,” Balutan said.

“I would recommend avoiding sudden lifestyle changes. Don’t do anything drastic. Pay your debts. At ang pinaka-importante, invest wisely or seek expert financial advice or find yourself a trusted financial planner on what to do with your money. Ýan ang mga nakakalimutan ng mga biglaang milyonaryo eh,” he added.

Balutan shared that he constantly receives messages on his Facebook accounts: Mandirigma Kawanggawa and Community Page: Mandirigma sa Kawanggawa asking him to give them “lucky” numbers or share them secret on how to win the lottery.

“The only secret to winning the lottery is to get yourself a ticket. Hindi ka man manalo at least alam mo na part ng itinaya mo eh mapupunta sa charity fund,” Balutan said.

PCSO charter mandates that 55 percent of its revenues should be allocated for prizes, 15 percent for operational expenses, and 30 percent for its "charity fund.