Japan Loto 6 Exposed — An Asian Treasure Chest You Should Try?
Japan Loto 6 Review
Have you heard about Takarakuji? The word stands for fortune or treasure lottery and it refers to the official entity in Japan responsible for organizing such games. Takarakuji will let you test your fortune quite well. One of the most prominent games in the country is called Loto 6 and it’s recognized for the particularly juicy odds of winning the jackpot.
Now that we’ve got your attention (putting the word “jackpot” in the opening paragraph is always a good idea), it’s time to take a look at the most important Loto 6 characteristics and the way in which these affect the attractiveness of the lottery.
Check out our TheLotter reviews to know if you can buy Takarakuji lottery online
What Is Loto 6?
Takarakuji’s Loto 6 is one of the most prominent lotteries in the country. It’s one of two quite popular options, the other one being Lotto 7. While Lotto 7 does come with bigger prizes, the odds of winning the jackpot aren’t as favorable.
Loto 6 was first established in the autumn of 2000. Ever since the minimum guaranteed jackpot has been set at 100 million yen. This impressive sum quickly grew the popularity of Loto 6, expanding its fame even beyond the borders of Japan.
Loto 6 drawings take place two times per week – every Monday and Thursday. Participation in the game is rather inexpensive. A single entry costs players 200 yen, which is approximately 1.73 US dollars.
How to Play Loto 6?
Loto 6 is pretty straightforward and we promise that you’re not going to get lost in the regulations.
For a chance to win the jackpot, choose 6 numbers in the range from 1 to 43. A single line can be purchased for 200 yen. Ticket sales are open until 6:30 pm on the days of drawing (Monday and Thursday).
Apart from the 6 main numbers in each drawing, a bonus number will also be selected. This bonus number has an impact on some of the lower prize tiers. Apart from the jackpot top tier, there are 4 additional ways in which players can win a Loto 6 prize.
If there’s no jackpot winner for the respective week, the sum will roll over towards the next drawing. Rollovers can occur until a maximum amount is reached. This maximum amount is 400 million yen, after which the prize will have to be paid out.
Prizes and Odds
As already mentioned, Loto 6 comes with a minimum guaranteed jackpot and a prize limit that determines the maximum amount. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 6,096,454, which is pretty favorable in comparison to other lotteries. The small numerical pool to choose from is one of the reasons for the relatively good odds.
| Match | Odds |
|---|---|
| 6 | 1 in 6,096,454 |
| 5+1 | 1 in 1,016,076 |
| 5 | 1 in 28,224 |
| 4 | 1 in 610 |
| 3 | 1 in 39 |
Until present, the maximum jackpot of 400 million yen has been won on about 15 different occasions.
The second prize tier is determined by the bonus number. Players that have 5 correct main numbers and the bonus number can win up to 1.5 million yen. The odds of winning the second prize are 1 in 1,016,076.
The third prize tier comes with odds of 1 in 28,224 and a cash amount of 3.5 million yen. People who get 4 numbers correct will win 9,500 yen and the smallest prize is a fixed one of 1,000 yen. The prizes that aren’t fixed will depend entirely on the number of tickets sold for the respective drawing and the winners per prize tier. The available sum will be split evenly among all of the winners.
Some Information for Winners
Players have one year from the date of the respective drawing to make a prize claim. Prizes of less than 50,000 yen can be cashed out at any licensed retail venue. Larger prizes can be claimed at a Mizuho Bank branch throughout the country.
In order to make a prize claim in the bank, players should bring along their winning ticket and a document that proves their identity (a passport, ID card, driver’s license, etc.).
Keep in mind that the bank will have a standard processing time of approximately one week for prize claims that exceed one million yen. Smaller prizes will be paid out on the day that the claim is being made.
All of the lottery prizes in Japan are paid out in the form of a tax-free lump sum. If you’re an international player, you should check for the regulations in your country of residence.
Can You Buy Japan Loto 6 Tickets Online?
International players have access to Loto 6 tickets through online lottery agents. Several of the platforms have local representatives in Japan, making it possible for people from all parts of the world to test the game.
The Bottom Line at Japan Loto 6
One of the most popular lotteries in Japan is definitely worth a try. Loto 6 has a big number of positive characteristics, the most important ones being:
Why You Should Play Japan Loto 6
Pros:
The lottery is organized by a state entity and there are strict regulations in the country
International players can buy Loto 6 tickets online
There’s a minimum guaranteed jackpot of 100 million yen
The jackpot will roll over if there’s no winner for the respective drawing
Drawings take place two times per week
Loto 6 has four additional prize tiers on top of the jackpot
The odds of winning the jackpot are pretty favorable
A single ticket costs solely 200 yen
Jackpots and large prizes in Japan are paid out in the form of a tax-free lump sum
Some of the funds generated through ticket sales will go to support good causes and developments in Japan
There are several key shortcomings that can potentially decrease the attractiveness of the lottery for some players:
Why You Shouldn’t Play Japan Loto 6
Cons:
The format is a pretty standard one, there aren’t bonuses or add-ons that can potentially increase the size of the prizes
Lower prize tiers aren’t too impressive
There’s a cap on jackpot growth, which eliminates the chance for massive growth
Is Japan Loto 6 Legit?
Loto 6 is not a scam. The history of lotteries in Japan dates back to the 17th century with a massive revival after the end of World War II. This is when the foundations of contemporary lotteries were established.
Takarakuji is a state lottery entity and its activity is regulated by strict laws. There are regulations about the funds to be contributed towards the prize pool and the amount that should be distributed for the funding of other causes. Because of these strict regulations, Loto 6 is completely legitimate and it doesn’t pose any risk to local or international players.
Today, Mizuho Bank is commissioned by the Japanese government to collaborate with Takarakuji and handle the financial operations of lotteries in the country. In addition, Takarakuji lottery tickets are sold by six regional organizations that are also responsible for ensuring the fairness of the process.
If you’re looking for huge jackpots, Loto 6 isn’t the right opportunity for you. If you, however, are interested in favorable odds and an affordable national lottery to try, you’ll probably be pleased by Loto 6 in Japan. While it doesn’t feature an amazingly innovative format, this lottery is definitely a neat opportunity to win some reasonable (even pretty good) cash.
June Leebo
When I first say the 400 million cap on the prize and then it pays out, I thought wow. Then I did the calculations and it works about to be around 3.5 million USD. That does make this a fairly average lottery. A nice one as it is very straightforward, so easy to play, but definitely not going to get to a mega jackpot.