111 bettors came close to winning lotto pot - PCSO

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) reported yesterday that some 111 online lottery players got five digits of the winning lotto combination last Saturday and won the consolation price of P150,000 each, but nobody won the jackpot of more than P543 million.

The winning combination for the 6/55 Grand Lotto draw was 18-17-36-04-40-13 with a jackpot of P543,663,672.20

The PCSO said the Grand Lotto top prize is expected to increase further as sales for the past 6/55 draws have hit more than P200 million per draw.

“The lotto frenzy is all over the country,” said a PCSO official.

PCSO officials said the long lines in lotto outlets are now a familiar sight not only in Metro Manila but nationwide.

The official said that the 111 players were just one digit shy of the jackpot, an indication that the odds to hit the jackpot are now getting smaller.

The 111 lucky winners of the consolation prize could now collect their winnings at PCSO offices nationwide.

Other winners of consolation prizes include the bettors who won P4,000 for getting four digits of the winning combination, while those who got three digits won P150.

In northern Metro Manila, lotto bettors have reportedly formed groups to make bets using the system combination wherein the computer picks up to 924 combinations.

A ticket for the Grand Lotto costs only P20 but a player could play from system 7, which is worth P140, and the maximum system 12 with 924 combinations that will cost P18,480.

“The more combinations the more chance of hitting the jackpot,” the official said.