On the evening of February 28, 2026, anticipation ran high across South Korea as the 1213th Lotto draw unfolded, revealing a fresh set of winning numbers and, with them, a new group of instant millionaires. The official numbers drawn—5, 11, 25, 27, 36, and 38—plus the bonus number 2, sent ripples of excitement through countless households, lottery kiosks, and convenience stores from Seoul to Jeju.
According to Donghaeng Lottery, the national operator, a remarkable 18 individuals matched all six main numbers, each securing a staggering 1,740,010,000 KRW before taxes. For those keeping track, that’s about 1.74 billion KRW a piece—a life-altering sum by any measure. The announcement, reported by Yonhap News and several major outlets, noted that this windfall was split among more winners than usual, a fact that left many regular players both amazed and, perhaps, a little envious.
So, how did these lucky 18 come by their fortune? It turns out, the vast majority—15 out of 18—relied on the automatic selection feature, letting the machine pick their numbers. The remaining three opted for manual selection, demonstrating that both fate and personal choice can play a role in striking it rich. The winners weren’t clustered in a single region, either. Seoul and Gyeonggi Province each produced four first-prize winners (all automatic), while Busan, Incheon, Daegu, North Gyeongsang, North Jeolla, North Chungcheong, Jeju, and even the official internet lottery site contributed at least one winner each. Daegu boasted two winners, and North Jeolla split its two between automatic and manual selections. This broad geographical spread reflects the widespread popularity of the lottery, with sales points numbering 9,471 nationwide as of early January 2026.
The second prize, awarded to those matching five numbers plus the bonus, was claimed by 110 players, each pocketing 47,450,000 KRW before taxes. Third prize went to 3,724 individuals, each earning 1,400,000 KRW. Fourth and fifth prizes—fixed at 50,000 KRW and 5,000 KRW respectively—were distributed to 180,063 and 2,958,422 hopefuls, showing just how many dreamers walk away with at least something each week.
But before anyone starts planning an immediate shopping spree, there’s the matter of taxes. As TopStarNews explains, winnings over 300 million KRW are subject to a hefty 33% tax. That means each first-prize winner will see about 574.2 million KRW whisked away by the taxman, leaving them with a still-impressive 1,158,580,000 KRW. For second-prize winners, who fall below the 300 million KRW threshold, the tax rate drops to 22%, resulting in a net payout of roughly 37,010,000 KRW. These deductions are significant, but they haven’t dampened the celebratory mood for those lucky enough to beat the odds.
Speaking of odds, the distribution of winners across the country offers a glimpse into the mechanics of chance. Seoul and Gyeonggi, home to the highest concentration of lottery sales points—1,700 and 2,387 respectively—naturally produced more winners. Yet, even smaller regions like Jeju (with just 117 sales points) and the online platform saw their share of first-prize luck. The locations of winning shops, from "Mideum Lottery Shop" in Seoul to "Manmul Store" in Jeju City, have quickly become the subject of local legend and perhaps a little envy from regulars who missed out this time.
For those interested in the history and statistics of the game, Donghaeng Lottery provides a wealth of data. Since the very first draw, cumulative sales have reached a staggering 86.335 trillion KRW, with total prize payouts amounting to 43.167 trillion KRW. Over 10,203 people have claimed first prizes, with the average payout hovering around 2.015 billion KRW. The largest jackpot ever awarded topped 40.7 billion KRW, while the smallest was just over 400 million KRW. As for the numbers themselves, some have appeared more often than others—number 34, for instance, has been drawn 181 times, closely followed by 27 and 12. It’s the kind of trivia that dedicated players pore over in hopes of spotting a pattern, though the lottery remains, at its heart, a game of pure chance.
The total sales for this particular draw reached approximately 131.11 billion KRW, with first-prize payouts accounting for 23.9% of that sum. Second and third prizes each represented about 4% of sales, while fourth and fifth prizes made up 6.9% and 11.3%, respectively. These figures underscore the lottery’s role not just as a source of hope for players, but as a significant economic force in its own right.
Claiming a prize isn’t as simple as strolling into a store with a winning ticket, either. Winners have up to one year from the payout start date to claim their money. If the final day falls on a holiday, the deadline is extended to the next business day. After that, unclaimed winnings are forfeited—a fate that, surprisingly, befalls more tickets than one might expect each year.
For those who want to keep up with past results or scout out lucky retailers, the Donghaeng Lottery website offers a searchable database of winning numbers and sales points. Lottery sales are open throughout the week, but on Saturdays—the day of the draw—sales close promptly at 8:00 PM and don’t resume until Sunday morning at 6:00 AM. The draw itself is a televised event, broadcast live every Saturday at 8:35 PM on MBC TV’s "Live Happy Dream Lotto 6/45," adding a touch of drama and communal excitement to the proceedings.
It’s worth noting that the lottery’s appeal extends far beyond the chance at wealth. For many, it’s a ritual—a small investment in hope, a moment of shared anticipation with friends or family, and, occasionally, a cause for genuine celebration. As the 1213th draw fades into memory and attention shifts to the next round, one thing remains certain: for a lucky few, a handful of numbers can change everything.