On the first day of 2025, luck struck for two residents of the Volgograd region, who won one million rubles each in the New Year’s draw of the popular lottery, Русское лото (Russian Lotto). The lottery organizers have decided to keep the winners’ identities and locations under wraps, maintaining an air of mystery around their remarkable wins.
This New Year’s lottery draw has become somewhat of a tradition, attracting participants from all over Russia, including the Volgograd region. The draw this year saw over 35 million tickets sold, with each ticket priced at 150 rubles. Surprisingly, every third ticket emerged as winning, leading to a staggering total of 11.9 million winning tickets overall.
Reportedly, the total winnings among residents of Volgograd exceeded 38 million rubles. While the two grand prizes of one million rubles each certainly stand out, there were also more than 100,000 other wins, albeit most were for modest amounts, likely just sufficient to cover the cost of the tickets. The excitement of lottery draws now draws players not just for the thrill but also for the chance of surprising victories.
A fellow from the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug also found himself on the lucky side of fortune, claiming one million rubles from the same New Year’s draw. According to Столото, the press service for the lottery, the lucky ticket holder has yet to come forward to claim the prize. They informed media outlets, "One lucky winner became the owner of 1 million rubles. The winner has not yet claimed their prize.” This addition of another millionaire only adds to the narrative of how the New Year can usher good fortune to unassuming individuals.
Looking more closely at the mathematics behind lotteries, Professor Ivan Oseledets from Skolkovo Institute laid bare the harsh reality of winning. He pointed out, “The chance of hitting it big is only 0.2%. So, the probability of going home with less cash than one put in is about 98%.” Oseledets advocates for spending disposable income on gifts for loved ones instead of betting on uncertain lottery winnings. Practicality might trump luck amid high expectations for winning.
The financial stakes this year were higher than ever, with the New Year’s lottery generating record-breaking prizes totaling 3,652,173,987 rubles. This included one monumental prize of 1 billion rubles before tax deductions, alongside 90 million ruble prizes and several smaller tier rewards meant to capture the imagination of millions. For the fortunate ticket holder who won the billion rubles, they will take home approximately 781,598,156 rubles after taxes. The lottery company will serve as the tax agent, paying out the applicable 22% tax automatically.
The chaotic thrill of lotteries is undeniably popular, and the excitement of potential financial windfalls keeps players engaging year after year. The Russian lottery scene is buoyed by these annual draws, known not just for their monetary stakes but also for the communal hope they inspire among citizens dreaming of life-changing sums. Each New Year, new stories of unexpected miracles emerge, as more winners come forward to share their good fortune.
Yet even with multiple win stories, it remains a poignant reminder of the discrepancy between the overwhelming number of tickets sold versus the minuscule chance of landing large prizes. For many, just the act of participating can bring joy, enhanced by the festive spirit of the New Year.
This lottery season, the bright possibility of winning brings together communities across Russia, infusing the New Year celebrations with additional hope and excitement—an enduring legacy of one of the nation’s favorite pastimes.