The new year brings excitement for millions of lottery players across Russia as the popular lottery, Russian Lotto, gears up for its highly anticipated annual event, the New Year's Billion lottery. Scheduled for January 1, 2025, at 15:30 Moscow time, this year's draw, officially known as draw number 1604, promises to be among the largest lottery events of the year, as millions of eager participants hope to snag the coveted grand prize of 1 billion rubles.
According to E. Galitskaya from FTimes.ru, the prize pool for this year's New Year's Billion exceeds 3 billion rubles. During the event, participants not only stand the chance of winning the staggering 1 billion rubles during the second round but also compete for over 100 other prizes of 1 million rubles each. Smaller prizes start at just 150 rubles, ensuring even minimal winners add some festive cheer to their new year celebration.
Those wishing to partake can purchase tickets easily via the official Stoloto website, through mobile applications, or at authorized retail outlets. The cost of participation is set at just 150 rubles per ticket, inviting participation from all walks of life. For players seeking special deals, festive sets are also available which include ticket bundles or unique offers like the "Golden Box" containing additional lucky draw prizes worth up to 1 million rubles.
The draw will be broadcast live on the NTV channel, allowing viewers to partake in the thrill alongside well-known celebrities who will assist during the draw. A dedicated draw commission will oversee the proceedings to assure compliance with all regulations, ensuring transparency through measures such as verifying the use of uniform lotto balls numbered from 1 to 90.
The format of the game adheres to the standard rules of Russian Lotto but with one key difference: the main prize of 1 billion rubles is guaranteed to be drawn during the second round. The first round requires players to match five numbers horizontally across their ticket to win, whereas the immense sum of the grand prize can only be claimed by those who match all 15 numbers across either the top or bottom sections of their ticket first. Should no one claim the grand prize until the 15th call, the draw continues until there is a winner.
Notably, 2025 will usher in significant tax changes for lottery winners, with new progressive income tax rates taking effect. Specifically, winners of up to 2.4 million rubles will face a 13% tax rate, but those winning larger amounts will incur higher tax rates. For example, if someone were to win the full million rubles, they would need to allocate over 218 million rubles for taxes, bringing their net winnings down to 781.6 million rubles.
According to reports from various sources, there is ample opportunity for prospective winners to check their tickets for results post-event. For those who miss the live draw, there are several user-friendly methods to verify ticket status, including accessing the official Stoloto site, utilizing mobile apps, or even via dedicated phone lines, ensuring all participants can easily determine whether they are lucky winners.
Each ticket brings hope as nearly one-third of tickets sold last year resulted in wins, representing significant odds favoring players. Whether via physical tickets or digital formats, participants can expect to be informed of their results through SMS notifications, online updates, or during the broadcast itself.
The excitement surrounding the New Year's Billion is palpable as Russians prepare to celebrate this monumental occasion. It symbolizes more than just the thrill of winning; it brings together family and friends, sharing dreams and aspirations for the coming year. With the combination of large winnings, celebrity apperances, and the assurance of transparency, there’s much to look forward to this New Year’s Day.
So, set your calendars and tune in to NTV or the Stoloto social media channels on January 1 at 15:30. Whether you are watching live or checking results later, let this lottery draw be the start of what could be your lucky year!