A Sakhalin resident has become the newest billionaire after winning one billion rubles, approximately $12.5 million, from the Russian lottery "Russo Loto" during the New Year's draw on January 1, 2025. This monumental win has ignited celebrations across the region and raised calls for the winner to contribute part of their newfound wealth to support military operations.
The press service of "Stoloto," the official distributor of the lottery, confirmed the exciting news, stating, "Congratulations on the grand victory for the participant from Sakhalin region. On the 30th draw, he became a billionaire!" It was part of the larger event known as the "New Year's Billionaire" lottery, which saw over 90 other participants waking up as millionaires, as the total prize pool reached 3.6 billion rubles, or about $45 million.
Following the announcement, Ildar Rezyapov, leader of the public movement "Veterans of Russia," reached out to the winner with a heartfelt appeal. He urged them to donate part of their winnings to support the special military operation (SMO). "We call on the winner of the lottery 'Russo Loto,' who won one billion rubles, to donate money to the SMO. I am sure even 10%, considering the taxes, would be enough to implement many plans and solve material and housing issues," said Rezyapov, according to NEWS.ru.
Rezyapov’s initiative reflects the current national sentiment and aims to inspire other wealthy individuals to follow suit. He also promised to assist with the logistics of any donations, stating volunteers would help procure necessary equipment for military support operations.
Lottery regulations stipulate the winner must claim their prize within 3.5 years of the draw. The exact identity of the winner has not yet been revealed, but their phone number is registered in the Sakhalin region, igniting speculation and interest from residents and media alike.
When discussing the financial details, it was reported by РИА Новости and other news outlets, after tax deductions, the winner will actually take home 781,598,156 rubles, as "Stoloto" has agreed to cover tax liabilities. This provision means the winner, who purchased their ticket online, can enjoy the full extent of their jackpot without concerns about state taxes.
This win marks the fourth time someone has become a billionaire from the "New Year's Billion" draws, highlighting the lucrative nature of the lottery and its appeal across Russia. The excitement surrounding this draw not only brings wealth to the fortunate winner but also serves as a poignant reminder of the companionship and support within local communities.
The prospect of public contributions to the military operations is both controversial and stirring. The connection between lottery wins and social responsibility continues to provoke discussions among citizens. Some individuals argue the winner should give back to society based on newfound prosperity, whilst others believe such decisions should remain personal and voluntary.
Despite the varying opinions, the winner's upcoming decision over their considerable fortune is highly anticipated. Many residents are hopeful the prize will not only lift the winner's fortunes but also impact the community positively.
With all eyes drawn to this latest lottery winner, the question remains: how will this new billionaire respond to the calls for donations? The reverberations of this extraordinary win extend beyond wealth; they touch the realms of civic duty and personal choice, as the Sakhalin resident embarks on their new life as one of Russia’s latest billionaires.