On July 5, 2025, the results of the 1179th Lotto drawing were announced by Donghaeng Lottery, captivating lottery players across South Korea with a dazzling jackpot and multiple winners.
The winning numbers for the first prize were revealed as 3, 16, 18, 24, 40, and 44, with the bonus number being 21. A total of 13 lucky individuals matched all six numbers, each receiving an impressive prize of approximately 2.16 billion KRW (about 21.62 billion KRW in total). This substantial payout underscores the allure of the Lotto 6/45 game, which continues to draw millions of hopeful participants nationwide.
In addition to the 13 first-prize winners, 63 players matched five numbers plus the bonus number, earning themselves second-place prizes of roughly 74.38 million KRW each. Meanwhile, 2,989 third-prize winners, who matched five numbers, took home about 1.56 million KRW apiece. The fourth and fifth prizes, which are fixed amounts, were awarded to 148,832 and 2,516,368 players respectively, with the fourth prize offering 50,000 KRW and the fifth prize 5,000 KRW.
The 1st prize winners hailed from various regions across South Korea, reflecting the widespread excitement the lottery generates. Seoul accounted for three winning locations, specifically in Seocho-gu's Saimdang-ro, Yongsan-gu's Wonhyo-ro, and Jung-gu's Majang-ro. Busan contributed one winner from Dong-gu's Jinjang-ro, while Incheon had two winners from Seo-gu's Cheongna Emerald Road. The Gyeonggi province saw two winners in Gimpo and Namyangju, respectively. Other winning spots included Cheonan in Chungnam, Jeonju in Jeonbuk, Suncheon in Jeonnam, Gumi in Gyeongbuk, and Hamyang in Gyeongnam.
Ticket types among the first-prize winners were evenly split, with six winners having chosen their numbers automatically, six manually, and one semi-automatically, demonstrating that luck can strike regardless of how numbers are selected.
As for the lottery's operation, the Lotto 6/45 draws take place every Saturday at 8:35 PM and are broadcast live on MBC’s program Saengbangsong Haengbokdeurim Lotto 6/45. On this particular occasion, the show was hosted by Seo Kyung-seok and Lee Young-eun, with former national baseball player Jung Geun-woo appearing as the special “Golden Hand,” a role that involves conducting the drawing and adding a touch of celebrity to the proceedings.
The program not only reveals the winning numbers but also highlights the positive impact of lottery funds, which support various public welfare and community projects throughout South Korea. The show’s official YouTube channel, Alabolgwonri, offers live streams of rehearsals and broadcasts, giving viewers an inside look at the drawing process and post-drawing reflections by the “Golden Hand.”
Participants can purchase Lotto tickets at numerous authorized outlets nationwide, including convenience stores, lottery rooms, and online via the Donghaeng Lottery website, with a purchase limit of 5,000 KRW per online transaction and a maximum of 100,000 KRW per person per drawing. However, sales halt from 8 PM on drawing day until 6 AM the following morning. Notably, minors are prohibited from buying tickets or claiming prizes.
Regarding prize distribution, the total prize fund constitutes 50% of total ticket sales. Of this, the first prize receives 75% of the prize pool remaining after deducting fixed payouts for the fourth and fifth prizes. The second and third prizes each receive 12.5%. This structure ensures substantial rewards for top winners while maintaining a broad base of smaller prizes.
The prize claim period spans one year from the payment start date, with winnings between 50,000 KRW and 100 million KRW claimable at Nonghyup Bank branches nationwide. Smaller prizes can be collected directly from lottery sales outlets. If no first-prize winner emerges in a drawing, the jackpot rolls over to the next round, but consecutive rollovers are limited to two.
Historically, the South Korean lottery system, known as “Nanum Lotto,” began in December 2002 without a cap on the highest prize amount. Since December 2018, the operations have been managed by Donghaeng Lottery, which oversees various lottery types including Lotto, Pension Lotto, printed, and electronic lotteries.
The Lotto 6/45 format itself traces its origins back to June 1971 in New Jersey, USA, and gained international popularity throughout the 1980s and beyond, spreading to Canada, Australia, Europe, and Asia. The game requires players to select six numbers from a pool of 45, with prizes awarded for matching three or more numbers.
The 1179th drawing’s excitement was further fueled by the detailed announcement of winning sales outlets, often referred to as “Lotto Myeongdang,” or famous lottery stores. Among the 13 first-prize winning outlets were Juhwangi Bokgwonbang in Seoul’s Seocho-gu, Garosu Sales Outlet in Yongsan-gu, Seungbo Super in Jung-gu, Beomil Bookstore in Busan, and Hayoung in Incheon’s Cheongna Emerald Road, which notably produced two winners. Other outlets included Lotto Lotto in Gimpo, Gyeongchun Mart in Namyangju, E-Mart24 Yongdu Rest Area in Cheonan, Heunggeon Super in Jeonju, Lotto Bokgwon in Suncheon, Bokgwon Myeongdang in Gumi, and Mitumsa Bokgwonbang in Hamyang.
The second-prize winning outlets spanned 63 locations across the country, highlighting the widespread reach and popularity of the lottery.
As the 1179th Lotto results settle in, the anticipation builds for the next drawing. Whether selecting numbers manually, automatically, or semi-automatically, hopeful participants continue to dream of hitting the jackpot and transforming their lives overnight.
With the robust infrastructure of Donghaeng Lottery and the engaging broadcast on MBC, the Lotto 6/45 remains a beloved tradition, combining chance, community, and charity in a uniquely Korean way.
