On July 5, 2025, the 1179th Donghaeng Lottery Lotto drawing revealed a set of numbers that have since sparked significant attention across South Korea. The winning numbers were 3, 16, 18, 24, 40, and 44, with the bonus number being 21. A total of 13 lucky first-prize winners matched all six numbers, each receiving a staggering prize of 2,162,828,407 KRW (approximately 2.16 billion KRW).
Among these 13 winners, six had selected their numbers manually, while the rest were a mix of automatic and semi-automatic selections. Notably, two of the manually selected winning tickets were sold at the same lottery store located in Seo-gu, Incheon. This rare occurrence has drawn considerable public interest, as it raises the possibility that a single individual might have purchased both tickets, potentially claiming a combined prize of about 4.3 billion KRW.
Manual selection, or choosing one’s own numbers rather than relying on a computer-generated ticket, has long been a favored strategy among lottery enthusiasts. It is quite common for manual buyers to purchase multiple tickets with the same set of numbers, hoping to increase their chances of winning. This practice seems to have paid off spectacularly in Seo-gu, where two first-prize winning tickets emerged from one store.
Beyond the first-prize winners, the lottery also saw 63 second-prize winners who matched five numbers plus the bonus number. Each of these winners received approximately 74,380,000 KRW. Third-prize winners, who matched five numbers without the bonus, numbered 2,989 and collected about 1,560,000 KRW each. The fourth prize, awarded to 148,832 winners who matched four numbers, paid out 50,000 KRW apiece. Lastly, over 2.5 million fifth-prize winners, matching three numbers, each received a fixed prize of 5,000 KRW.
Prize money claims can be made within one year from the day after the draw. If the final day to claim falls on a holiday, the deadline extends to the next business day, ensuring winners ample time to collect their winnings.
The Seo-gu occurrence is not an isolated case. Recent months have seen multiple instances where several manual first-prize winning tickets were sold from the same lottery store, often sparking speculation that a single buyer might be behind multiple wins. For example, on June 14 last year, four first-prize winners emerged from a single lottery store in Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do. If these tickets belonged to one individual, the total prize money would have exceeded 8.2 billion KRW. Similarly, on July 1, three manual first-prize winning tickets were sold at one store in Ulsan, potentially amounting to over 5.7 billion KRW if purchased by the same person. In April, five manual first-prize winners came from a single store in Yongsan, with combined winnings possibly exceeding 10 billion KRW.
These repeated patterns highlight a fascinating trend among lottery players who believe in the power of consistent number choices and multiple ticket purchases. Lottery aficionados often swear by this strategy, hoping that doubling or tripling down on their favorite numbers will eventually pay off.
The Donghaeng Lottery, which administers the Lotto in South Korea, has seen increasing sales over recent years. According to government data submitted to the National Assembly’s audit, lottery sales in the first half of 2024 reached 3.6 trillion KRW, a 7% increase from the previous year’s 3.38 trillion KRW. If this trend continues, annual sales could surpass 7 trillion KRW, underscoring the lottery’s popularity and cultural significance.
Images from the lottery draw day show hopeful participants filling out their tickets with meticulous care, a ritual that captures the blend of chance and hope that defines the lottery experience. The Seo-gu store’s double manual win has only intensified this excitement, with many wondering if the same individual indeed holds both tickets or if fate simply smiled twice on that location.
While the exact identity of the winners remains private, the impact of such wins is tangible. The substantial payouts can transform lives, fueling dreams and aspirations. However, lottery experts often caution players to enjoy the game responsibly, emphasizing that luck is unpredictable and that no strategy guarantees a win.
In the end, the 1179th Lotto draw not only provided life-changing fortunes for 13 individuals but also added a captivating chapter to South Korea’s lottery lore. The possibility of a single buyer claiming over 4 billion KRW from two tickets purchased at the same store in Seo-gu is a story that will be recounted for some time, inspiring both hope and curiosity among lottery players nationwide.
