Japan - Takarakuji Mini Loto

Takarakuji Mini Loto

Mini Loto is similar to Loto 6 and Loto 7 and could easily be called Loto 5, but is called Mini Loto instead.

A Mini Loto ticket costs JPY 200.

Players select FIVE numbers from 1 to 31.

The TOP PRIZE is JPY 10,000,000.

Unlike Loto 6 and Loto 7, there is no carry over for Mini Loto if the jackpot fails to be won.

Draws take place every Tuesday.

How to Play Mini Loto?

To play Mini Loto in Japan, select five numbers from box A on your ticket. There are 31 possible numbers. One bonus number will be automatically selected for you.

Players are allowed to make more than one bet at a time.

See the table below as an example of someone who makes three bets: Box A, Box B and Box C.

Mini Loto Table

Box A

In Box A, numbers 1, 3, 14, 25 & 26 are chosen.

Players will win 10 million JPY if their numbers appear in the Tuesday draw.

There is no carry over if no one wins! But don’t worry, the low winning odds of 1 in 169,911 mean that someone nearly always gets the jackpot!

Box B

In Box B, numbers 10, 14, 16, 27 & 30 are chosen.

Box C

In Box C, numbers 4, 7, 8, 14 & 29 are selected.

During the Tuesday draw, five main numbers will be drawn plus one automatically selected bonus number.

Multiple tickets and future draws

You can purchase multiple tickets for multiple future draws if you wish.

If you want to buy two or more tickets with the same amount of bets and numbers:

• Use the column second farthest to the right, as shown on your ticket.
• Select between 2 and 10 for the number of tickets you wish to purchase.

If you want to choose the same sets of numbers for future draws.

Fantastic! You can do this too.

• Use the column to the very farthest right on your ticket.
• This time, choose between 2 and 5 for the number of future draws.
  Only five future draws are available instead of the regular 10.

Odds and Prizes

The odds of winning Mini Loto prize category 1 are 1 in 169,911.

The odds of winning Mini Loto prize category 2 are 1 in 33,982.

Mini Loto jackpot winnings pay considerably less in comparison to Loto 7 and Loto 6, but it is much easier to win. Remember, there are no carry overs.

*Note that the bonus number is only used to determine prize category 2.

Payouts and Taxes

Lottery winnings in Japan are paid out as lump sums only, with players having up to 12 months to claim their winnings from authorized lottery retailers or participating banks.

Players who buy tickets at an ATM in Japan will have their winnings directly paid into a respective bank account.

Japan DOES NOT TAX lottery prizes!

Additional taxes for gifting 1.1 million JPY or more in winnings to friends or relatives do apply for the 1st prize!

Players from abroad should check local tax laws to find out if they need to pay tax at home.

Who Can Play Mini Loto?

Anyone can play Mini Loto in Japan,but only genuine residents of Japan can claim or collect lottery prizes!

To qualify as a legitimate resident you must reside in that country for an uninterrupted period of one full tax year (January 1 through December 31).

Not Japanese then? You can play Mini Loto just for fun!

Where Can I Play Mini Loto?

Mini Loto tickets are usually bought at authorized Takarakuji booths - an authorized retailer across all of Japan - as well as from the official website and even at selected ATMs.

Participants must be at least 20 years of age.

Fun fact: Chapter 23 of the Criminal Code of Japan states that gambling is a banned activity! But special laws allow football pools, public sports and - you got it - LOTTERIES.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can multiple people win the 1st prize?

Yes, of course, and this does happen occasionally.

The JPY 10 million jackpot will be split between all lucky winners.

How many times can the jackpot carry over?

The Mini Loto jackpot does not carry over due to the relatively easy winning odds in comparison to Loto 6 and Loto 7. Mini Loto is less expensive and much easier to win, but payouts are considerably lower.

Can I bet more than once?

Yes, you definitely can.

If you wish to make a single bet, choose numbers from Box A only. For two bets, choose Box A and Box B, etc. See the table above.

Is the winning amount always the same?

Actually, NO it isn’t!

The top prize of JPY 10 million is classified as a theoretical amount because it depends on the amount of sales and the number of winning tickets sold.