Turkey’s popular National New Year’s lottery(Milli Piyango in Turkish) drawing jackpot is at 80 million TL. This year, Milli Piyango will pay out 436 million TL in winnings. Many people buy tickets in hopes of winning. In fact, it has become somewhat of a Turkish tradition. Winning numbers are announced live on TV on January 31st.
Milli Piyango makes it easy to buy a pre-printed ticket. First, there are thousands of places to purchase a ticket. They are available for purchase at authorized retailers and booths all around the country. Also, some authorized individual sellers are walking around. They are dressed in special uniforms with ID’s making it even easier to buy a ticket. Lastly, a person can buy a ticket with their credit card.
How does the New Year’s Lottery work?
- Each ticket has a line of 7 numbers from 0-9 (see picture above)
- Numbers are random
- There are 6 drawings for prizes ranging from the jackpot to 5000 TL. For example, the jackpot is one drawing with different numbers picked. The second drawing is for 8 million TL and again numbers are random.
- Prizes of 1000 TL and less require less numbers to win. See site www.mpi.gov.tr/node/1
- Three different types of tickets are available: quarter, half, and full.
- The cost of a 1/4 ticket is 20 TL, 1/2 is 40 TL, and a Full ticket is 80 TL.
- Winning proceeds are based on the ticket bought. For example, if you buy a half ticket, you will win only half of the winnings.
Many people of all income brackets tend to buy New Year’s tickets. Many buy just for fun and some even give it as a New Year’s gift.
However, this year specifically, many middle and lower income households are struggling with debt and reduced purchasing power. In addition, with high unemployment many are becoming more desperate. Therefore, Turkey’s popular National New Year’s lottery drawing gives them some hope.
Despite the popularity, some people are boycotting Milli Piyango’s popular drawing. They complain that a lack of transparency is steering them away. In previous years, the higher cash prize winner’s information was vaguely publicized. In fact, the only real information the public gets is the city where the ticket was sold. Thus, many people just don’t trust where the winnings are going. This year is no exception with its new owners.
Why don’t people trust Turkey’s National Lottery drawing?
- Demirören Holding owns 51% of the shares of Milli Piyango. They have a very close relationship with the President of Turkey.
- Mainstream media suppressed (Reporters Without Boarders)
- Corruption Perception Index is high (Transparency International)
- Poor audit system in place
Despite people’s concerns about the Lottery’s transparency, many are still taking their chances and dreaming.
All in all, Turkey’s National Lottery drawing is popular during New Years. Many will turn on the TV and watch the results live. In addition, people will hope their numbers are the right ones.
