Playing the lottery is a favorite pastime among Turks. All Lotteries are under the monopoly of the State. Casinos once run in 5-star hotels were closed by the government some years ago. Most of them moved to Cyprus. Gambling tours to Cyprus and Bulgaria are now arranged on weekends. Gamblers fly to Cyprus or Bulgaria and meet with “green cloths” and “one-armed-monsters” thereby make great contributions to the countries’ economy!!!

The favorite lottery is Sayısal Loto because its prize is the largest. The Lottery is based on guessing 6 numbers out of 49 and the draw takes place on Saturday evenings. TRT1 broadcasts it live. You can pick up the Loto forms from buffets, National Lottery dealerships and newspaper sellers. Complete the card and deliver it any place you see the Loto sign. You can find the results of the Loto in the Sunday newspapers or from the official website of Milli Piyango (National Lottery). See “Related Links” for details.

Milli Piyango is the National Lottery and draws are on 9th, 19th and 29th of every month. There are three different ticket prices as full (tam), half (yarım) and quarter (çeyrek). The ticket prices increase for the drawings on special days, Bayrams and New Year. The hawkers wear caps on which Milli Piyango is written. Various buffets and newspaper sellers also provide tickets. For the results you can either check with the newspapers published the following day of the drawing or from the lists Milli Piyango vendors provide, or again from the official site of Milli Piyango.

Another lottery is Şans Topu (Luck Ball). It consists of two parts. First of all you need to pick 5 numbers out of 34 and secondly 1 number out of 14. The draw is every Wednesday and broadcasts live from TRT1. For the results you can again visit Milli Piyongo’s site or check the newspapers on the following day. Coupons can be obtained from Milli Piyango, newspaper sellers and buffets.

10 Numara (Number 10) is a lottery consisting of two parts. First of all 22 numbers out of 80 are drawn and secondly the players who pick 10, 8, 8, 7 and 6 numbers out of these 22 numbers win prizes. The draw is every Monday.

Super Loto is the latest lottery which has the same principles as Sayısal Loto. It is based on guessing 6 numbers out of 54. The draw takes place on Thursday evenings. and broadcasts live from TRT1. The results are announced at Milli Piyongo’s site and on the newspapers on the following day. Coupons can be obtained from Milli Piyango, newspaper sellers and buffets.

Kazı-Kazan (Scrap and Win) is a simple scratch-and-win lottery. Each card has 8 boxes. Scratch all 8 boxes in hopes of finding 3 matching boxes. If you uncover three matching boxes you win the amount printed in the matching squares. All Milli Piyango vendors provide it.