Lottery fever gripped Malaysia as a record RM121.7 million jackpot drew huge crowds. From long queues to social media stunts and bizarre luck rituals, see the frenzy surrounding the draw.
Malaysia was swept up in lottery fever as a record 121.7 million ringgit (US$27.7 million or P1.5 billion) jackpot drew massive crowds to Sports Toto outlets.
The frenzy surrounding the draw, one of the last before the Lunar New Year, saw long queues, social media stunts, and even bizarre attempts to influence luck. Videos surfaced of punters ranging from office workers to senior citizens lining up for a chance to win, with some social media influencers spending thousands on randomly generated number combinations.
One punter in Sarawak even brought snakes, including an albino python, to a betting shop, hoping for a lucky omen in the upcoming Year of the Snake.
However, the excitement also boiled over into violence. A video circulating online showed a fight erupting inside a crowded betting shop in Klang, with several men exchanging punches while others looked on. Police later confirmed the incident, stating they were alerted to a disturbance at a shop in Taman Klang Utama.
This incident highlighted the intense emotions surrounding the record-breaking jackpot, which ultimately saw three winners from Selangor and Negeri Sembilan each taking home 34.9 million ringgit (US$7.9 million). The record prize surpassed the previous high of 97.75 million ringgit in 2022.
The popularity of Sports Toto, majority-owned by billionaire Vincent Tan’s Berjaya Corp, underscores the prevalence of legal gambling in Malaysia, contrasting with the significant problem of illegal gambling operations that cost the government substantial revenue each year.
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