Gosloto is Russia's new lottery; it started in October of 2008 with a 6/45 game. The odds of winning the jackpot in a 6/45 game are 1 in 8,145,060. Albert Begrakyan managed to beat the odds and won 100 million rubles ($2,968,372 USD) in April of 2009.
Albert Begrakyan's win was the biggest ever in Gosloto's short history. He was so afraid of somebody finding out that he won the lottery that he hired bodyguards to travel with him to Moscow to claim his prize. But he got his money and is now safe and sound with the money in the bank.
Russia's lottery is way different than lotteries, say, in North America. Canadian and American lotteries are government run, whereas Russia's new Gosloto is run by a private businessman. His name is Sandor Demjan. This is crazy. As most people probably know, lotteries generate billions in profit. And, it is usually a government monopoly as private businesses are prohibited from creating a lottery. Giving a private businessman the opportunity to create a lottery is like him winning the lottery himself. But instead of winning millions, he wins billions. Having the only lottery franchise in a country like Russia is like starting the most lucrative business ever - with absolutely no risk whatsoever. It really is crazy.
Now, Sandor Demjan does have to give a percentage of all lottery sales from Gosloto to government programs. We couldn't find out the exact percentage, but we still think this situation is crazy.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Russian Lottery Winner Albert Begrakyan - Gosloto - Russia's New Lotto
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Tino Sundin
Posted by: Tino Sundin
Updated at: Sunday, April 19, 2009
