One of Colombia’s most popular lotto games, Colombia Baloto has made billionaires of many lucky players in South America.
With better jackpot odds than many popular lotteries around the world, this game has a lot of features that may appeal to international players looking for something new.
In this guide, we’ll tell you about the history of this game, as well as how it works and how you can buy Colombia Baloto tickets online.
About Colombia Baloto
Launched in January 2001, Colombia Baloto is a lottery that has quickly become a hit in South America and beyond.
Since its creation, it's undergone a few changes. Originally, it was easier to win (odds were 1 in 8,145,060) but its jackpots were smaller and it have as many prize tiers.
In 2017, it was changed to its current format.
Colombia Baloto Draws
Colombia Baloto is a bi-weekly lotto game with draws taking place every Wednesday and Saturday between 11:00 pm CST and 11:15 pm CST.
The draw is run by Gtech and is done in the presence of lottery authorities. Draws are broadcast on TV on the RCN Channel.
A total of six numbers are randomly selected to create the winning number combination.
How to Play Colombia Baloto
Colombia Baloto is a straightforward game with a similar format to many of the most popular games in the world.
To play, individuals must select five numbers from a main ball pool of numbers 1 to 43. They must also choose one additional number called the Super Ball from a pool of numbers 1 to 16.
A player must match all five main numbers and the Super Ball to win the jackpot.
Players can play up to five games on a single ballot and also have the option of selecting the Revancha, or Rematch, bet.
The Rematch bet uses the same number pools as the main bet, and gives players a chance to win a separate jackpot prize for an additional cost.
A standard ticket costs COP $5,700 for one line, and the Rematch bet costs COP $2,100.
In all regions of Colombia except San Andrés, tickets have an additional tax of 19%.
Individuals outside of Colombia who play Baloto online through an independent retailer may have to pay an additional fee.
Colombia Baloto Prizes and Odds
Each Baloto jackpot starts at a minimum of COP $4 billion and rolls over each time there is no winner.
Though the minimum jackpot is smaller at only COP $500 million for the Rematch bet, it also rolls over and can occasionally get higher than the main draw.
However, players must purchase a ticket for the main bet in order to purchase a Rematch ticket.
There is no cap on the jackpot or on the amount of times it can roll over.
There are nine prize tiers that lucky players can win in this lotto game.
The jackpot odds are 1 in 15,401,568, which is quite good compared to other similarly sized lotto games.
For example, Oz Lotto starts with a slightly higher minimum jackpot of AU $2 million but has jackpot odds of 1 in 45,379,620. However, the largest Oz Lotto jackpot in history was over twice as big as the largest Colombia Baloto prize.
The odds of winning each prize tier, and the corresponding estimated winnings, are as follows:
Numbers Matched | Odds of Winning | Estimated Winnings |
5 + Super Ball | 1 in 15,401,568 | Jackpot |
5 | 1 in 1,026,771 | COP $51.2 million |
4 + Super Ball | 1 in 81,060 | COP $2.2 million |
4 | 1 in 5,404 | COP $170,287 |
3 + Super Ball | 1 in 2,190 | COP $41,473 |
3 | 1 in 146 | COP $14,647 |
2 + Super Ball | 1 in 182 | COP $12,177 |
1 + Super Ball | 1 in 41 | COP $6,940 |
0 + Super Ball | 1 in 30 | COP $6,940 |
Claiming Colombia Baloto Prizes
When players claim their Colombia Baloto, they are subject to two separate tax brackets.
Prizes under COP $70,000 receive their prizes tax-free. However, prizes larger than COP $70,000 are subject to a 20% tax rate on the portion of the prize that exceeds that limit.
Players who buy lotto tickets online through a third-party website may also be subject to the tax laws of their country of residence.
Notable Colombia Baloto Winners
The largest Colombia Baloto jackpot was won in 2012. When there was no winner for the COP $110 billion Wednesday night draw, the prize jumped up by COP $7 billion for the Saturday night draw.
The jackpot totalled COP $117 billion, making it the biggest lottery jackpot win in Colombian history.
Colombia Baloto-Should You Play?
Colombia Baloto is a straightforward lotto game that offers players many opportunities to win.
Though the jackpots will never reach the heights of lotteries like US Powerball or EuroMillions, the jackpot does reach some respectable amounts. Especially considering the price of a ticket.
With solid odds of winning and a cheap add-on for an extra draw, there are many reasons to give this popular game a try.
Rodrigo