According to the Romanian National Lottery (Loteria Română), a player in Oradea won the largest prize in the history of the Loto 6/49 game on Thursday, August 13, taking home a tax-adjusted payout exceeding 31,70 de milioane de lei from a ticket costing just 8.50 lei.
Record Loto 6/49 Jackpot Claimed in Oradea
The winning ticket was played at agency 5005 in Oradea, as announced by Loteria Română. The single simple-variant entry cost 8.50 lei and matched all six winning numbers: 45, 12, 13, 44, 36, and 37. According to observatornews.ro, the numbers form an unusual consecutive pattern when arranged in ascending order: 12-13, 36-37, and 44-45. Statistical analysis shows that such a structure appears in roughly one out of every 921 possible combinations, representing about 0,109% of all 13.983.816 possible six-number draws.
The total taxable value of the grand prize reached 52.839.623,04 lei, which equates to 10.077.166,58 euros, according to antena3.ro data. This stands as the second Category I jackpot won in the game during 2026. The previous jackpot fell on February 12, 2026, offering 22.948.891,68 lei, meaning the August prize is more than double the size of the year’s earlier payout.
Tax Implications and Payout Breakdown
A substantial portion of the record-breaking prize goes directly to the state through progressive gambling taxation governed by Law 141/2025 under the Romanian Fiscal Code, as detailed by antena3.ro. Winnings exceeding 66.750 lei are taxed at a base rate of 11.750 lei plus 40% of the amount surpassing 66.750 lei. Applying this formula to the 52.839.623,04 lei gross prize leaves the winner with a net total of 31.718.723,824 lei. At the National Bank of Romania (BNR) exchange rate of 5,2435 lei per euro recorded on Thursday, the net amount translates to approximately 6.049.151,10 euros.
Pro Tip: Winners of official Loto 6/49 draws in Romania have a strict window of 90 days from the date of the draw to officially present their ticket and claim their prizes at lottery headquarters, as outlined by Loteria Română regulations.
Additional Winners from the August 13 Draw
Beyond the historic Category I jackpot, Thursday’s draws yielded multiple other significant payouts across different tiers. Loteria Română reported six Category II winners in the 6/49 game, each collecting 67.710,30 lei. These winning slips were purchased at agencies in Arad and Brașov, alongside digital entries placed via bilete.loto.ro and joaca.loto.ro. Furthermore, the Noroc side game produced a Category II winner who secured 231.891,36 lei with a ticket bought in Râmnicu Sărat, while a Category III Noroc prize worth 51.848,64 lei went to a player in Bradu, Argeș county.
Did You Know?
Every specific six-number combination in Loto 6/49 carries the exact same mathematical probability of being drawn, regardless of whether the digits appear consecutive or scattered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the record Loto 6/49 winner take home after taxes?
According to calculations based on the Romanian Fiscal Code provided by antena3.ro, the winner takes home a net sum of 31.718.723,824 lei (roughly 6,05 million euros) after the deduction of progressive taxes from the initial 52,84 million lei gross prize.
Where was the winning ticket purchased?
Loteria Română confirmed that the record-breaking ticket was played at agency 5005 in Oradea and utilized a single simple variant costing 8.50 lei.
What was the deadline for claiming the prize?
Per Loteria Română regulations, the holder of the winning ticket has 90 days starting from the date of the August 13, 2026 draw to claim the funds.
How many Category I jackpots have been awarded in 2026?
The August 13 win marks the second Category I jackpot awarded in the Loto 6/49 game during 2026, following a previous win on February 12, 2026.
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