Euro Millions
What is EuroMillions?
The EuroMillions lottery is a transnational lottery with massive jackpots that can make you immensely wealthy. This popular European game gives enthusiastic lottery players all around the world the opportunity to hit it big and live the dream lifestyle they have always hoped for. The lottery was created by France’s Française des Jeux, Spain’s Loterías y Apuestas del Estado and the UK’s Camelot.
How did it originate?
The EuroMillions lotto came about on the 7th of February, 2004. The first draw that ever took place happened on the 13th of February, 2004 in Paris. At first only the UK participated in this game. Later, France and Spain joined, then later Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Switzerland joined on the 8th of October 2004 draw. Today, it is one of the most popular lottery games played throughout Europe.
How big is it today?
How big? Big. An amazing thing about this jackpot is that the EuroMillions jackpot is tax-free with the exception of Switzerland, Spain and Portugal since 2013. The jackpots are paid out as lump sums to the winner. The EuroMillions jackpot can rise to €190 million. Once it reaches this amount, it will be capped. If the jackpot is still not won, any extra money generated for the prize pool over the amount of €190 million will then roll down to boost the prize money for the highest tier where the big winners end up. This process can happen four times before the €190 million needs to be won.
If this process happens and then the jackpot is still not won, the entire accumulated jackpot amount that is capped plus the additional money will roll down to the next highest tier.
From September 24th 2016. The amount of lucky stars will again change from a pool of 11 to a pool of 12 numbers. Decreasing the jackpot winning odds from 1:117million to 1:140million. More rollovers are expected to happen plus a starting jackpot of £14million.
Who can play EuroMillions?
Anyone can play the EuroMillions lottery with thanks to online lottery ticket services. That means that even if you live outside the EU and the UK, you can still enter this amazing game and stand the chance to win incredible jackpot amounts.
When can I play EuroMillions?
Draws for the EuroMillions lottery take place every Tuesday and Friday evening at 20:45 CET in Paris. In terms of entering the draw, players can purchase tickets at any time, day or night for the impending draws. Players must of course bear in mind that their tickets must be in before the cut-off time.
EuroMillions Prize Structure
In order to take home the jackpot, a player needs to match 5 main numbers and 2 Lucky Stars.
Match 5 main numbers and 2 Lucky Stars – Jackpot
Match 5 main numbers and 1 Lucky Star – £227,848.80
Match 5 main numbers – £23,586.00
Match 4 main numbers and both Lucky Stars – £2,307.30
Match 4 main numbers and 1 Lucky Star – £123
Match 3 main numbers and both Lucky Stars – £78
Match 4 main numbers – £43.30
Match 2 main numbers and both Lucky Stars – £14.20
Match 3 main numbers and one Lucky Star – £10.70
Match 3 main numbers – £9.00
Match 1 main number and both Lucky Stars – £7.60
Match 2 main numbers and 1 Lucky Star – £6.00
Match 2 main numbers – £3.30
The Biggest Wins
The biggest EuroMillions jackpot wins are as follows:
€190 million – Portugal – Friday the 24th of October 2014
£148,656,000 – UK – Friday the 10th of August 2012
£161,653,000 – UK – Tuesday the 12th of July 2011
€169,837,010 – France – Tuesday the 13th of November 2012
€163,553,041 – Portugal – Friday the 20th of November 2015
€162,256,622 – France – Tuesday the 13th of September 2011
€137,313,501 – Spain – Friday the 13th of June 2014
€132,486,744 – France – Friday the 29th of March 2013
£113,019,926 – UK – Friday the 8th of October 2010
£107,932,603 – UK – Friday the 14th of March 2014
£93,388,944 – UK – Friday the 12th of June 2015
€126,231,764 – Spain – Friday the 8th of May 2009
€121,019,633 – Spain – Friday the 13th of May 2011
£101,203,601 – UK – Friday the 7th of October 2011
€115,436,126 – Ireland – Friday the 29th of July 2005
Distribution of Revenue
The prize distribution fun of the EuroMillions lottery is divided into the following:
Match 5 and 2 – 32% of prize pool
Match 5 and 1 – 4.8%
Match 5 and 0 – 1.6%
Match 4 and 2 – 0.8%
Match 4 and 1 – 0.7%
Match 4 and 0 – 0.7%
Match 3 and 2 – 0.5%
Match 3 and 1 – 2.2%
Match 2 and 2 – 2.3%
Match 3 and 0 – 3.7%
Match 1 and 2 – 6.5%
Match 2 and 1 – 17.6%
Match 2 and 0 – 18%
8.6% makes up the booster fund.
12% of the profit made goes towards the state. 10% goes towards running costs and profits for the lottery organisers and ticket sellers.
How to play EuroMillions
To play the EuroMillions lotto, you must choose five numbers from 1 to 50 and two Lucky Star numbers (bonus numbers) from 1 to 12. You can also use the quick pick option if you want the computer to generate a completely random set of numbers for you.
Keep an eye out for EuroMillions scams
It’s an unfortunate thing that fraudsters are always devising new ways in how to con victims into believing they have won a fictitious prize. The scams come in the form of emails, letters, phone calls, and social media inbox messages.
The methods of contact always vary, but their aim is always the same – to encourage you to pay a “processing fee” or “taxes” to receive your winnings. You may also be asked for your personal information so that they can hack your account.
Always be on guard and have your wits about you. Remember the following:
- It’s not possible to win a EuroMillions prize without having entered a draw or sweepstake.
- The lottery never makes winners based on randomly selected phone numbers or email addresses.
- If you have legitimately won, the EuroMillions lottery will call you to let you know.
- If you have won, you will never ever be asked to pay any kind of fee to get your winnings.
- If you suspect any suspicious activity online, then report it immediately to the police.
Stay safe!