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Detailed guide on the transnational game EuroMillions
This is a complete guide to the European lottery EuroMillions. Find out detailed information about prizes, Jackpots, ticket price, your chances of winning and schedule of draws. Also, find out who can play EuroMillions, whether you can stay anonymous, how to pay tax and other important information.
What is EuroMillions?
EuroMillions is a pan-European lottery which gives a chance to win a 17-190 million Jackpot in each draw to any player from any country in the world. The word "pan-European" means "common to several European governments". Several European states form EuroMillions prize pool, that’s why the game’s prizes are so good.
EuroMillions is a comparatively young game: it first was held in 2004 in Paris. Ever after, EuroMillions draws have been held in this beautiful city. EuroMillions is regulated by three lottery operators: Française des Jeux (France), Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (Spain), and Camelot Group (the United Kingdom).
If you wish to buy a EuroMillions ticket offline, you can do it in the following countries:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Great Britain
- Belgium
- France
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Luxembourg
- Liechtenstein
- Monaco
- Portugal
- Spain
- Switzerland
EuroMillions Countries
How to play EuroMillions?
EuroMillions has two separate game sets to choose lottery numbers from: the first one consists of common (general) numbers, the second one consists of so-called Lucky Stars. You need to choose any five common numbers from 1 to 50. After choosing the selection of common numbers, you need to choose two different Lucky Stars from 1 to 12. In total, you need to choose seven numbers for each entry (5 common numbers + 2 Lucky Stars). Your ticket can consist of a few entries (lines). Each entry gives you a chance to win any of the game’s good prizes.
If you play the lottery online, you have to fill in a ticket form. Follow the tips when choosing lottery numbers to make it right.
The numbers to choose in EuroMillions
EuroMillions schedule
EuroMillions drawings are held weekly: on Tuesdays and Fridays at 20:45 (CET). Please note: you can’t buy EuroMillions lottery tickets right after or before the draw. Ticket sales close at 19:30 (CET) and don’t open until nearly 9:00 (CET) the next day.
EuroMillions Jackpots and rollovers
The smallest Jackpot you can win in EuroMillions is € 17.000.000. If no player wins a windfall, it rolls bigger until it reaches € 190.000.000. If the prize isn’t scooped five times after it reaches 190 million, the money is shared between winners of the lower level (5+1 winning tier). When choosing numbers to play, check if you have a chance to get a bigger second important prize in the following draw. After that, the Jackpot rolls down to the minimum amount. The Jackpot can’t rise higher 190 million euros.
EuroMillions prize breakdown
EuroMillions has 13 prize divisions and this is an all-time record. Just compare: an average lottery has only 5 or 6 prize divisions. What does it mean? You’ll get a minimum prize even if you match just two EuroMillions numbers. The prize amount rolls up with each subsequent prize tier.
EuroMillions prizes are not fixed. Their amount in each draw depend on the number of lottery tickets sold and the total amount of the prize pool. However, we can forecast the approximate prize amount in each winning tier.
| Prize tier | The prize you can win (approximately) |
|---|---|
| 5 Common Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars | Jackpot |
| 5 Common Numbers + 1 Lucky Star | €300.000 |
| 5 Common Numbers | €30.000 |
| 4 Common Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars | €3.000 |
| 4 Common Numbers + 1 Lucky Star | €160 |
| 3 Common Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars | €100 |
| 4 Common Numbers | €60 |
| 2 Common Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars | €20 |
| 3 Common Numbers + 1 Lucky Star | €15 |
| 3 Common Numbers | €12 |
| 1 Common Number + 2 Lucky Stars | €10 |
| 2 Common Numbers + 1 Lucky Star | €8 |
| 2 Common Numbers | €4 |
The last four prize divisions give an excellent opportunity to win really good prizes.
EuroMillions winning odds
Your chance of winning a prize in EuroMillions has been calculated. In the table below the odds of winning prizes in each prize category are disclosed. As you can see, it’s not easy to win the Jackpot, however your odds to win a smaller prize are much more pleasant. Fortunately, non-Jackpot prizes are also impressive.
| Prize tier | Winning odds |
|---|---|
| 5 Common Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars | 1 in 139.838.160 |
| 5 Common Numbers + 1 Lucky Star | 1 in 6.991.908 |
| 5 Common Numbers | 1 in 3.107.515 |
| 4 Common Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars | 1 in 621.503 |
| 4 Common Numbers + 1 Lucky Star | 1 in 31.075 |
| 3 Common Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars | 1 in 14.125 |
| 4 Common Numbers | 1 in 13.811 |
| 2 Common Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars | 1 in 985 |
| 3 Common Numbers + 1 Lucky Star | 1 in 706 |
| 3 Common Numbers | 1 in 314 |
| 1 Common Number + 2 Lucky Stars | 1 in 188 |
| 2 Common Numbers + 1 Lucky Star | 1 in 49 |
| 2 Common Numbers | 1 in 22 |
In general, EuroMillions chances of winning non-Jackpot prizes are rather high in comparison with other games: every 13th ticket is winning.
EuroMillions Super Draws
Several times a year, EuroMillions holds Super Draws with a guaranteed minimum Jackpot of 100 million euros and above. Such draws are incredibly significant. They are devoted to anniversaries, holidays and other great events. Such drawings aren’t tied to specific dates; their schedule vary from year to year. Super Draws are announced in advance.
Who can take part in EuroMillions?
There are no restriction on nationality or citizenship to EuroMillions players. It means, you can be a resident of any country in the world to buy lottery tickets of the transnational game. However, you need to be 18+ years old to join the draw (16+ years or over if you play under the British jurisdiction).
Can EuroMillions winners stay anonymous?
One of the best things about EuroMillions is as follows: if you win, you can stay anonymous. In the UK, France, Spain or Portugal, the locality name (the town/city/village name) is normally disclosed, but the detailed information isn’t given. In other regions, you can claim total anonymity.
However, there are two more options for lottery winners: they can go public or choose partial anonymity. If you choose to go public, you’ll have some media obligations, also, you’ll have to take part in TV-shows and press conferences, but you’ll get a portion of fame. If you choose partial anonymity, you’ll have to allow the lottery organizers to disclose you age, occupation and general location.
One might think that Euro Millions winners prefer to remain in the shadows, because no one likes annoying attention. However, this is a misconception. Of the 12 biggest EuroMillions winners, six have chosen to stay incognito, while other six wished to get their moment of glory. Young winners almost always choose to go public. If you want our advice, we recommend to stay anonymous.
EuroMillions claim period
If you win a major EuroMillions prize, you need to take care to claim it within a certain period of time. If you don’t meet the deadlines, the prize will be transferred to the Euro Millions Fund. In the table below you can see how long your prize is ready to wait for you in different countries — from the shortest term to the longest one.
| Country | Claim Period |
|---|---|
| France | 60 days |
| Luxembourg | 60 days |
| Ireland | 90 days |
| Portugal | 90 days |
| Spain | 3 months |
| Belgium | 140 days |
| UK | 180 days |
| Switzerland | 182 days |
| Austria | 3 years |
As far as you can see, the best option to buy EuroMillions lottery tickets is to do it in Austria if you aren’t sure that you can fly back quickly to claim the prize.
How to claim EuroMillions Jackpot?
Claim the Euro Millions Jackpot in the country where you bought your winning ticket. For example, if you bought the ticket in Spain, you can’t claim the Jackpot in Austria. You should claim your lotto prize in person. It means, you can’t delegate it to your wife, friend or neighbor. You should do it yourself. You’ll be asked to verify your identity and fill in a claim form. Later on, the security service will check if you are a real ticket owner.
In case of big win, you should contact the Lottery Organizer to discuss the further actions. Here are the phone numbers of lottery organizers in different countries:
| Country | Number to call if you win big |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 0333-234-44-33 or 0333-234-50-50 |
| Austria | 0810/100-200-100 |
| Belgium | 02-238-45-54 or 0494-10-99-67 |
| Ireland | 01-836-4444 |
| Other countries | Visit any of the numerous lottery centers. |
Smaller and average winnings can be claimed in a lottery center or directly to your bank account. If you find yourself a winner, please check the information how to claim the prize with the lottery organizer.
EuroMillions taxation
Today, all EuroMillions prizes are tax-free in all countries except in Switzerland, Spain and Portugal. They are paid as a lump sum.
| Country | Tax amount |
|---|---|
| Switzerland | Prizes more CHF 1.000.000 are taxed at a rate of 35%. |
| Spain | Prizes more € 2.500 are taxed at a rate of 20%. |
| Portugal | Prizes more € 5.000 are taxed at a rate of 20%. |
EuroMillions ticket price breakdown
Here is the price of a EuroMillions ticket consisting of one line in different countries. Please note, if you purchase EuroMillions lottery tickets online, you should add some extra money to the ticket cost. Lottery agents charge fees for their services and impose service charges on the maintenance of offices and employees.
- UK — £ 2.50
- Switzerland — CHF 3.50
- Austria — € 2.20
- Other countries — € 2.50
The most drawn EuroMillions numbers
Today (between 2004 and April 2019), the most drawn common numbers are: 4, 19, 23, 44 and 50. The most drawn Lucky Stars are: 3, 8, 10. Between the same period of time, the least drawn EuroMillions numbers are: 2, 33, 41, 46, 47. The least drawn Lucky Stars are: 10, 11, 12. The selection of the most and the least drawn numbers is updated from time to time.
The best EuroMillions winning strategies and tips
There are some strategies and tips which are able to increase your winning odds and chances of winning the Jackpot. Before buying the ticket, we recommend you to create your own lotto winning strategy or use one of the well-known proven strategies below.
Strategy 1. Hot and cold numbers
To increase your winning odds, make combinations of cold (least drawn) or hot (most drawn) lottery numbers, picking only cold or hot numbers in your ticket. You can pick your lottery numbers, including both cold and hot numbers into your bet.
Strategy 2. Even and odd numbers
When choosing lottery numbers, make complex combinations, picking both even and odd numbers, plus cold and hot numbers.
Strategy 3. The System
One of the best ways to pick lottery numbers in EuroMillions is to use a well-known winning strategy “System”. It allows to pick not just five, but six and more common numbers from the first set of numbers (“the set of common numbers”).
Read more about these and other lottery strategies in the selection of articles:
There are also a few secrets which are able to help winning the lottery.
Secret 1. Join a syndicate.
Join a syndicate… or create your own. If you are not a complete recluse, you probably have relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbors and others. Why not invite them to your millionaire club? Collect cash from all syndicate participants, buy a bunch of EuroMillions tickets, split the winnings. Easy peasy!
Secret 2. Play in the right country.
If you want to try your luck in winning EuroMillions, the best way to do that is to buy the ticket in the right country. The best country for playing EuroMillions is Austria. There are three reasons for that: 1) tax free, 2) three years to collect your prize, 3) the cheapest price of € 2.20 (f.c., € 2.50 in other countries).
Secret 3. Take part in the right drawings.
The best way to benefit from EuroMillions non-Jackpot prizes is playing the right draw. Watch when the Jackpot is capped and is ready to roll down. If the Jackpot isn’t won, winners of lower levels have a chance to share it.
EuroMillions additional options (available in some countries)
- The “Plus” option is available in Ireland. For the additional €1 per line, EuroMillions participants enter the additional weekly draw with the guaranteed prize of € 500.000. The equivalents of the “Plus” in other countries are: "My Million" in France (+ € 0.50 per line), "M1lhão" in Portugal (+ € 0.30 per line), “Austria Joker” in Austria (+ € 1.30 per line), “El Millón” in Spain, “My Bonus” in Belgia, and “Extra Lux” in Luxembourg.
- In the UK, there’s the “Millionaire Raffle” option. You shouldn’t pay extra for it. After each major EuroMillions draw, an additional draw is held. As a result of the Millionaire Raffle, two winners of £ 1.000.000 are defined (4 winners per week).
- The “Only Raffle” is available in Ireland. A nine character code is randomly assigned to each EuroMillions ticket. 10 code owners in each raffle are guaranteed to get € 5.000. The equivalent of the “Only Raffle” in the UK is the “UK Millionaire Maker” option. The only difference is that not ten winners are determined after the draw, but only one. The winner gets one million pounds.
How to check EuroMillions lotto results?
You can check EuroMillions results in the results section. Moreover, you have a chance to watch records of each EuroMillions drawing thanks to the British National Lottery organization on YouTube.
Also, read our article “What to do if you won EuroMillions Jackpot”
Notable EuroMillions wins
Some EuroMillions wins are scandalous. The youngest lottery winner in the world, Jane Park, bought the first lottery ticket at 16 and won a large amount of money. The winnings had a bad effect on the girl: she had psychological problems, suffered from the pressure, wasted money on clothes and was alcohol addicted. Today, Jane doesn’t work and spends time in nightclubs. In one of the interviews, Jane gave an advice to the youth: “Think twice before buying a ticket”.
Read about the appearance transformation of the youngest EuroMillions winner Jane Park in our article (many photos!):
Jane Park is celebrating luxurious life.
Jane Park is demonstrating new breast after the surgery.
The biggest EuroMillions Jackpots
On the contrary, adult lottery winners were able to benefit from their luck. Gillian and Adrian Bayford are the biggest EuroMillions winners who went public. They were able to scoop € 190.000.000.
€ 185.000.000 is one of the largest EuroMillions Jackpot the winners of which decided to go public. It was scooped by Colin and Chris Weir from the UK. The couple was included in the list of the richest people of the United Kingdom. They still keep the record of the biggest win claimed in Britain. The Bayfords won the bigger amount in euros than the Weirs did, however, due to the exchange rate, they got only 148.656.000 pounds, while the Weirs got 161.653.000 pounds.
Two more winners (06.10.2017 in Spain and 24.10.2014 in Portugal) were able to hit the maximum EuroMillions Jackpots, but we know nothing about them as they decided to stay anonymous.
***
We have an advice for those who want to play EuroMillions: the best way to get a ticket is to purchase it online with the help of a lottery agent. It will save you from many problems:
- Small and medium prizes will go straight to your bank account.
- Lottery results will be sent to your email address.
- You can choose your numbers to play EuroMillions at home using a computer or a smartphone. No people and fuss when buying a ticket. Pick your numbers in the company of cake and tea. It will be a big fun!
- When picking your lottery numbers, the smart system will assist you.
- You will be guaranteed to get legal and economic support.
You can purchase a ticket right now in a few minutes. Good luck!
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