Are EuroMillions prizes taxable?
EuroMillions players in Portugal, Switzerland and Spain are liable for taxes if they receive prizes above a certain amount, but the other countries do not regard lottery wins as earnings and so the full prize will be awarded as a lump sum.
Is the jackpot harder to win when the jackpot is higher?
No. The odds of winning Friday’s jackpot are just the same as for any other draw and stand at 1 in 139,838,160.
Is there a better chance of winning if fewer players enter?
No. Just like with the size of the jackpot, the number of players does not affect the chances of winning as the odds are fixed for each draw. However, you do have a better chance of winning some of the supplementary games if fewer players take part, such as the UK Millionaire Maker. This works like a raffle, where the odds depend on how many tickets have been sold.
Can you play from overseas?
EuroMillions tickets can be bought in any of the nine participating countries - Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UK - although prizes must be claimed in the country where the entry was purchased. Fans of the game can also try to win from anywhere in the world by choosing numbers online.
Do winners have to go public?
EuroMillions winners can decide whether to go public and share their story or remain anonymous. The decision is purely down to personal preference and winners receive the same prize whether they wish to stay anonymous as they do if they opt for publicity. There is no penalty for turning down an appearance at a press conference.
Why do the same numbers sometimes come up as main balls and Lucky Stars?
EuroMillions players have to select five main numbers from 1 to 50 and two Lucky Stars between 1 and 12. As different sets of balls are used, it is entirely possible for the same number(s) to appear to both a main ball and Lucky Star.
What’s the biggest jackpot ever won?
The EuroMillions jackpot cap stands at €190 million, and there have been two previous occasions when the top prize has reached this barrier. Adrian and Gillian Bayford of the UK won this amount (worth £148.6 million) in August 2012, before a Portuguese participant replicated the feat in October 2014.
The current jackpot is approaching similar proportions, and a single winner would become the eighth largest in the history of the game. Numbers can be chosen online or by visiting authorised retailers in the participating countries.
