EuroMillions

The EuroMillions is a multinational lottery game by nature. However, the advent of international lottery betting sites has made sure that the EuroMillions is reachable far beyond its intended European countries. If you are interested in playing one of the world’s best-paying lottery games, then the EuroMillions could suit you well.

The EuroMillions in India

Thanks to international lottery betting domains, it is possible for players in Indian to get to grips with the EuroMillions. Most major online betting sites which serve up lottery tickets to players are going to offer tickets to this major lotto, and some even provide you with a handful of side-bet options which appear in the lottery.

The EuroMillions is traditionally played amongst the populations of Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. However, Andorra, the Isle of Man and Monaco are also involved. In most of these countries, the lottery has tax-free winnings, the exceptions being Portugal, Spain and Switzerland, with all prizes paid out as one lump sum.

Progression

The very first EuroMillions draw was held in February 2004. Back then, only Britain, France, and Spain were involved in the competition. It proved to be so popular that within six months, the rest of the European nations now involved also decided to participate. Over the years, the cost of tickets has increased, and the gameplay has changed a little. However, the value of the prizes has continued to amongst the best in the business, with only a handful of other international lotteries able to match the multi-million euro prizes up for grabs.

This European lottery’s eligibility rules quite clearly state the nationality of any ticket holder should not come into play. Tourists and those people resident outside of Europe and the countries involved are more than welcome to play, provided they are aged 18 or older and buy their tickets via a licensed online seller like The Lotter. In the UK, that age limit is set to 16. Because of this, Indian players and those of many other nationalities have taken to the game and can enjoy it legally – within the boundaries of India’s gambling laws, of course. With that all said, you are probably wondering how the EuroMillions work. Well, let us dive straight in and look…

How to Play the EuroMillions Lottery

The EuroMillions lottery uses a unique format. There are 50 main balls used in the draw, and 12 Lucky Stars, which act as bonus balls. Players are required to choose 5 main numbers, and 2 Lucky Stars for their ticket. Alternatively, they opt to purchase a Lucky Dip, which is a ticket with randomly assigned numbers. At the same time, they can choose between playing several lines and buy multiple tickets. The choice is yours.

In each draw, a total of five numbers are drawn from the main pot, and two Lucky Stars will also be selected. To win the jackpot prize, you are going to have to match all five numbers and both Lucky Stars. If there are multiple winning tickets, the jackpot prize is shared. However, if there are no winners, the jackpot rolls over to the next draw.

Prizes

To get any sort of win at all in the EuroMillions draw, Indian players are going to have to match at least two main numbers (no Lucky Stars are required). The full breakdown of all the prizes which available is as follows:

• 2 Main Numbers: €4/£3
• 2 Main Numbers and 1 Lucky Star: €6/£5
• 1 Main Number and 2 Lucky Stars: €7/£6
• 3 Main Numbers: €9/£8
• 3 Main Numbers and 1 Lucky Star: €11/£9
• 2 Main Numbers and 2 Lucky Stars: €14/£12
• 4 Main Numbers: €39/£33
• 3 Main Numbers and 2 Lucky Stars: €57/£48
• 4 Main Numbers and 1 Lucky Star: €120/£101
• 4 Main Numbers and 2 Lucky Stars: €1,299/£1,094
• 5 Main Numbers: €20,851/£17,555
• 5 Main Numbers and 1 Lucky Star: €200,738/£169,001
• 5 Main Numbers and 2 Lucky Stars: Jackpot Prize

Each European country has its own side-games. For instance, in Belgium, the Joker Game is played. This can see players match Star Signs with those drawn to potentially win a prize. Other countries may feature multipliers, while the UK has a Millionaire Maker side-game. This UK side-game guarantees at least one millionaire each week. Formerly known as the Millionaire Raffle, one lucky ticket will be chosen at random (via barcode) to win a prize.

Important Information

The EuroMillions is one of two major lotteries played across Europe. The other is the EuroJackpot. That game is typically played between the all the European nations which are not formally a part of the EuroMillions draw. The EuroJackpot typically offers smaller prizes, so the EuroMillions is often more in demand amongst Indian players.

Naturally, there is much like about the EuroMillions, and the major prizes make it appealing. However, before you decide to dive into playing this online lottery game, it is worth noting a few of the facts about it. They include:

Chances of Success

EuroMillions players have a 1 in 22 chance (4.57%) of landing the lowest paying combination, of two main numbers. This drops to a 1 in 139,838,160 chance (0.00000072%) of pocketing the jackpot prize. These admittedly, are not brilliant odds. However, the chances of winning are substantially better than some other global lotteries, such as the US Powerball and Mega Millions lotto games.

Draws

EuroMillions draws take place every Tuesday and Friday evening. Draws typically take place anywhere from 7:45 pm to 8:00 pm GMT in Paris. The results are published online shortly afterwards. Players are permitted to buy tickets to the draws online, so they do not need to venture out to shops and retail outlets.

Jackpots

You are always going to struggle to get your hands on the big jackpot, as like all lottos, it is tricky to win. However, many people have come away with multi-million-euro jackpot prizes in the past, so it is certainly possible. The jackpot is often worth tens of millions. However, if it is not won within a few weeks, this figure can skyrocket past the €100 million mark. On occasion, a Super Jackpot draw will be called. This is decided when the figure is too high to roll over to the following week. In which case, the player or players with the next best ticket will win the jackpot prize if no-else holds a jackpot-paying ticket.

Ticket Prices

Ticket prices have changed over the years. The current price of a EuroMillions ticket is €2.50/£2.50 per line. However, when purchasing these tickets online, your lottery agent may inevitably add a small fee on top to cover their costs. This fee will vary from site to site.

EuroMillions Winners

Some of the biggest lottery winners of all time have been EuroMillions Jackpot recipients EuroMillions Jackpots vary in size and value. The largest jackpot ever won on the Euro Millions is €190m (£170m), and this figure has been won on four separate occasions. Two out of the four winners came from the United Kingdom, with another Spain and a winner from Portugal.

Aside from those wins, other top jackpots won include the €185m/£161m a Brit won in 2011. A €175m/£152m prize won by an Irish player last year (2019) and wins of €169m, €163m, €168m, and €162m won by players in France, Portugal, Belgium and Switzerland in 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2018, respectively. 

The first-ever major jackpot won was the €115.4 million won by Dolores McNamara in 2005. EuroMillions winners have the right to choose anonymity or to go public with their win. There are good examples of players doing both. Of course, your internet ticket site might have their own requirements about whether you can claim anonymity from their site or note. They will likely want to publish your story to promote their online lottery site.

Final Thoughts

The EuroMillions is appealing and understandably so. This online lottery can radically alter peoples’ lives with just a single ticket. We are, of course, talking about prizes often worth tens of millions of euros, if not more. Widespread and available at seemingly all major internet lottery sites offering tickets to Indian players, you should not be short of options if you wish to play EuroMillions online. 

Frequently Asked Questions about EuroMillions

If you have any questions regarding the EuroMillions lottery or about whether it is a good idea to do so, we will try to answer them in this FAQ guide.

Do I have to pay extra to buy a EuroMillions ticket abroad?

Yes. Tickets typically cost £2.50/€2.50 a line in Europe. However, if you are based outside of Europe, or are purchasing your ticket via a lottery agent website, you will likely find a small fee attached to that sum.

How many lottery betting sites offer the EuroMillions lotto?

Most of the major international lottery betting sites will provide you access to the EuroMillions. They may not come with all the side-game options, as these vary from country to country. However, you can almost certainly buy tickets at the best sites like Lottoland.

Do I pay tax if I win on the EuroMillions lotto abroad?

That really does depend on where you reside. The EuroMillions lottery itself is a tax-free lottery. This means that you do not have to pay tax on any of your winnings as far as the lottery is concerned. However, each country has its own rules on taxes from gambling, and that includes lotteries. In India, local lotteries have a 30% tax rate. As the EuroMillions is an offshore lotto, though, you may only have to pay income tax on your winnings, or nothing at all.

Do I have to be an EU citizen or resident in the EU to play the EuroMillions?

No, and this is made quite clear on the EuroMillions’ website. The EuroMillions rules and regulations clearly state that anybody, even non-Europeans and those that do not reside in Europe are permitted to buy tickets and play in the EuroMillions draw. This means that even if you are based in India, you are still entitled to try your hand at the lottery game.

Can I purchase side-bets in this lottery game?

Again, this will really depend on where you are playing. In some lottery agent betting sites, a few side-games will be offered. However, what side-games you can get really depends on where the lottery agent is based, as EuroMillions side-games vary from country to country. Our advice would be not to expect any side-games. If you do see them offered at your online lottery site, make sure you read up on what the terms for them are before you decide to engage in added betting.

Are my winnings paid out in a lump sum, or with annuity payments?

The EuroMillions always pays out its winnings in one big lump sum. It does not pay with annuity payments. Ordinarily, this should mean that your chosen lottery betting site will cough up your jackpot prize in one lump sum, too. However, some sites have strict rules about that, and may only pay you in an annuity. Always read the terms and conditions of any tickets you plan on buying at a site before you do so. This way, you will be able to avoid any nasty surprises should you land a major, life-changing jackpot prize.

Is the EuroMillions lottery licensed and legal?

The EuroMillions is one of the fairest and safety lotteries you can play. It is fully regulated and legal in many major European nations, and like its counterpart (the EuroJackpot lotto) is has the approval of each of the countries it appeals to. International lottery betting sites which are licensed out of reputable European jurisdictions, such as Malta, the United Kingdom and Gibraltar will also be able to offer you tickets legally. Do bear in mind that the EuroMillions does not have a legal gambling age. Each country has its own laws regarding how old you must be, but the consensus is 16 in the UK and 18 everywhere else.