Euromillions !

» The EuroMillions game was launched in the UK in 2004

The Euro-Millions game was launched in the UK in 2004 in conjunction with the UK National Lottery to great success. Nine European countries are involved with game play; the UK, France, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal and Switzerland. The game has been successful and has drawn a lot of attention because of its occasionally huge jackpot, at times exceeding £100 Million pounds due to continuous roll over weeks (where no one wins the Jackpot so it accumulates over time).

The price of play is £1.50 in the UK or equivalent in Europe and players can buy a ticket at the kiosk or they can buy online. If you buy a ticket in another country (like say you went on holiday to France and won a prize) you would need to go back to that country to collect it. Fine if you have won the jackpot, not so handy if you have won a small prize so if you travel a lot, buy online.

Players must choose 5 numbers from 1-50 and then two numbers which are known as the lucky stars, from 1-9. They are clearly marked in a different section of the slip or if playing online, on the grid. In order to win, you must match at least two main numbers and one star, or both of the lucky star numbers and one main number.

Anyone over 16 can play in the UK although in different countries the age of consent is 18. You can buy for up to 4 weeks in advance and you can also use the Lucky Dip option. Draws are made every Friday evening in France and results can be checked online no matter where you are in the world.

» Prizes

Prizes can vary week to week and depend on how much money is in the prize fund and how many winners there are. If you match 2 main numbers and 1 lucky star that prize can be anything from £5 to £7. This goes up in small increments if you match 3 main numbers, or 3 main numbers and a luck star, 4 main numbers and a lucky star etc. There are 12 possible combinations of winning prizes, usually in a structure that is matching the main numbers, then matching the main numbers and 1 lucky star, then matching main numbers and 2 lucky stars.

The notable prize jump comes when you match 5 main numbers, where the average prize is then £53,392. 5 Main numbers and 1 lucky star will pay out £282,218 and 5 main numbers and 2 lucky stars is the jackpot and will pay the jackpot which can be anything at all, from £11 Million to £100 Million.

The jackpot can now no longer roll over beyond £100 Million. If no one gets the winning numbers, the prize is shared out between the people who match 5 numbers and 1 lucky star.

It is also worth remembering that the prize money is tax free (except in Switzerland) meaning that you would be able to keep the huge jackpot should you win it.

Click Here to Play the Uk or Euromillions Lottery