With ever increasing popularity around the world, Europe’s lotteries are known for their big jackpots, generous payouts and in some cases, great chances of winning!
Whether you prefer the record-breaking jackpots that EuroMillions can offer, the lower payouts in daily games such as Italy’s MillionDay or Spain’s Bonoloto, or just the thrill of the French Lotto and Greek Powerball, you can find everything you need right here to enjoy all the games available.
Hugely popular in the UK and South Africa, the 49’s offers two daily draws that can only be bet on at bookmakers; it is not possible to purchase an actual lottery ticket for this game.
There are lunchtime and teatime draws taking place every day of the year (except Christmas Day), with live hosts presenting as the winning numbers are drawn from the machine. The reliability and consistency of the draws makes it a popular game among lottery fans around the world, as you’re never far away from your next chance to win.
Six numbers are drawn from 1-49, similar to the previous UK Lotto format, followed by one Bonus Ball (also known as Booster Ball). When you place a bet, you can choose whether or not your bet should include the Bonus Ball; these are called Six number games and Seven number games. It’s also possible to bet on other aspects, such as on the Bonus Ball number itself.
UK 49's resultsOffering a regular Lotto game as well as a Lotto Plus second chance draw, France Lotto is one of the most popular European lotteries among international players in South Africa.
Draws take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, with additional special draws taking place occasionally throughout the year to celebrate big events.
The base jackpot for France Lotto is 2 million Euros (around 33 million Rand), and with each draw when the Division 1 prize is not won, it will increase by a further 1 million Euros. This means the jackpots can reach tens of millions within just a matter of weeks.
Special draws to mark events such as Valentines and Christmas often bring significantly boosted jackpots; occasionally to around 20 or 30 million Euros!
South Africans can bet on the French Lotto thanks to sites such as LotteryWorld, where bets match the main game and therefore mean you can win the big prizes on offer.
France Lotto resultsThe Greek Powerball lottery (known in Greece as Joker), like the French Lotto, also takes three times a week; on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. If you’re a regular player of both lotteries, this means there are six combined draws per week!
There are two sets of numbers drawn in Greece’s Powerball game; you first need to pick five numbers from a pool of 1-45, followed by the Powerball/Joker number from a separate pool of 1-20. Those betting on the game from South Africa will have the option to bet on up to four numbers in a regular draw bet. There are options for betting with or without the bonus ball included, as well as separate bets relating specifically to the bonus ball number drawn.
Jackpots in Greece Powerball use a rollover feature, as is common with many European lotteries. Thanks to this, the jackpot reached a record €19.3 million back in 2010, so it’s entirely possible to become a multi-millionaire in this game.
Greece Powerball resultsHolding the record for the biggest jackpot won in Europe, EuroMillions is a pan-European game that combines entries from millions of players across multiple countries.
Draws take place on a Tuesday and Friday, with jackpots rolling over between draws if none of the tickets sold manage to win the Division 1 prize. In December 2023, the jackpot managed to roll over to reach a record-high of 240 million Euros (approximately 4.92 billion rand at the time)!
There are 13 different divisions in each draw, with varying odds and prizes on offer. Look out for regular Superdraws, which boost the top prize to 130 million Euros. If the jackpot rolls over enough times, there will be a rare ‘Must Be Won’ draw, in which the entire Division 1 prize will roll down to Division 2 winners, if it is not won on the night.
Betting on EuroMillions from South Africa is quick and easy, and your bet matches the play method and payouts of the main game, which means you have the same chance to win those multi-million Euro jackpots!
EuroMillions resultsLaunched around eight years after EuroMillions, Eurojackpot is the second pan-European game that combines entries from players across multiple countries.
Jackpots are capped at 120 million Euros, however there are 12 divisions in total that offer impressive payouts for those matching fewer numbers.
In total, 19 countries participate in the Eurojackpot draw every Tuesday and Friday, with Greece being the most recent country to sign up to the game. As there are so many participating countries, jackpots tend to jump up rapidly between rollovers thanks to the number of tickets sold. Different participating countries offer various side-games, such as second chance draws and raffles. If you’re betting online, though, you are just entering the main base game.
Just like EuroMillions, your bets are matched to the main game, meaning you choose your numbers as though you were purchasing a ticket, and you can still win those mega jackpots from South Africa.
Eurojackpot resultsJega is Lithuania's daily lottery game that offers a minimum guaranteed top prize of €100,000. There are seven different winning divisions in each draw, so there are plenty of chances to win.
The game itself uses a matrix of 6/30, which places it as one of the lotteries with the best odds around. What's more, lottery players around the world are able to bet on Jega and choose how many numbers they want to match.
While jackpots don't typically roll over to the huge amounts seen in other smaller lotteries, the regularity of the draws and excellent chances of landing a prize make it an easy choice if you're deciding which game to play. Tickets cost just €1 per line, and you can choose to play multiple draws in advance, so you don't need to worry about checking back to make sure your tickets have been bought in time. If you play online, you'll be automatically notified of any wins, too!
Lithuania Jega resultsSuperEnalotto is Italy’s big-jackpot lottery, which has previously reached eye watering amounts such as €371 million, which was won in February 2023.
Draws take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night at 8pm, around the same time as the Italian Lotto game. Occasionally, national holidays and events mean that draws are postponed, however these are communicated in advance and any tickets purchased are still valid for the postponed draw.
The odds of winning a SuperEnalotto Division 1 prize are a hefty 1 in 622,614,630; placing it above EuroMillions, Eurojackpot and even the biggest U.S multi-state lotteries. The odds, however, mean that the jackpot can reach such dizzying amounts while still paying out huge prizes at lower divisions.
Italy SuperEnalotto resultsAnother daily European lottery comes in the form of Italy’s MillionDay. The game does as it says on the tin – it offers a Division 1 prize of 1 million Euros every day of the week!
There are a total of four prize divisions, with prizes starting from matching as few as two numbers. Matching all five numbers drawn will win you the Division 1 jackpot.
To play, five numbers from a range of 1-55 must be selected, however those buying tickets in Italy can also play system entries, which essentially allow you to select more than five numbers. Doing so means the entry price is significantly higher, as each combination of five numbers must be purchased to cover the amount of numbers selected.
There are no rolling jackpots in MillionDay, which means you always know what you’re playing for.
Italy MillionDay resultsCreating millionaires since 1994, the UK’s Lotto game has maintained its popularity over the years following format changes and special events.
The UK Lotto draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday evening (from 8pm GMT on Wednesdays and 7:45pm GMT on Saturdays). Live draw broadcasts are available on YouTube, so you can follow along as the winning numbers are drawn. Alternatively, follow the link below to the results page to see the confirmed numbers.
One of the most exciting parts about this game is the ‘Must Be Won’ feature that was added back in 2018. Must Be Won draws can take place at pre-planned dates with boosted jackpots, or whenever the jackpot has rolled over five consecutive times. If no players match the Division 1 prize in a designated Must Be Won draw, the entire Div. 1 pool rolls down and gets shared between all lower winners! This means that those matching three numbers can see their prize jump from to an impressive £100!
Lotto resultsSet For Life is a relatively new game in the UK and is the first major annuity-style game of its type in the country. The game does what it says on the tin; if you hit the top prize, you are indeed 'Set for life'!
The top prize comes in the form of an impressive monthly payment of £10,000, paid directly into your bank account every single month for 30 years. In total, that's £3.2 million you'll receive if you can match all six winning numbers in a draw.
There's also a high value Division 2 prize payout - £10,000 every month for one year (equal to £1.2 million). Set For Life UK draws take place every Monday and Thursday night from 8pm.
Set For Life results