How to play Eurojackpot?
Eurojackpot requires predicting winning numbers drawn from 1 to 50 (five regular numbers) plus two so‑called Euro numbers (from 1 to 12). You win starting from two matching regular numbers plus one correct Euro number.
Eurojackpot requires predicting winning numbers drawn from 1 to 50 (five regular numbers) plus two so‑called Euro numbers (from 1 to 12). You win starting from two matching regular numbers plus one correct Euro number.
How it all works, or “how can you win in Euro lotto?”
In Eurojackpot you predict 5 out of 50 regular numbers drawn from 1–50 — these are the Eurojackpot winning numbers. In addition, the two Euro numbers, two of now 12 possible, must be correct to reach the top prize class. A completed grid on a playslip is called a tip. Typically, 3 to 8 Eurojackpot grids can be marked on one slip.
The jackpot — minimum €10 million
In the highest prize class (class 1) there is a jackpot of at least €10 million (odds approx. 1:140 million). The jackpot also increases if no winner is determined in a prize class; it rolls over going forward — from Friday to Tuesday and from Tuesday to Friday.
Unpaid prize amounts remain in the class and are added to the next draw for the same class. The jackpot can thus grow to many millions from draw to draw.
Unlike Lotto, where the jackpot can only roll over for up to 12 draws (no difference between Wednesday and Saturday draws), Eurojackpot has no such restriction. To curb potential gambling addiction, there is a cap: if the jackpot is not won, it can grow up to €120 million in total, then it must be paid out. Compared to German 6aus49, the Eurojackpot top prize grows faster, mainly due to the higher price (€2 per Euro lotto grid versus €1.20 per Lotto grid).
Costs, or “eurolotto costs” / “Eurojackpot playing costs”
One Eurojackpot tip costs €2.00 per draw plus fees (so‑called “processing fee”).
Deadline, or “until when can you play Eurojackpot?”
The submission deadline varies nationwide and among online retailers; it is Friday around 18:30. Some online providers have blackout times (e.g., 23:40–00:10 at Sachsenlotto).
Quick pick
Quick picks are random number generators on relevant websites or at kiosks that provide random numbers for players.
Duration
The duration determines how long your Eurojackpot participation runs. By selecting the desired duration (usually 1–5 weeks), you specify how long the slip participates in the chosen draw(s).
The drawings, or “when are Eurojackpot winning numbers announced?”
Eurojackpot winning numbers are drawn once a week, on Friday at 21:00 in Helsinki, Finland. For checking your slip you need 7 numbers: 5 regular numbers (from 50) and 2 Euro numbers (from 10). If all seven match, you typically win millions (minimum €10 million in class 1, see above). There are eleven additional prize classes; the simple rule of thumb is: with at least 3 correct numbers, regardless of which, your Eurojackpot tip has already won!
The balls are equipped with RFID chips for security and count control. Each draw is supervised on site by Finnish police officers. There have already been some glitches in broadcasts (e.g., on 05.04.2014 ZDF showed old numbers with new payouts).
The Superzahl, or “where is the Superzahl?” / “what is the Superzahl?”
Unlike Lotto 6aus49, Eurojackpot does not have a Superzahl.
Receipt
After submitting your Eurojackpot slip at a kiosk, you receive a receipt. This is the official proof of participation, not the marked slip. Keep it safe; any claims can only be made on presentation of the receipt. In some federal states you can also play with your customer card; in that case, uncollected prizes may be transferred directly to your bank account. Many players receive small uncollected prizes weeks later; otherwise, there are regular special draws with significant prizes. A customer card is recommended and is usually issued free of charge.
Barcode on the receipt
At some lottery retailers (e.g., Lotto Hamburg, Sachsenlotto) your lottery receipt includes an additional barcode with detailed play info. This lets you re‑scan last week’s “Euro numbers” at the terminal or check your receipt online from home. Payout checking is also possible with some free apps, e.g., the WINCHECK app for iPhone (Lotto Hamburg). Typically limited to the respective state.
Prize classes
Eurojackpot has 12 prize classes:
Class 1: Jackpot winners — 5 correct regular numbers + 2 correct Euro numbers
Class 2: 5 correct regular numbers + 1 correct Euro number
Class 3: 5 correct regular numbers
Class 4: 4 correct regular numbers + 2 correct Euro numbers
Class 5: 4 correct regular numbers + 1 correct Euro number
Class 6: 3 correct regular numbers + 2 correct Euro numbers (until 25.03.2022: class 7)
Class 7: 4 correct regular numbers (until 25.03.2022: class 6)
Class 8: 3 correct regular numbers + 1 correct Euro number
Class 9: 2 correct regular numbers + 2 correct Euro numbers
Class 10: 3 correct regular numbers
Class 11: 1 correct regular number + 2 correct Euro numbers
Class 12: 2 correct regular numbers + 1 correct Euro number
each per grid.
How much does each class pay?
Payouts depend on total stakes. Only what players wager is distributed; as with Lotto, about 50% of weekly stakes are paid out as prizes. Class 1 always pays at least €10 million to the class (shared among multiple winners if applicable). Like Lotto, actual payouts depend on the number of winners and the divisible prize pool. See typical amounts in our Eurojackpot archive.
How long are prize claims valid?
All claims expire 13 weeks after the last draw of the submitted play order. All information without guarantee and completeness.
EuroLotto: a single joint lottery in Europe?
Although many assume so, this is not true. Under the umbrella term EuroLotto there are two European lotteries: EuroMillions and Eurojackpot.
Are EuroMillions and Eurojackpot the same?
No. At first glance, in both you pick 5 out of 50 regular numbers. Looking closer, EuroMillions requires 2 out of 12 possible Euro numbers (also called “stars”), whereas Eurojackpot uses 2 out of only 10 possible Euro numbers (terminology “Euro numbers” to avoid confusion). The logical conclusion: they are two different lotteries.
Rule change effective 24.09.2016 for EuroMillions
From 24 September 2016, EuroMillions increased the Euro numbers from 11 to 12. Accordingly, jackpot odds changed from 1:116,531,800 to 1:139,838,160. Statistically, jackpots occur less often and thus grow faster. The minimum top prize after a jackpot payout rose from €15m to €17m.
Rule change effective 10.10.2014 for Eurojackpot
From 10 October 2014, Euro numbers increased from 8 to 10. Accordingly, the jackpot odds changed from 1:59,325,280 to 1:95,344,200. Statistically, jackpots occur less often and grow faster.
Rule changes effective 25.03.2022 for Eurojackpot
From 25 March 2022, Euro numbers increased again from 10 to 12 (often shown as stars). Accordingly, jackpot odds changed from 1:95,344,200 to 1:139,838,160. Statistically, jackpots occur less often and grow faster. The chance of exactly 4 correct regular numbers is now higher (compared to 3 correct with 2 Euro numbers), so prize classes swapped order (Class 6: 3+2; Class 7: 4+0). In addition, a second weekly draw on Tuesday was introduced; the jackpot now rolls between these draws, similar to Lotto. The maximum jackpot increased from €90m to €120m. These Eurojackpot combination links illustrate the change: 110175520 (formerly 59325280, last combination with only 8 Euro numbers), 129244360 (formerly 95344200, last with 10 Euro numbers), and with 12 Euro numbers 139838160.
May I legally play EuroMillions in Germany?
Essentially no. Background: EuroMillions launched on 13 Feb 2004 and currently runs in the following 10 countries: 1) Spain, 2) France, 3) United Kingdom, 4) Austria, 5) Belgium, 6) Ireland, 7) Luxembourg, 8) Portugal, 9) Switzerland, 10) Liechtenstein (population approx. 218 million).
Eurojackpot launched 23 Mar 2012 and runs in 17 countries: 1) Denmark, 2) Germany, 3) Estonia, 4) Finland, 5) Netherlands, 6) Italy, 7) Slovenia, 8) Spain, 9) Sweden, 10) Norway, 11) Iceland, 12) Latvia, 13) Lithuania, 14) Croatia, 15) Czechia, 16) Hungary, and since 09.10.2015 also 17) Slovakia (population approx. 269 million). The only country where both variants (EuroMillions and Eurojackpot) are officially offered is Spain; EuroMillions is far more popular there.
In Germany you cannot officially participate in EuroMillions draws. The 16 state lottery operators do not offer it.
Can I play EuroMillions in Germany “somehow”?
Effectively answered above: no. Many online providers don’t sell official tickets but let you bet on the results of these lotteries, paying out according to official results/payouts. These are private betting companies and, simplified, they keep player stakes. While not entirely illegal, funds usually flow abroad and are taxed there. We do not recommend this. On this site we list only state‑licensed German providers who forward stakes to the 16 state operators; German taxes apply to those stakes.
