Thinking about picking up a ticket for either Lotto or EuroMillions, but unsure which one offers better winning chances? The differences between these two popular games are not always clear at first glance, and many people find the rules, prize breakdowns, and odds a little confusing.
This blog post explores how Lotto odds compare to EuroMillions, including the odds of winning the jackpot and other prize tiers in each game. It also looks at how lottery odds are calculated, and how things like ticket price, game structure, and syndicates influence the chances of a prize.
Finally, there is a look at what these odds might mean for potential returns, UK payout rules, and a few common misunderstandings. Playing is always a personal choice, and it should stay within a set budget.
How Do Lotto Odds Compare To EuroMillions?
Lotto and EuroMillions might look similar at first, but their odds work very differently. Both games ask players to select a set of numbers. However, the range of numbers and the game format make a big difference to the chances of winning.
For Lotto, players pick six numbers from a pool of 59. There is also a Bonus Ball drawn separately, which is used for certain prize tiers. In EuroMillions, players select five numbers between 1 and 50, plus two Lucky Stars from 1 to 12.
This means the number of possible combinations is higher in EuroMillions than in Lotto, which directly affects the odds of winning any prize and the jackpot. Generally, the chances of claiming the top prize are lower in EuroMillions due to more combinations, but the jackpots on offer may be much larger.
There is no way to guarantee a win and every draw is independent. With that in mind, how do the jackpots stack up?
What Are The Odds Of Winning The Jackpot In Each Game?
The chances of winning the top prize are not the same between Lotto and EuroMillions, mainly due to how the games are set up.
For Lotto, the odds of winning the jackpot by matching all six main numbers in a single line are around 1 in 45 million. This figure comes from the total number of unique six-number combinations available from 59 numbers.
EuroMillions has a more challenging jackpot to win. Here, players need to match five main numbers and two Lucky Stars. The odds are roughly 1 in 139 million for winning the top prize with a single entry.
While jackpots in both games may be appealing, the odds are always long. Most prizes sit below the top tier, so how do the other rewards compare?
Lotto Odds By Prize Tier
Lotto offers several ways to win, not just the jackpot. Each prize tier has different odds, based on the number of main numbers and whether the Bonus Ball is matched in a single line.
Match 6 main numbers wins the jackpot at odds of 1 in 45,057,474. Match 5 main numbers plus the Bonus Ball pays £1,000,000 at 1 in 7,509,579. Match 5 main numbers pays £1,750 at 1 in 144,415. Match 4 main numbers pays £140 at 1 in 2,180. Match 3 main numbers pays £30 at 1 in 97. Match 2 main numbers awards a free Lucky Dip at 1 in 10. Smaller prizes are naturally more common, while the jackpot remains rare.
EuroMillions Odds By Prize Tier
EuroMillions offers a range of prizes based on how many main numbers and Lucky Stars a player matches in a single draw. The top prize, or jackpot, is for matching all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars.
Here are the odds of winning each prize tier:
- 5 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars (Jackpot): 1 in 139,838,160
- 5 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star: 1 in 6,991,908
- 5 main numbers: 1 in 3,107,515
- 4 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars: 1 in 621,503
- 4 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star: 1 in 31,076
- 3 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars: 1 in 14,126
- 3 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star: 1 in 706
- 3 main numbers: 1 in 314
- 1 main number + 2 Lucky Stars: 1 in 188
- 2 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star: 1 in 49
- 2 main numbers: 1 in 22
Separately, each ticket purchased in the UK is automatically entered into the Millionaire Maker draw. The odds for Millionaire Maker depend on the number of UK tickets sold for that draw, so they vary from one draw to the next.
So where do all these figures come from?
How Are Lottery Odds Calculated?
Lottery odds are worked out by looking at the number of different combinations of numbers that may be selected in a single draw.
In Lotto, a player chooses six numbers from 59. The maths behind this uses combinations, where the order does not matter, to show how many unique sets of six numbers are possible. The jackpot odds are the inverse of that total.
EuroMillions takes this further. Players pick five numbers from 50 and two Lucky Stars from 12. The total combinations for the main numbers are multiplied by the combinations for the Lucky Stars, which produces the jackpot odds. The same approach underpins every prize tier.
In all lotteries, each combination is just as likely as any other. Past results do not influence future draws. With the basics covered, price and format become the next pieces of the puzzle.
How Do Ticket Cost And Game Format Affect Your Chances?
The price of a ticket and the way each lottery is set up both influence a player’s odds and potential returns.
A Lotto ticket costs £2 per line, while EuroMillions tickets are £2.50 per line, so a single EuroMillions entry costs a little more. The format matters too. Lotto requires six numbers from a set pool. EuroMillions needs five main numbers plus two Lucky Stars, which creates far more possible combinations. That larger space of combinations makes a EuroMillions jackpot less likely to land for any single entry than a Lotto jackpot.
EuroMillions usually offers much larger prizes, especially at the top end, which is why some players prefer it despite longer odds and a higher ticket price.
What if you simply hold more entries?
Do Syndicates Or Buying Multiple Tickets Improve Your Odds?
Some people choose to join a syndicate, a group where players pool their money to buy more tickets together. Others might decide to buy several tickets on their own for a single draw.
Both approaches increase the number of unique entries held in the draw. More lines mean a higher chance of a prize in direct proportion to the extra entries. In a syndicate, any winnings are shared between members, so each person’s share is smaller than if an individual ticket wins.
Even with multiple entries, outcomes are never certain and every draw remains random. That leads neatly to the bigger picture: what the numbers mean over time.
Expected Value And What Odds Mean For Your Bankroll
Expected value is a way of estimating what a player might win or lose, on average, with each lottery ticket purchased over the long term.
To estimate it, consider each prize tier: multiply the probability of winning that tier by its payout, then add the results together and subtract the ticket price. For both Lotto and EuroMillions, the expected value is usually lower than the ticket cost. Over many draws, spending tends to exceed returns, even though individual outcomes vary widely.
This is why setting a clear budget, sticking to it, and treating play as optional entertainment is important.
Tax, Payouts And Typical Prize Distribution In The UK
Lottery winnings in the UK are paid out as lump sums and are tax-free. Players receive the full prize amount advertised, whether it is the jackpot or a smaller prize.
For both Lotto and EuroMillions, prizes are usually paid out soon after a win has been validated. Winnings can be deposited into an online account or paid in person if the ticket was bought in a shop.
The prize money comes from ticket sales. A percentage of every ticket goes towards the prize fund, another part is allocated to charitable causes, and the remainder covers operating costs and retailer commissions.
Larger prizes, including jackpots, are shared if more than one person wins in the same draw. Lower-tier prizes are set amounts, while jackpots may roll over to the next draw if nobody matches all the numbers.
If someone wins a large sum, there may be other financial implications, such as potential impact on benefits or inheritance planning. Independent financial guidance can help with next steps.
Before wrapping up, a few myths are worth clearing up.
Common Misconceptions About Lotto And EuroMillions Odds
There are a number of common misunderstandings about how Lotto and EuroMillions work, especially when it comes to the odds.
Some people believe that certain numbers are “due” to come up because they have not appeared recently. In reality, each draw is independent and every number combination has the same chance every time.
Another misconception is that buying tickets for consecutive draws increases the likelihood of winning over time. While more entries mean more chances in each draw, previous draws have no effect on future ones.
It is also often thought that choosing less commonly selected numbers might improve the odds of winning a jackpot. While picking rarer numbers may reduce the chance of sharing a prize with others, it does not make a win more likely.
There is no strategy, pattern, or system that can guarantee a win in Lotto or EuroMillions. The odds remain the same for every ticket purchased.
If you choose to participate in a lottery draw, set personal limits that suit your circumstances and only spend what you can afford. If playing starts to affect your well-being or your finances, seek support early. Independent organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware offer free, confidential help. Understanding how the odds work makes it easier to make clear-headed choices about whether and how to play.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.