Euromillions boasts the fact that it is one of the largest tax-free, lump-sum lotteries across the globe. This European Lottery is a relatively recent offering that spans over many countries across Europe.

It was launched on February 13th 2004 with the very first draw taking place in France making it the first truly multi-national lottery.

At first, just three countries were involved, with the UK, France & Spain in a collaborative effort. A few months later however, in October 2004, Austria, Belgium, the Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal & Switzerland also became involved.

More European countries are bound to follow suit especially as more and more countries elect to join and are accepted into the European Union.

The euromillions lottery pools the monies paid in from all of the participating nations and this results in truly massive Jackpots which are often some of the largest in the world.

As more countries join, these jackpot prize funds will undoubtedly continue to rise in value further.

Euromillions (or Euro Lottery as it is sometimes known as) draws are held each and every Friday evening and are held in Paris.

The cost of entry to play in this European Lottery is £1.50 sterling in the UK and €2.00 in the other countries involved.

To play this lottery, players need to pick 5 main numbers (from 1 to 50) and then 2 “lucky star” numbers (from 1 to 9).

The mechanics of the Euromillions draw are like this……… 5 balls are drawn from 50 numbers (1 to 50) and then 2 balls (called “lucky stars”) are drawn from 9 numbers (1 to 9).

First the 5 main numbers and then the 2 “lucky star” numbers are drawn randomly from 2 separate draw machines that contain the numbered balls.

An exciting part of the Euro Lotto is the “Rollover”. On any given week, if the correct numbers are not matched to win the Jackpot, the prize fund “rolls over” to the following week.

This means that the jackpot prize increases in value week after week until the correct numbers are matched.

Laws instigated in February 2007 limit the number of “roll-overs” that can take place to eleven. Just think how huge the jackpot would be, though, if this top prize did “roll-over” eleven times…….which it does!