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PlayChanges to EuroMillions
EuroMillions has been played for many years and over that time the game has undergone many changes. These changes range from small ones like alterations of prize funding, to bigger changes such as the introduction of entirely new draws and raffle games. Here, you can find information about all changes made to EuroMillions since its 2004 debut.
February 2020 - Changes to the Jackpot Cap
On 1st February 2020 a number of changes were made to EuroMillions and the jackpots on offer. The changes were implemented to help jackpots grow bigger and faster than under previous game rules, without an increase in ticket price or the number of balls to choose from. In addition, the new prize structure meant that the average number of Superdraws taking place each year would increase.
The Jackpot Cap, which stood at €190 million since January 2012, increased to €200 million, with the potential of climbing further to €250 million in future. Read more about the EuroMillions jackpot cap changes from February 2020.
January 2019 – Change to UK Millionaire Maker
On 15th January 2019, the number of UK Millionaire Maker prizes offered in EuroMillions draws decreased from two per draw to one. The change was announced in order to make way for more frequent special draws in the future.
September 2016 – EuroMillions Overhaul
September 2016 saw sweeping changes made to the EuroMillions format, including the introduction of new supplementary games in six countries and a €2 million increase to the minimum jackpot. The price of entry was increased as follows:
| Country | Previous Cost | New Cost |
|---|---|---|
 Austria |
€2.00 | €2.20 |
 Belgium |
€2.00 | €2.50 |
 Ireland |
€2.00 | €2.50 |
 Luxembourg |
€2.00 | €2.50 |
 Portugal |
€2.00 | €2.50 |
 Spain |
€2.00 | €2.50 |
 Switzerland |
CHF3.00 | CHF3.50 |
 UK |
£2.00 | £2.50 |
The price change covered the cost of new raffles and supplementary games implemented across Europe. With the new games came the introduction of a Europe-wide raffle event, the European Millionaire Maker. The first European Millionaire Maker raffle took place on Friday 28th October 2016, with 25 winning codes selected.
Another big change was the introduction to the game of a 12th Lucky Star; the odds of winning in each prize tier changed as a result:
| Prize Tier | Previous Format | New Format |
|---|---|---|
| Match 5 + 2 Stars | 1 in 116,531,800 | 1 in 139,838,160 |
| Match 5 + 1 Star | 1 in 6,473,989 | 1 in 6,991,908 |
| Match 5 | 1 in 3,236,995 | 1 in 3,107,515 |
| Match 4 + 2 Stars | 1 in 517,920 | 1 in 621,503 |
| Match 4 + 1 Star | 1 in 28,774 | 1 in 31,076 |
| Match 3 + 2 Stars | 1 in 11,771 | 1 in 14,126 |
| Match 4 | 1 in 14,387 | 1 in 13,812 |
| Match 2 + 2 Stars | 1 in 882 | 1 in 986 |
| Match 3 + 1 Star | 1 in 654 | 1 in 707 |
| Match 3 | 1 in 327 | 1 in 314 |
| Match 1 + 2 Stars | 1 in 157 | 1 in 188 |
| Match 2 + 1 Stars | 1 in 46 | 1 in 50 |
| Match 2 | 1 in 23 | 1 in 22 |
| The overall odds of winning a prize remained at 1 in 13. | ||
The UK’s popular 'Mega Friday' promotional draw - which saw multiple £1 million raffle prizes and luxury non-cash prizes awarded on the last Friday of each month – also saw a major change. The event was expanded to offer prizes in two consecutive draws and was renamed 'Mega Week'.
All changes came into effect as of Saturday 24th September 2016, with the very first Mega Week beginning on Tuesday 27th September. Ten raffle prizes of £1 million plus a 100-day round-the-world trip were given out, and a special €130 million Superdraw took place on Friday 30th September. Mega Week ran for nine months, with the last Mega Week draws taking place on Tuesday 25th and Friday 28th June 2017.
Changes Summary (General)
- Minimum jackpot increased from €15 million to €17 million
- European Millionaire Maker raffle introduced
- Ticket price increased in all participating countries
- The number of draws in which the jackpot could stay at its cap before triggering a rolldown increased from two to five
- Number of Lucky Stars increased from 11 to 12, resulting in a change to the odds of winning individual prizes
Changes Summary (UK)
- UK Mega Friday transformed into Mega Week, an occasional event that offered multiple Millionaire Maker prizes, and non-cash prizes including luxury holidays
- Number of UK Millionaire Maker prizes offered per draw increased from one to two. The chances of winning improved from 1 in 4.8 million to 1 in 1.9 million for a Tuesday draw, and from 1 in 7.5 million to 1 in 2.95 million for a Friday draw
Changes Summary (Rest of Europe)
- 'Ireland Only Raffle' supplementary game introduced to Ireland, offering ten €5,000 prizes every draw
- 'El Millón' supplementary raffle introduced to Spain, offering a €1 million prize every Friday
- 'My Bonus' supplementary raffle introduced to Belgium, offering 600 prizes of €500 and one prize worth €1 million every week
- 'M1lhão' supplementary raffle introduced to Portugal, offering a €1 million prize every Friday
- '2. Chance' supplementary draw introduced to Switzerland, offering players the chance to win up to CHF150,000 using their main EuroMillions numbers
- 'Etoile+' add-on game introduced in France, offering increased prizes and additional prize tiers for matching Lucky Stars
October 2014 – Changes to Millionaire Raffle; New 'Mega Friday' Draw
On 31st October 2014, the Millionaire Raffle officially changed its name to 'UK Millionaire Maker'. The name change had been planned since March 2014 and coincided with the first of a new monthly special draw called 'Mega Friday'.
Mega Friday draws offered multiple Millionaire Maker prizes, as well as a non-cash prize, often in the form of a luxury holiday experience. The 31st October Mega Friday draw offered 25 Millionaire Maker raffle prizes and an all-inclusive trip for eight people to Makepeace Island in Australia.
February 2014 – New 'My Million' Draw in France
On 4th February 2014, a new supplementary raffle game called 'My Million' was introduced to French players, which guarantees one €1 million prize to a lucky player each draw. Entry is included in the cost of a EuroMillions ticket.
January 2012 – Change to Jackpot Cap
On 12th January 2012, the EuroMillions jackpot cap was frozen at €190 million. Previous rules set in 2009 stated that each time the jackpot cap was reached, it would be increased by €5 million. The last cap increase had taken place in July 2011, when Scottish couple Colin and Chris Weir won a capped €185 million (£161.6 million) jackpot – the largest lottery prize ever won in the UK at the time.
A second rule was changed alongside the jackpot cap; the top prize could remain at its maximum size for two draws, instead of one draw, before being rolled down to the next prize tier.
Changes Summary
- Jackpot cap increase rule scrapped; jackpot cap frozen at €190 million
- Jackpot roll-down deadline increased from one draw after reaching cap to two draws after reaching cap
May 2011 – Changes to Draw Schedule, Lucky Stars
The 10th May 2011 EuroMillions draw was the very first to take place on a Tuesday. Draws took place twice a week on Tuesdays and Friday. A 13th prize tier was also introduced alongside the new draw schedule; players could match just two numbers to win a EuroMillions prize, making the overall odds of winning 1 in 13.
Also, the number of Lucky Stars to choose from was increased from 9 to 11, with the effect of increasing the average size of the EuroMillions jackpot over time.
Changes Summary
- Tuesday EuroMillions draws introduced
- Lucky Star pool increased from 9 to 11
November 2009 – Changes to EuroMillions Format
On 7th November 2009, EuroMillions’ 11-rollover limit was replaced by a jackpot cap of €185 million. In the event of the jackpot reaching €185 million, it would remain there for one additional draw before being rolled down to winners in the next prize tier. Additionally, the jackpot cap would be increased by €5 million once reached.
The price of a EuroMillions ticket also increased from £1.50 to £2. The price increase heralded the launch of a new supplementary raffle game, 'Millionaire Raffle', on 13th November. Included in the EuroMillions ticket’s new price, UK players would get the chance to win a guaranteed €1 million every week by matching the raffle code printed on their ticket with the code revealed during a EuroMillions draw.
nChanges Summary
- Rollover cap replaced by €185 million jackpot cap, increased by €5 million each time it is reached
- New supplementary 'Millionaire Raffle' introduced in the UK
- Ticket price increased from £1.50 to £2.
June 2007 – New 'EuroMillions Plus' Draw in Ireland
On 15th June 2007, Ireland launched an optional supplementary draw called 'EuroMillions Plus'. For an additional €1 per EuroMillions entry, players’ main EuroMillions numbers could be entered into a secondary lottery draw to win prizes up to €500,000.
February 2007 – Introduction of Superdraws
On 9th February 2007, the first ever EuroMillions Superdraw took place. Money from the EuroMillions Reserve Fund was used to instantly boost the EuroMillions jackpot to €100 million. If the jackpot was not won, it would roll over like a regular jackpot.
January 2006 – Introduction of Rollover Cap
On 20th January 2006, a new jackpot rule was announced, which stated that the jackpot would be allowed to roll over no more than 11 times. If still not won on the 12th draw, the jackpot would be rolled down to the next prize tier and distributed evenly between the winners in that tier.
The first and only time this mechanic was required was in November 2006, when, after 12 draws with no jackpot winner, the top prize was shared by 20 players who matched five main numbers and one Lucky Star. They each received £6.7 million (€9.6 million).
October 2004 – Six New Countries Participate
The 8th October 2004 EuroMillions draw was the first in which Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Portugal took part, taking the number of participating countries to nine. EuroMillions was initially launched in France, Spain and the United Kingdom in February 2004.
