How Does The EuroMillions Jackpot Cap Work?

Has the cap always been €190 million?

No. When the game started, the jackpot could roll over a maximum of 11 times, but this was found to be too limiting and so the rules changed and the top prize was capped at €185 million. This was increased to €190 million after Chris and Colin Weir from the UK won €185 million (£161.6 million) in July 2011. Find out more on the Jackpot Cap page.

When has it previously reached €190 million?

The first time the jackpot reached €190 million was in August 2012, when UK couple Adrian and Gillian Bayford went on to win the lot (£148.6 million). A Portuguese player equalled the record on Friday 24th October 2014 when they scooped €190 million.

Largest UK Amount

As the EuroMillions jackpot cap is stated in Euros, the equivalent value of the €190 million in sterling can vary from draw to draw depending on the exchange rate of the day. It is for this reason that the Weirs currently hold the record for the biggest win in the UK rather than the Bayfords. The exchange rate at present estimates the jackpot at £168 million, meaning that a UK winner would become the biggest in the country’s history.

Where does the jackpot money go now?

Once there is €190 million in the jackpot, any additional funds will then roll down to the next prize tier in which there are winners. This is most likely to be the ‘Match 5+1’ category, so any players in this tier will probably receive a share of a significantly larger prize pool than usual. If there is nobody in this tier, the money will be shared among players who match just five main numbers.

Why is this a good thing?

Not only is there an incredible jackpot on offer, but you are also likely to win a win a bigger prize if you just miss out on the jackpot. A rule change in September 2016 also increased the number of draws in which the jackpot can stay at €190 million, making it possible to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity for even longer if the top prize keeps rolling over.

When does it have to be won?

The rules state that once the €190 million cap is reached, the jackpot can stay at this amount for a further four draws. If nobody has matched all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars after this last draw, then the full amount will be split between players in the next winning tier. This means the jackpot will be able to keep rolling until Tuesday 17th October at the latest.

Will it be won in the next draw?

The rate of ticket sales across Europe is expected to explode as the clock ticks down towards the next draw and, the more players who enter, the likelier it is that someone will win the jackpot. There is no guarantee that it will be won, but there has never been a better time to play and the only way you can win is to take part. Choose numbers online to give yourself a chance, or go to any authorised retailer in one of the participating countries. Good luck!