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PlayThe first big decision you will have to make once you hit the EuroMillions jackpot is how much information to reveal about yourself. Some stay completely private, others allow details like their location and occupation to be reported and the rest opt for a full press conference with the champagne bottles and giant cheques that go with it.
The temptation at first would be to avoid the potential begging letters and resurfacing distant relatives by staying anonymous but, with a multimillion-pound win, it could be difficult to explain away the trappings of your newfound wealth. On winning £161.6 million (€185 million at the time) in July 2011, Christine Weir of Largs in Ayrshire explained why she and her husband opted for full publicity, saying “We would have had to have constructed lies for our nearest and dearest. We don't want to live like that.”
Of course, you could tell some friends and family members, but the more people you confide in, the more chance your secret has of leaking out. In the Weirs’ case, the sheer scale of their win would have piqued the interest of the press, who could have tracked them down anyway.
This year Richard and Angela Maxwell of Lincolnshire also decided to face the nation’s press when they scooped £53.1 million (€73.5 million) on Tuesday 31st March, although a UK ticket holder who pocketed £93.3 million (€129.2 million) on Friday 12th June appears to have successfully maintained their anonymity thus far.
Whether you choose to shout about your massive win or keep it hidden from everyone else, you will be supported by a team of advisors who can help you out with any questions about gifting, investments and other financial matters. They will also have access to the lottery’s publicity team after to help them deal with the exposure. Take a look at the Publicity or Anonymity page to find out more about what happens after a big win.
Whilst lottery fans await news of who Britain’s newest millionaire might be, there is another chance to join them on Millionaires’ Row tonight when EuroMillions returns. The jackpot is worth £17 million (€24 million) and you can play EuroMillions by buying tickets at authorised retailers or online. Good luck.