France Lottery

Lotteries in France date back to 1933 when the French Parliament authorised the first national draw-based game. The intention was to help fund public causes such as a war veteran’s retirement fund and assist victims of agricultural disasters. In 1979 the government took control and established the Societe de la LoterieNationaleet du Loto National.

This was changed to France Loto in 1989 before finally becoming La Française des Jeux(FDJ) two years later. Today, the French lottery generates billions of Euros each year with proceeds distributed to cultural and social projects throughout the country.

The Games and Odds

  • Lotto (5/49 + 1/10) – Odds of winning: 1 in 19,068,840
  • Euromillions (5/50 + 2/12) – Odds of winning jackpot: 1 in 139,838,160

Lotto

Lotto is France’s main lottery game and is played by an estimated 15 million people. It features a 5/49 + 1/10 double matrix format where five numbers are drawn from 49 as well as one from a pool of 10. The odds of winning a jackpot stand at a fairly typical 1 in 19,068,840.

  • Biggest Payout–24 Million EUROS (£21 million)
  • Draw Days –Monday, Wednesday, Saturday

French Loto Ticket

The French Loto ticket comprises 8 game panels for players to select both their main and ‘lucky’ numbers. A joker option is included towards the base of the ticket which multiplies non-jackpot prizes if matched by the participant.

How to Win at Lotto

  • 5 correct numbers with 1 chance number
  • 5 correct numbers
  • 4 correct numbers with 1 chance number
  • 4 correct numbers
  • 3 correct numbers with 1 chance number
  • 3 correct numbers
  • 2 correct numbers with 1 chance number
  • 2 correct numbers
  • 1 correct numbers with 1 chance number
  • 1 chance number

EuroMillions

Euromillions was established in 2004 and is a pan-European game played in nine European countries. As with most multi-jurisdictional games, it follows a double-matrix format where five numbers are drawn from a pool of 50 and an additional bonus number from a smaller pot of 12. At 1 in 139,838,160, the chances of winning Euromillions are rather low.

EuroMillions Lottery Ticket

Every EuroMillions lottery ticket features four play boards containing boxes numbered 1 to 50. The ‘lucky star’ panels are situated to the right of each one. An option to choose the same numbers for consecutive weeks can be found at the top of each play/slip ticket.

  • Biggest Payout(France): €169,837,010(£148.4 million)
  • Draw Days: Tuesday, Friday

How to Win Euromillions

  • 5 correct numbers with 2 Euro Numbers
  • 5 correct numbers with 1 Euro Number
  • 5 correct numbers
  • 4 correct numbers with 2 Euro Numbers
  • 4 correct numbers with 1 Euro Number
  • 4 correct numbers
  • 3 correct numbers with 2 Euro Numbers
  • 3 correct numbers with 1 Euro Number
  • 3 correct numbers
  • 2 correct numbers with 2 Euro Numbers
  • 2 correct numbers with 1 Euro Number
  • 1 correct numbers with 2 Euro Numbers

How to Win Euromillions

  • 5 correct numbers with 2 Euro Numbers
  • 5 correct numbers with 1 Euro Number
  • 5 correct numbers
  • 4 correct numbers with 2 Euro Numbers
  • 4 correct numbers with 1 Euro Number
  • 4 correct numbers
  • 3 correct numbers with 2 Euro Numbers
  • 3 correct numbers with 1 Euro Number
  • 3 correct numbers
  • 2 correct numbers with 2 Euro Numbers
  • 2 correct numbers with 1 Euro Number
  • 1 correct numbers with 2 Euro Numbers

Biggest Ever Lottery Win in France – €169,837,010 (£148.4 million) – Euromillions

France’s biggest lottery win occurred in 2012 when an Alpes-Maritime native landed €169,837,010. The man, who opted for anonymity landed a substantial prize of €169,837,010, of which a sizeable proportion was allegedly donated to charitable causes.