Are You More Likely to Win Lotto or EuroMillions? Odds Compared

Many people buy tickets hoping to land a large win, but with so many lottery options available, is there really much difference between them? Lotto and EuroMillions are two of the UK’s most popular lottery games, both offering big prizes, yet their odds and prize structures work in different ways.

Making an informed choice starts with understanding how each game is played and how likely each one is to deliver a prize. Whether someone chooses Lotto or EuroMillions, it can be tricky to weigh up the overall chances, from smaller wins to the jackpot.

This blog post breaks down how both games operate, compares the odds across prize levels, looks at ticket prices, prize values and payouts in the UK, clears up common myths, and highlights sensible ways to take part.

Read on to learn more.

How Do Lotto and EuroMillions Work?

Lotto and EuroMillions are both number-draw games, but the play format and prize structure differ.

With Lotto, a player chooses six numbers from 1 to 59. Draws take place twice a week. To win the jackpot, all six chosen numbers must match the numbers drawn. There are also prizes for matching fewer numbers, and matching just two main numbers results in a Free Lucky Dip entry for a future draw.

EuroMillions works a little differently. Players select five main numbers from 1 to 50, and two Lucky Star numbers from 1 to 12. Prizes are awarded for matching as few as two main numbers, and the jackpot is won by matching all five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars.

Both games use random number draws, so every valid line has the same chance as any other. If choosing to play, set sensible limits and treat it as paid entertainment.

With the basics in place, the next question is simple: what are the odds?

What Are The Odds Of Winning The Lotto?

For the UK Lotto, the jackpot is won by matching all six main numbers, with odds of 1 in 45,057,474 for each line played. Other tiers are easier to hit, such as 5 main numbers plus the Bonus Ball at 1 in 7,509,579, 5 main numbers at 1 in 144,415, 4 main numbers at 1 in 2,180, and 3 main numbers at 1 in 97. Matching 2 main numbers lands a Free Lucky Dip at odds of 1 in 10.3.

These probabilities apply per line and do not change based on which numbers are chosen or how often someone plays.

Curious how EuroMillions stacks up against that?

What Are The Odds Of Winning EuroMillions?

In EuroMillions, the jackpot requires five main numbers plus two Lucky Stars. The odds of doing that with one line are 1 in 139,838,160. Other prize levels include, for example, 5 main numbers plus 1 Lucky Star at 1 in 6,991,908, 3 main numbers plus 1 Lucky Star at 1 in 706, and 2 main numbers at 1 in 22.

Each UK EuroMillions ticket also includes a Millionaire Maker code, where one UK ticket is guaranteed to win £1 million in every draw.

Now that the headline figures are clear, it helps to compare the full prize tiers side by side.

Prize Tiers And Odds Compared

Both Lotto and EuroMillions offer multiple prize levels, and the odds change at each step. Lotto’s structure is straightforward with fixed payouts in the lower tiers, while EuroMillions has more categories overall and typically pays out from a prize pool, so amounts can vary by draw.

Lotto Prize Tiers And Odds

Lotto offers several prize levels based on how many numbers match the draw. The odds do not change based on the numbers chosen:

  • 6 main numbers (Jackpot): 1 in 45,057,474
  • 5 main numbers + Bonus Ball (£1,000,000): 1 in 7,509,579
  • 5 main numbers (£1,750): 1 in 144,415
  • 4 main numbers (£140): 1 in 2,180
  • 3 main numbers (£30): 1 in 97
  • 2 main numbers (Free Lucky Dip): 1 in 10.3

Lower prize tiers are won more often, but the rewards are smaller.

EuroMillions Prize Tiers and Odds

EuroMillions prizes are based on matching main numbers and Lucky Stars, from 2 main numbers up to the jackpot. While many prizes come from a shared fund and can vary by draw, use the following reference amounts where shown:

  • Jackpot (5 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars) — Odds: 1 in 139,838,160 — Payout: Jackpot
  • 5 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star — Odds: 1 in 6,991,908 — Payout: £130,554.30
  • 5 main numbers — Odds: 1 in 3,107,515 — Payout: £13,561.20
  • 4 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars — Odds: 1 in 621,503 — Payout: £844.70
  • 4 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star — Odds: 1 in 31,076 — Payout: £77.80
  • 3 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars — Odds: 1 in 14,126 — Payout: £9.10
  • 3 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star — Odds: 1 in 706 — Payout: £7.30
  • 3 main numbers — Odds: 1 in 314 — Payout: £6.00
  • 1 main number + 2 Lucky Stars — Odds: 1 in 188 — Payout: £4.30
  • 2 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star — Odds: 1 in 49 — Payout: £3.60
  • 2 main numbers — Odds: 1 in 22 — Payout: £2.50
  • UK Millionaire Maker — Odds: varies by draw — Payout: £1,000,000

With that in mind, many players then ask a simpler question: which game pays out any prize more often?

Which Game Gives You A Better Chance Of Any Prize?

For the UK Lotto, the chance of winning any prize on a single line, including the Free Lucky Dip for matching two numbers, is about 1 in 9.3.

In EuroMillions, the odds of winning any prize on one entry, including the smallest prize for matching two main numbers, are roughly 1 in 13.

So, purely on the frequency of winning something, Lotto provides a better chance of any prize. Of course, prize values differ between the games, which leads naturally to the question of the top tier.

Which Game Gives You A Better Chance Of The Jackpot?

In Lotto, the chance of matching all six main numbers on a single line is 1 in 45,057,474.

In EuroMillions, matching five main numbers plus two Lucky Stars has odds of 1 in 139,838,160 per line.

That means a Lotto ticket offers a better chance of the jackpot than a EuroMillions entry, though jackpot wins in either game are extremely rare.

With rarity in mind, it is worth weighing the cost of a ticket against typical prize sizes.

Ticket Cost, Prize Size And Expected Value

A single line for the UK Lotto costs £2. For EuroMillions, one line costs £2.50.

EuroMillions jackpots can grow larger because the game spans multiple countries and benefits from bigger ticket sales. Lotto jackpots are usually smaller, though both games pay out across several tiers.

“Expected value” describes what a ticket might return on average once odds and prize amounts are taken into account. For both games, the expected return per ticket is lower than the cost to play, which is why lotteries should be approached as paid entertainment rather than a way to make money.

If you are comparing at a glance, a quick method helps.

How To Compare Odds Quickly?

The simplest shortcut is to look at two figures for each game: the odds of winning the jackpot and the odds of winning any prize. These numbers are published on official lottery pages and on tickets.

If the focus is the top prize, compare the “odds of winning the jackpot” between Lotto and EuroMillions. If it is more about frequent smaller wins, the “odds of any prize” give a clearer sense of how often a ticket might return something.

Official prize tables set out the full tier breakdown, which makes it easier to see where each game offers higher or lower chances. Use them as a guide only, since outcomes are always uncertain.

Before choosing numbers, it is also useful to know what happens when you win.

Tax, Payouts And Prize Claims Differences

Lotto and EuroMillions winnings in the UK are paid as tax-free lump sums. The amount advertised is the amount received. If winnings are later saved or invested, normal tax rules may apply to any interest or income earned.

Smaller prizes are usually paid automatically into a player’s online account or can be claimed in-store for physical tickets. Larger wins typically involve contacting the lottery operator to arrange a secure payout, including identity checks.

There are firm deadlines for claiming prizes, usually 180 days from the draw date. Unclaimed prizes after this period are used to support National Lottery-funded projects. Keep tickets safe, check results promptly, and follow the claim process that applies to your ticket type.

With the practicalities covered, let’s clear up a few myths that often lead people astray.

Common Misconceptions About Lottery Odds

A common belief is that certain numbers are “due” to appear or that past results shape future draws. In reality, each draw is independent, and previous outcomes do not influence the next set of numbers.

Another misconception is that buying many lines in a single draw transforms the chance of a major win. While more lines mean more entries, the odds per line stay the same, and the overall likelihood of hitting the top tiers remains very low.

Some players assume that playing regularly guarantees a win across time. The odds do not accumulate like that; they reset with every draw.

Picking numbers that fewer people choose does not improve the chance of winning either. All valid combinations are equally likely. Choosing less common numbers can only affect whether a prize is shared if a win occurs.

If playing starts to feel difficult to manage, support is available. Organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware provide free, confidential help. Set limits that suit your circumstances, and only play what you can afford to lose.

*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.

**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.