🎯 Top 20 European Lotteries (2025)

1. EuroMillions
   A transnational lottery played across nine European countries, EuroMillions offers massive jackpots, with a record €250 million won in Austria in March 2025.
2. SuperEnalotto (Italy)
   Known for its enormous jackpots, SuperEnalotto holds the European record with a €371 million prize in February 2023.
3. Eurojackpot
   Played in 18 European countries, Eurojackpot offers jackpots up to €120 million, with notable wins in Germany and Denmark.
4. Spanish Christmas Lottery (El Gordo)
   Held annually on December 22, it’s the world’s largest lottery by total prize pool, distributing over €2.7 billion in 2024.
5. UK National Lottery
   Established in 1994, it has funded numerous public projects and offers various games, including Lotto and Thunderball.
6. La Primitiva (Spain)
   One of the oldest lotteries, dating back to 1763, La Primitiva continues to be popular with substantial jackpots.
7. Lotto 6 aus 49 (Germany)
   Germany’s primary lottery game, known for its bi-weekly draws and significant prize pools.
8. French Lotto (France)
   Operated by Française des Jeux, it offers three weekly draws and various prize tiers.
9. Vikinglotto
   A collaborative lottery among Nordic countries, offering shared jackpots and fostering regional participation.
10. Österreichische Lotterien (Austria)
    Austria’s national lottery, offering games like Lotto 6 aus 45 and EuroMillions participation.
11. Swiss Lotto (Switzerland)
    Switzerland’s primary lottery game, featuring bi-weekly draws and tax-free winnings.
12. Loterie Nationale (Belgium)
    Belgium’s national lottery, offering games like Lotto, Joker+, and EuroMillions.
13. Loterie Romande (Switzerland)
    Serving the French-speaking region of Switzerland, it supports public welfare projects through its proceeds.
14. Danske Spil (Denmark)
    Denmark’s state-owned lottery operator, offering games like Lotto, Eurojackpot, and Keno.
15. Veikkaus (Finland)
    Finland’s national betting agency, providing lottery games and supporting arts and sports initiatives.
16. Svenska Spel (Sweden)
    Sweden’s state-owned gaming company, offering lotteries like Lotto and supporting public causes.
17. Norsk Tipping (Norway)
    Norway’s national lottery operator, offering games like Lotto, Vikinglotto, and Eurojackpot.
18. Loteria Nacional (Portugal)
    Portugal’s national lottery, offering various games and contributing to social programs.
19. Loteria Nazionale (Italy)
    Italy’s national lottery, known for its annual New Year’s draw with substantial prizes.
20. Loterie Nationale (Luxembourg)
    Luxembourg’s national lottery, offering games like Lotto and supporting charitable causes.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the largest lottery jackpot ever won in Europe?
The largest European lottery jackpot was €371 million, won in Italy’s SuperEnalotto in February 2023. ​EuroMillions+5TheLotter+5Wikipedia+5

2. Are lottery winnings taxable in Europe?
Taxation varies by country. For instance, UK lottery winnings are tax-free, while in Italy, winnings over €500 are taxed at 20%.​

3. Can I play European lotteries online from the UK?
Yes, many European lotteries offer online ticket purchases, and several third-party services facilitate international participation.​

4. What is the oldest lottery in Europe?
The Dutch Staatsloterij, established in 1726, is the oldest existing lottery in Europe.​Wikipedia

5. How do EuroMillions and Eurojackpot differ?
EuroMillions is played in 9 countries with jackpots up to €250 million, while Eurojackpot spans 18 countries with a cap of €120 million.​Wikipedia+4EuroMillions+4Wikipedia+4

6. What is ‘El Gordo’ in Spain?
‘El Gordo’ refers to the top prize in Spain’s Christmas Lottery, known for its massive total prize pool exceeding €2.7 billion. ​Wikipedia+4AP News+4Wikipedia+4

7. Which European lottery offers the best odds of winning?
Lotteries like the French Lotto offer favorable odds for winning any prize, with a 1 in 6 chance.​The Pool

8. Are there lotteries that support charitable causes?
Yes, many European lotteries, such as the UK’s National Lottery and Switzerland’s Loterie Romande, allocate proceeds to public welfare projects.​

9. Can I participate in multiple European lotteries simultaneously?
Yes, players can purchase tickets for various lotteries, either through official websites or authorized retailers.​

10. How are lottery draws conducted to ensure fairness?
Most lotteries use certified random number generators or mechanical draw machines, with oversight from regulatory bodies to ensure transparency and fairness.​