EuroMillions HotPicks is a game offered by several European lottery operators and played alongside the EuroMillions lottery draw on Tuesday and Friday evenings. It gives players another chance to win big by choosing numbers from the EuroMillions results.
How do you play EuroMillions HotPicks?
To play EuroMillions HotPicks, you need to pick 5 numbers from 1 to 50. These numbers will then be matched against the 5 EuroMillions numbers drawn on that particular day.
You can play using a Quick Pick, where the numbers are randomly generated for you, or pick your own numbers using a EuroMillions HotPicks playslip. Tickets can be purchased online or from authorized retailers.
The cost to play is £1.50 per line. You can play up to 10 lines per draw.
What are the prizes?
EuroMillions HotPicks uses a fixed prize structure. The prizes are:
| Matches | Prize |
|---|---|
| 5 | £1 million |
| 4 | £130,000 |
| 3 | £2,500 |
| 2 | £10 |
As you can see, matching all 5 numbers wins the jackpot prize of £1 million. Matching 2 numbers wins a lucky dip entry into a future EuroMillions draw.
What are the odds of winning?
The overall odds of winning any EuroMillions HotPicks prize are 1 in 10. However, the odds for each prize tier vary:
| Prize Tier | Odds |
|---|---|
| Match 5 | 1 in 3,779,530 |
| Match 4 | 1 in 96,371 |
| Match 3 | 1 in 1,461 |
| Match 2 | 1 in 49 |
As you can see, matching all 5 numbers is highly unlikely, but still possible. Matching 2 numbers is quite common. With millions of entries each draw, there are usually several winners in each prize tier.
When are the EuroMillions HotPicks draws?
EuroMillions HotPicks draws take place every Tuesday and Friday evening at around 8:45pm GMT. This is shortly after the main EuroMillions draw.
The draws are held in Paris and results are typically available about an hour later. You can check results online, in the media, in store, or via the official apps.
Which countries can play EuroMillions HotPicks?
EuroMillions HotPicks is currently available in the following European countries:
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Austria
- Belgium
- France
- Luxembourg
- Portugal
- Spain
- Switzerland
So players from any of these countries can participate. The game may expand to more countries in the future.
Where does the EuroMillions HotPicks money go?
In every country, a portion of EuroMillions HotPicks sales goes towards supporting good causes. For example:
- In the UK, 28% goes to National Lottery projects across the arts, sports, heritage, charities, and more.
- In Ireland, 65% goes to the National Lottery Good Causes fund for projects related to health, youth, community, arts, etc.
- In France, 30% is allocated to support sport and youth programs.
So playing EuroMillions HotPicks gives you a chance to win, while also contributing to important causes across Europe.
What are the biggest EuroMillions HotPicks wins?
There have been several big EuroMillions HotPicks winners over the years. Some of the notable high rollers include:
- A UK player won £1 million in the draw on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. The lucky winner was from South Gloucestershire.
- Another UK player scooped the £1 million prize on Friday, November 8, 2019. This winner was from Birmingham.
- On Tuesday, May 28, 2019, a player in Spain won the £1 million jackpot. The winning ticket was sold in Aragon.
- A French player won €1 million playing EuroMillions HotPicks on the draw on Friday, January 17, 2020.
In August 2012, there were five £1 million winners across four consecutive draws. So big HotPicks wins are definitely possible on any draw!
Is there a EuroMillions HotPicks rollover?
No, EuroMillions HotPicks does not have rollovers. It has a fixed prize structure, so if no one matches all 5 numbers in a draw, the £1 million jackpot is simply not won. The prize money does not roll over to the next draw.
This is different to the main EuroMillions game, which does have rollovers when the jackpot is not won. EuroMillions HotPicks always has set prizes for set matches.
Can you buy EuroMillions HotPicks entries in advance?
Most lottery operators allow you to buy EuroMillions HotPicks tickets in advance for upcoming draws:
- In the UK, you can buy tickets up to 6 weeks in advance.
- In Ireland, up to 5 weeks in advance.
- In Austria, up to 20 draws ahead.
- In France and Luxembourg, up to 4 weeks ahead.
- In Belgium, Portugal and Spain, up to 2 draws ahead.
So you don’t just have to play on the day of the draw. You can buy tickets well ahead of time. Some players like to buy them as gifts or as a regular habit.
Can a EuroMillions HotPicks syndicate win?
Yes! EuroMillions HotPicks syndicates can definitely win prizes.
Playing in a syndicate allows your group to buy more lines and tickets for a draw. This increases your chances of winning.
The prize money is shared evenly between syndicate members if you win. There have been several big syndicate wins, like:
- In 2013, a 12-person syndicate from Belgium won €1 million playing EuroMillions HotPicks.
- In the UK in 2019, a 14-member workplace syndicate scooped a £1 million HotPicks jackpot.
- In 2020, a French syndicate of 20 won €1 million.
So playing as a syndicate can be a great way to enhance your chances and share the joy of winning!
What are the pros of playing EuroMillions HotPicks?
Some of the advantages of EuroMillions HotPicks include:
- Fixed prizes – you know exactly what you can win.
- Relatively good odds – compared to the main EuroMillions draw.
- Prizes for matching just 2 numbers.
- Tickets are only £1.50.
- Draws twice a week.
- Jackpot is usually won every 1-2 months.
- Can play in a syndicate.
Overall, it provides an affordable way to win big prizes more often than the main EuroMillions game. Matching all 5 numbers can change your life with a £1 million payout.
What are the cons of EuroMillions HotPicks?
Some of the downsides of EuroMillions HotPicks include:
- No rollovers – jackpots stay fixed at £1 million.
- Relatively slim odds of matching all 5 numbers.
- Not available everywhere – only 9 European countries.
- Prizes get taxed – winners don’t get the full amount.
- Have to match 5 numbers to win the big prize.
The odds of hitting the jackpot aren’t great compared to other lottery games. And there’s no accumulating EuroMillions-sized jackpots due to no rollovers.
Is there an option to play EuroMillions HotPicks online?
Yes, many lottery operators allow you to play EuroMillions HotPicks online via desktop, mobile, or their apps. Benefits include:
- Convenience – don’t have to go to a shop.
- Can play from anywhere.
- Faster – takes just minutes.
- Secured payment options.
- Get notified if you win.
To play online, you need to register an account, deposit funds, then purchase your HotPicks entries. Make sure to only use each country’s official lottery website or mobile apps.
Here are some of the official sites offering online play:
- UK – national-lottery.co.uk
- Ireland – lottery.ie
- France – fdj.fr
- Austria – lotterien.at
- Belgium – e-lotto.be
So playing online provides a quick, convenient way to get your HotPicks tickets.
Can you use an app to play EuroMillions HotPicks?
Most lottery operators have official mobile apps that allow you to play EuroMillions HotPicks:
- The UK National Lottery app
- The Irish National Lottery app
- FDJ app in France
- Lottery24 app in Austria
- e-lotto app in Belgium
These apps make playing on your smartphone easy:
- Buy tickets in just a few taps.
- Get notified of results.
- Scan tickets to check for wins.
- Manage your account on the go.
The apps are free to download for iOS and Android. So be sure to take advantage and get your EuroMillions HotPicks tickets on mobile.
Can EuroMillions HotPicks numbers be selected manually?
Yes, when you play EuroMillions HotPicks, you can choose to either select your own numbers manually, or use a Quick Pick for random numbers.
If playing manually, you simply choose 5 numbers between 1 and 50 on your playslip, app, or online.
Some players like to select meaningful numbers like birthdays, ages, addresses, etc. Others prefer random Quick Picks.
Both methods have the same odds of winning. The choice comes down to personal preference. But you do have the option to manually pick your lucky EuroMillions HotPicks numbers.
How do you claim a EuroMillions HotPicks prize?
If you win a EuroMillions HotPicks prize, here is the process to claim your winnings:
- Check your ticket thoroughly against the official results to confirm you have a winning match. Double check the date, numbers, draw, barcode, and that you have the original ticket.
- Sign the back of the winning ticket for security.
- Keep your ticket safe – it’s your proof of purchase.
- Inform the lottery operator – either in-store, by phone, online, or via mail depending on the country.
- Complete the claim process required – paperwork, ID verification, in-person claim, etc.
- Provide your bank details so your prize can be deposited.
- Wait for the funds to clear in your account – this takes between 1-15 working days typically.
Be sure to follow the claiming steps carefully. Unclaimed prizes expire between 90 days and 5 years depending on the country.
Do EuroMillions HotPicks wins have tax deducted?
Yes, income tax is deducted from all major EuroMillions HotPicks prizes before winners receive their money.
The amount of tax varies by country:
- UK – 10% tax on prizes over £500.
- Ireland – 1% on winnings over €500.
- Belgium – 30% tax for residents.
- Portugal – 20% tax for prizes over €5,000.
- France – flat 12.8% tax on lottery winnings.
So your actual prize payout will be slightly less than the advertised amount due to taxes. But you still get to keep the majority of your windfall.
Smaller EuroMillions HotPicks prizes may not be taxed, so check the specific rules for each country.
Do you have to publicly claim a EuroMillions HotPicks win?
In most countries, you can choose to claim a EuroMillions HotPicks prize publicly and reveal your identity, or remain anonymous.
Exceptions are:
- Spain – big wins are automatically made public.
- Portugal – anonymity is not allowed.
- Belgium – anonymity is being phased out.
But in places like the UK and Ireland, you can opt to keep your identity secret, even for large £1 million prizes.
Choosing anonymity helps maintain your privacy and security. But going public gets you fame and publicity.
What are the biggest HotPicks winners spent their money on?
There are plenty of examples of how EuroMillions HotPicks jackpot winners have splashed the cash:
- Property – Luxury mansions, dream homes, holiday cottages.
- Travel – First class trips across the world, cruises, hotels.
- Cars – Flashy supercars like Lamborghinis and Ferraris.
- Shopping – Designer clothing, jewelry, electronics.
- Parties – Throwing lavish events for family and friends.
- Charity – Donating to causes close to their heart.
- Starting a business – Investing in entrepreneurial ideas.
- Early retirement – Giving up work to relax.
Winners tend to spend on big ticket luxuries as well as sharing with loved ones. £1 million gives you plenty of options!
What is the most common way to win EuroMillions HotPicks?
The most common EuroMillions HotPicks wins are for matching 2 numbers. This has odds of 1 in 49.
With millions of lines played, there are generally thousands of tickets that match 2 numbers in every draw. This wins a lucky dip entry for EuroMillions.
Lower tier HotPicks prizes for matching 2 and 3 numbers are far more frequent. Hitting the jackpot for all 5 is a huge long shot.
So little 2 number wins are the most likely way to win a HotPicks prize. Playing regularly helps increase your chances of landing this small but common prize.
Conclusion
EuroMillions HotPicks provides a fun and accessible way to win big from the main EuroMillions lottery results. While hitting the £1 million jackpot is unlikely, prizes are won every draw at various tiers. And there is always the hope and possibility of joining the list of mega HotPicks winners who have had their lives changed overnight. With low entry prices, good secondary prizes, and draws twice a week, EuroMillions HotPicks adds extra chances to win amidst the excitement and anticipation of the main EuroMillions draws.