The millionaire raffle is a popular lottery game in Ireland that offers the chance to win a guaranteed €1 million top prize. Tickets for the millionaire raffle go on sale in the weeks leading up to the New Year’s Eve draw. With a million euro up for grabs, it’s no wonder that interest and ticket sales for the millionaire raffle are high each year. But how much does a millionaire raffle ticket actually cost? Let’s take a closer look at the pricing, rules, and chances of winning the top prize in this special Irish lottery game.
Cost of a Millionaire Raffle Ticket
A single millionaire raffle ticket costs €20. This makes it one of the more expensive National Lottery games in Ireland, but also one with the biggest potential payout. The high price point allows the National Lottery to offer a guaranteed €1 million prize for the raffle.
Only a set number of raffle tickets are printed for the game, generally around 120,000. Once all tickets sell out, no more are made available. This ensures that each ticket has an equal chance of winning the €1 million top prize. There are also tiered prizes ranging from €500 up to €20,000 for matching certain numbers.
Some key facts on millionaire raffle ticket pricing:
- Single ticket costs €20
- Limited to 120,000 tickets printed
- All top prizes guaranteed to be won
- Equal odds of winning €1 million
- Secondary tiered prizes up to €20,000
So for a shot at a guaranteed million euro jackpot, purchasing at least one €20 raffle ticket is required. Let’s look further at the game structure and odds of winning.
Rules and Odds of Winning
The millionaire raffle uses a standard raffle format where each ticket is printed with a unique number. This number gets entered into the draw to represent your ticket. Here are the key rules and odds for the game:
- Each ticket has a 6-digit number printed on it
- The raffle draw selects 7 winning numbers
- If your number matches the 7th number drawn, you win €1 million
- Odds of winning the €1m jackpot are 1 in 120,000
- Secondary prizes awarded for matches to 1st-6th numbers
- All top prizes guaranteed to be claimed
So in the raffle draw, 7 numbers are selected from the full range printed across all tickets sold. Whoever has the ticket matching the 7th number wins €1 million. The prior 6 numbers award lower tiered prizes.
With 120,000 tickets in play, your odds of winning the top prize are about 1 in 120,000. This makes the millionaire raffle one of the best shot formats for winning a large jackpot. The guaranteed million also sets it apart from other games.
Some additional things to know about the raffle structure:
- Draw held on New Year’s Eve
- Results announced shortly after 11pm
- Tickets sales stop once 120,000 are sold
- Unclaimed prizes rolled into future draws
So in summary, a €20 millionaire raffle ticket gives you a straightforward 1 in 120,000 chance at a guaranteed €1 million top prize. The defined rules and capped ticket sales make the odds of winning very transparent for players.
Buying Options and Locations
Millionaire raffle tickets can be purchased in the few weeks leading up to the New Year’s Eve draw each year. Here are the main options for buying raffle tickets:
- Online – Purchase directly on the National Lottery website or app
- Retailers – Buy at local National Lottery retailers around Ireland
- Phone – Call the National Lottery to purchase over the phone
- In person – Visit the National Lottery Dublin headquarters
Buying online is the easiest and most convenient choice for most. Tickets can be purchased right up until the time of the draw. Purchasing early ensures you get your desired ticket number and don’t miss out once the 120,000 max is hit.
Retailers that carry National Lottery games will also have millionaire raffle tickets available. This includes many convenience stores, news agents, petrol stations and supermarkets throughout the country. Look for the National Lottery logo to see where raffle tickets can be purchased locally.
Calling the phone hotline is another option for buying tickets. This may be preferred by some who don’t have internet access or mobility to get to a retailer. Tickets can also be purchased in person if you are able to visit the National Lottery headquarters in Dublin.
Some key facts on purchasing options:
- Online sales stop at 10:45 pm on draw night
- Cut-off at retailers is generally 9 pm
- Phone sales end at 8:30 pm
- Limited in-person sales on New Year’s Eve
So be sure to buy tickets in advance online or at local retailers before these cut-off times approach. The limited ticket pool often sells out completely prior to the draw, so don’t wait too long!
Claiming Prizes
For the lucky few who win a millionaire raffle top prize or secondary amount, claiming the winnings is straightforward. Here is the process:
- Check ticket after draw against winning numbers
- Sign and complete back of ticket for validation
- Contact National Lottery prize claims team
- Submit ticket in person at headquarters
- Provide ID and personal details
- Prize money transferred to bank account
Be sure to sign the winning ticket immediately and keep it very safe. Bring the validated ticket to National Lottery headquarters in person along with approved photo ID. This kicks off the prize claims process.
From there, the Lottery team will verify the win, collect mandatory tax and personal information, and arrange the prize transfer. For the €1 million amount, winners can choose to receive the full sum in one payment or spread across multiple annual installments.
It’s important to claim raffle prizes within 90 days of the draw. Be sure to check tickets closely against the published winning numbers and notify the Lottery team right away after a big win.
Winners and Notable Moments
The millionaire raffle has created many big Irish winners since debuting in 2006. Some notable raffle moments:
- First raffle draw held on New Year’s Eve 2006
- Game did not run in 2013
- Record raffle sales of 215,000 tickets in 2008
- 156 tickets shared the €1m prize in the 2019 draw
- Largest single winner claimed €1.8 million in 2011
- Average winners per draw is between 60-100 players
The game has awarded tens of millions in top prizes over the years. Some winners have been individual players, while syndicates and families have shared other jackpots. In 2019, a record 156 tickets split the €1 million prize evenly.
While not common, there have also been instances of unclaimed millionaire raffle prizes when no one came forward with the winning ticket. This has allowed the National Lottery to roll the funds over into future draws or special promotions.
Is the Millionaire Raffle Worth Playing?
For many lottery fans in Ireland, participating in the annual millionaire raffle is a holiday tradition. The guaranteed €1 million prize gives this game unique appeal compared to other National Lottery drawings. But is buying a raffle ticket actually worth it?
Here are some pros and cons to consider:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Guaranteed €1 million top prize | Lower secondary prize payouts |
| Straightforward odds of 1 in 120,000 | No rolling jackpot potential |
| Equal odds and set number of tickets | Typically sells out quickly |
| Purchase convenience | Only one draw per year |
| Prestige of Ireland’s biggest raffle | No multiplier options |
The defined €1 million jackpot gives the raffle notoriety and helps drive interest. And with the capped ticket pool, your odds of winning are very straightforward compared to other lottery games. But the flip side is that there is no rolling jackpot potential, and secondary prizes are quite small.
Many players are happy to spend €20 once a year for a shot at such a big raffle jackpot. But tickets do sell out quickly as the draw nears. The convenience of online and mobile purchasing makes entering the raffle easy. But there is no choice beyond buying a single ticket.
Overall, participating in the millionaire raffle comes down to personal preferences and budget. The guaranteed million is a huge draw for many. But buying a ticket is certainly not a requirement or obligation for all lottery fans.
History of the Millionaire Raffle
Ireland’s millionaire raffle has an interesting history since being introduced in 2006. Here are some key moments in the game’s evolution:
- Launched in November 2006 with 100,000 tickets
- Developed by An Post National Lottery Company
- Suspended from 2008-2010 due to economic downturn
- Relaunched in 2011 with a €1.8 million prize
- Did not run in 2013 but returned in 2014
- Taken over by Premier Lotteries Ireland in 2014
- Ticket price increased to €20 in 2015
- 120,000 became the standard ticket print run
The raffle debuted on New Year’s Eve 2006 as a special year-end draw. Its initial ticket allotment sold out quickly, hinting at the game’s future popularity.
After the financial crisis, the raffle was put on hold between 2009-2011. But player demand led to its return for the 2011 draw with an even bigger jackpot.
While the raffle took another break in 2013, it has run consecutively since 2014. Ticket pricing increased to the current €20 level at this time to help drive larger guaranteed prizes.
Today the raffle is a New Year’s tradition for many fans and often generates media buzz leading up to the results. The guaranteed €1 million prize has created some memorable Irish lottery winners.
How to Play Smart
The millionaire raffle may offer better odds than most big lotteries, but winning still requires a good amount of luck. Here are some tips to play the raffle responsibly and smart:
- Only use discretionary income – Don’t overspend on tickets
- Set a budget – €20-€40 is reasonable for most
- Buy early – Don’t wait until the last minute
- Claim winnings – Don’t miss the 90 day deadline
- Play with others – Join an office pool or syndicate
- Check carefully – Confirm numbers when checking tickets
- Play for fun – Treat it as entertainment, not investment
As with any form of gambling, play within your means and stick to budgets. Remember that millions of others are vying for the same €1 million prize. Playing in a group helps improve odds and share the experience.
Most importantly, have fun and don’t spend more than you can afford to lose! The millionaire raffle creates excitement over the holidays, no matter the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the Irish millionaire raffle:
Is there just one €1 million prize?
Yes, there is only a single guaranteed top prize of €1 million in each millionaire raffle draw. Whoever matches the 7th number drawn claims the full €1 million amount.
What are the secondary prize amounts?
Matching the first 6 numbers drawn awards set prizes from €500 up €20,000 based on the position. Only the ticket matching the 7th number can win the jackpot.
What is the ticket sale deadline?
Online and phone sales stop at 10:45 pm on the night of the draw. Retailer cut-off times vary but are generally around 9 pm. Tickets often sell out prior to the deadlines.
When do raffle sales begin each year?
Millionaire raffle tickets typically go on sale in early November, about 8 weeks prior to the New Year’s Eve draw. Sales continue until all 120,000 tickets are purchased.
How old do you need to be to play the millionaire raffle?
You must be 18 years or older to purchase National Lottery tickets and claim any prizes in Ireland. Players under 18 are not eligible to participate.
Where does the money for prizes come from?
The National Lottery funds prize amounts from total ticket sales revenue across its games. Approximately 50% of sales are returned as prizes.
Conclusion
The millionaire raffle provides a chance every year for Irish lottery players to win a massive guaranteed jackpot. While €20 tickets are pricy, the defined ticket pool and prize structure make it one of the most straightforward ways to play for €1 million. Selling out quickly, the raffle has created many big Irish winners since its 2006 debut. With sensible play, it can add extra excitement over the holidays for National Lottery fans across Ireland.
