EuroMillions: How Canadians Can Play & Win

EuroMillions gives Canadians access to Europe’s biggest lottery—jackpots can reach €250 million (over CAD $370 million). Through XO Lotto, you can buy tickets online and collect winnings tax-free. This guide covers how to play from Canada, your odds, and what happens when you win.

What Is This Lottery?

This transnational european lottery is played across nine countries: the UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, and Switzerland. Launched in 2004, it’s become one of the world’s largest lotteries with jackpots that dwarf most North American games.

Draws take place twice weekly—every Tuesday and Friday at 8:45 PM CET (2:45 PM Eastern Time for Canadians). What makes this euro millions game special is its jackpot structure: prizes start at €17 million and can roll over up to an eye-watering €250 million cap.

For context, that €250 million maximum converts to roughly CAD $370 million—significantly larger than most Lotto Max jackpots and competitive with the biggest Powerball and Mega Millions prizes.

How to Play EuroMillions from Canada

This lottery isn’t sold through Canadian retailers, but Canadians can absolutely play through licensed online services like XO Lotto. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Create Your XO Lotto Account

Sign up at XO Lotto takes under two minutes. You’ll need to verify you’re 19+ (the legal age for lottery play in most Canadian provinces) and provide basic contact information.

Step 2: Select the Lottery

Navigate to the EuroMillions page in the Lotteries section. You’ll see the current jackpot amount and countdown to the next draw.

Step 3: Choose Your Numbers

Pick 5 main numbers from 1-50, plus 2 Lucky Stars from 1-12. You can select your own numbers or use Quick Pick for a random selection.

Step 4: Confirm Your Entry

Review your numbers, select how many draws you want to enter (single draw or subscription), and complete your purchase using Interac, credit card, or other Canadian payment methods.

Step 5: Check Results & Collect Winnings

Results are posted immediately after each draw. If you win, prizes are automatically credited to your XO Lotto account. Withdraw via Interac e-Transfer—typically within 24-48 hours for most prize amounts.

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How the Numbers Work

Understanding the format helps you appreciate both the gameplay and why the odds produce such massive jackpots.

The Number Selection

The game uses a 5/50 + 2/12 format:

• Main Numbers: Select 5 numbers from a pool of 1-50
• Lucky Stars: Select 2 numbers from a pool of 1-12

To win the jackpot, you must match all 5 main numbers AND both Lucky Stars. The two separate pools create the astronomical odds that allow prizes to grow so large.

The Lucky Stars Difference

The Lucky Stars are what set this euromillions lottery apart from simpler formats. While games like Lotto Max use a single number pool, the dual-pool system dramatically increases the number of possible combinations—and therefore the potential jackpot size.

Think of it this way: matching 5 numbers from 50 gives you odds of about 1 in 2.1 million. Adding the Lucky Stars requirement multiplies that to 1 in 139.8 million.

EuroMillions Odds and Prize Tiers

The lottery offers 13 different prize tiers, meaning you can win without matching every number. Understanding these odds can help you develop your lottery strategy.

*Prize amounts vary based on ticket sales and number of winners in each tier.

Your Overall Odds

Your overall odds of winning any prize are approximately 1 in 13. That’s actually better than many North American lotteries:

While Lotto Max offers better odds of winning something, the larger jackpot potential and 13 prize tiers make this european lottery attractive for players chasing life-changing prizes.

Comparing International Lotteries

How does the euro millions stack up against other major lotteries available to Canadian players? Here’s a direct comparison:

*US lottery winnings are tax-free for Canadian residents under the Canada-US tax treaty.

Why Choose This Lottery?

Better jackpot odds than US lotteries. At 1 in 139.8 million, your jackpot odds are roughly twice as good as Powerball (1 in 292M) or Mega Millions (1 in 302M).

Massive guaranteed minimum. Every jackpot starts at €17 million—no waiting for rollovers to build up prize pools.

More ways to win. With 13 prize tiers compared to 9 for US lotteries, you have more opportunities to walk away with something.

Tax-free for Canadians. Canadian lottery winnings aren't subject to income tax. Learn more about taxes on lottery winnings in Canada.

Explore all international lotteries available at XO Lotto including Powerball and Mega Millions.

Superdraws and Special Events

Beyond regular draws, the lottery runs special events that create even larger prize pools:

Superdraws

Superdraws are announced several times per year, typically around major holidays or special occasions. During a Superdraw, the jackpot is guaranteed at a specific amount—often €130 million or higher—regardless of ticket sales or previous rollovers.

Event Draws

Occasionally, themed events run with boosted prizes or additional prize tiers. These are announced in advance and often coincide with celebrations across participating countries.

The €250 Million Cap

When the jackpot reaches its €250 million cap, it can stay at that level for up to four additional draws. If no one wins after five draws at the cap, the prize "rolls down" to the next prize tier, creating massive secondary prizes.

The largest euromillions jackpot ever won was €230 million, claimed by a UK ticket holder in July 2022.

Biggest Winners

This lottery has created some of Europe's wealthiest winners. Here are the record-breaking jackpots:

These winners all became instant multi-hundred-millionaires (in CAD terms, we're talking $300-$340 million+). And thanks to the prize structure, winners receive their full amount—no annuity options or reduced lump sums.

For more lottery winner stories, check out our guides to Powerball winners and Mega Millions winners, or explore Canadian lottery winners.

Results and Draw Schedule

Draws take place twice weekly:

• Tuesday draws: 8:45 PM CET (2:45 PM Eastern, 11:45 AM Pacific)
• Friday draws: 8:45 PM CET (2:45 PM Eastern, 11:45 AM Pacific)

Results are typically available within minutes of the draw completing. You can check your numbers:

• On your XO Lotto account dashboard
• On the EuroMillions results page
• Through email notifications (if enabled in your account settings)

XO Lotto automatically checks your tickets and notifies you of any wins—no need to manually compare numbers.

Tax Implications for Canadian Winners

Here's excellent news for Canadian players: lottery winnings are not taxable income in Canada.

This applies whether you win $50 or $350 million. The Canada Revenue Agency treats lottery prizes as windfalls, not income. You won't owe federal or provincial tax on your winnings.

However, what you do with your winnings can create tax obligations:

• Investment income earned from your winnings (interest, dividends, capital gains) is taxable
• Gifts to family members may have tax implications for recipients
• Business ventures funded by winnings create normal business tax obligations

For any substantial win, consult with a tax professional and consider a financial advisor who specializes in sudden wealth. Our guide on taxes on lottery winnings in Canada covers this in more detail.

Strategies and Tips

While this is ultimately a game of chance, here are some evidence-based approaches players use:

1. Avoid Common Number Patterns

Many players choose birthdays (limiting selections to 1-31), lucky number 7, or sequential patterns. When these numbers hit, prizes are split among more winners. Spreading your selections across the full 1-50 range potentially means fewer co-winners.

2. Consider a Syndicate

Syndicates (group play) let you buy more number combinations without spending more individually. While you'd split any winnings, your odds of winning something improve significantly.

3. Play Consistently

Rather than buying many tickets for one draw, consider spreading your budget across multiple draws. This gives you more opportunities to match winning numbers.

4. Set a Budget and Stick to It

Lottery play should be entertainment, not a financial strategy. Decide what you can comfortably spend and don't exceed that amount. XO Lotto's responsible gaming tools let you set deposit limits and spending caps.

For more lottery strategy insights, explore our guide to lottery strategies that work.

How to Claim Winnings

Claiming your winnings through XO Lotto is straightforward:

Small Prizes (Under €10,000)

Automatically credited to your XO Lotto account balance. Withdraw anytime via Interac e-Transfer, bank transfer, or other available methods.

Medium Prizes (€10,000 - €100,000)

Credited to your account after verification. XO Lotto may request identity verification documents for larger prizes.

Major Prizes (€100,000+)

XO Lotto's dedicated customer support team will contact you directly to coordinate the claim process. Expect identity verification, potentially a video call, and coordination with the official lottery operator for prize payment.

All prizes are paid in your local currency (CAD) based on exchange rates at the time of processing. Typical processing time is 24-72 hours for smaller prizes and up to 14 days for major jackpots.

Start Playing EuroMillions Today

EuroMillions offers Canadian players something unique: access to Europe's biggest european lottery with jackpots up to €250 million, better odds than US mega-lotteries, and 13 chances to win in every draw.

Claim your EuroMillions ticket at XO Lotto →

With draws every Tuesday and Friday, secure Interac deposits, and tax-free winnings for Canadian residents, there's never been an easier way to play euromillions and chase Europe's biggest jackpots from anywhere in Canada.

FAQ

Related Guides:

• Powerball Canada: How to Play from Canada
• Mega Millions Canada: Complete Guide
• Canadian Lottery Winners: Biggest Jackpots

Play responsibly. Set limits that work for you. If you need support, visit XO Lotto's Responsible Gaming page.

Must be 19+ to play. For entertainment purposes only.

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