{"id":6420,"date":"2026-01-17T04:25:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T04:25:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.xolotto.com\/blog\/?p=6420"},"modified":"2026-04-07T08:10:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:10:27","slug":"euromillions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xolotto.com\/blog\/euromillions\/","title":{"rendered":"EuroMillions: How Canadians Can Play & Win"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

EuroMillions gives Canadians access to Europe’s biggest lottery\u2014jackpots can reach \u20ac250 million (over CAD $370 million). Through XO Lotto<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is This Lottery?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draws take place twice weekly\u2014every 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 \u20ac17 million and can roll over up to an eye-watering \u20ac250 million cap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For context, that \u20ac250 million maximum converts to roughly CAD $370 million<\/strong>\u2014significantly larger than most Lotto Max<\/a> jackpots and competitive with the biggest Powerball<\/a> and Mega Millions<\/a> prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feature<\/th>Details<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Launched<\/strong><\/td>February 2004<\/td><\/tr>
Participating Countries<\/strong><\/td>9 (UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland)<\/td><\/tr>
Draw Days<\/strong><\/td>Tuesday & Friday<\/td><\/tr>
Draw Time<\/strong><\/td>8:45 PM CET (2:45 PM ET)<\/td><\/tr>
Minimum Jackpot<\/strong><\/td>\u20ac17 million<\/td><\/tr>
Maximum Jackpot<\/strong><\/td>\u20ac250 million (~$370M CAD)<\/td><\/tr>
Ticket Price<\/strong><\/td>\u20ac2.50 (varies by country)<\/td><\/tr>
Odds of Jackpot<\/strong><\/td>1 in 139,838,160<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to Play EuroMillions from Canada<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"XO<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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

Step 1: Create Your XO Lotto Account<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sign up at XO Lotto<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Select the Lottery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Navigate to the EuroMillions page<\/a> in the Lotteries section<\/a>. You’ll see the current jackpot amount and countdown to the next draw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Choose Your Numbers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pick 5 main numbers<\/strong> from 1-50, plus 2 Lucky Stars<\/strong> from 1-12. You can select your own numbers or use Quick Pick for a random selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4: Confirm Your Entry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 5: Check Results & Collect Winnings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Results<\/a> are posted immediately after each draw. If you win, prizes are automatically credited to your XO Lotto account. Withdraw via Interac e-Transfer\u2014typically within 24-48 hours for most prize amounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get your ticket now \u2192<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the Numbers Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the format helps you appreciate both the gameplay and why the odds produce such massive jackpots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Number Selection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The game uses a 5\/50 + 2\/12<\/strong> format:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Main Numbers:<\/strong> Select 5 numbers from a pool of 1-50<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Lucky Stars:<\/strong> Select 2 numbers from a pool of 1-12<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Lucky Stars Difference<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \"EuroMillions<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    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\u2014and therefore the potential jackpot size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    EuroMillions Odds and Prize Tiers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Match<\/th>Odds<\/th>Approximate Prize<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    5 + 2 Lucky Stars<\/td>1 in 139,838,160<\/td>Jackpot (\u20ac17M-\u20ac250M)<\/td><\/tr>
    5 + 1 Lucky Star<\/td>1 in 6,991,908<\/td>\u20ac300,000+<\/td><\/tr>
    5 + 0 Lucky Stars<\/td>1 in 3,107,515<\/td>\u20ac50,000+<\/td><\/tr>
    4 + 2 Lucky Stars<\/td>1 in 621,503<\/td>\u20ac3,000+<\/td><\/tr>
    4 + 1 Lucky Star<\/td>1 in 31,076<\/td>\u20ac150+<\/td><\/tr>
    3 + 2 Lucky Stars<\/td>1 in 14,126<\/td>\u20ac75+<\/td><\/tr>
    4 + 0 Lucky Stars<\/td>1 in 13,812<\/td>\u20ac50+<\/td><\/tr>
    2 + 2 Lucky Stars<\/td>1 in 986<\/td>\u20ac15+<\/td><\/tr>
    3 + 1 Lucky Star<\/td>1 in 707<\/td>\u20ac12+<\/td><\/tr>
    3 + 0 Lucky Stars<\/td>1 in 314<\/td>\u20ac10+<\/td><\/tr>
    1 + 2 Lucky Stars<\/td>1 in 188<\/td>\u20ac8+<\/td><\/tr>
    2 + 1 Lucky Star<\/td>1 in 50<\/td>\u20ac6+<\/td><\/tr>
    2 + 0 Lucky Stars<\/td>1 in 22<\/td>\u20ac4<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    *Prize amounts vary based on ticket sales and number of winners in each tier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Your Overall Odds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Your overall odds of winning any prize are approximately 1 in 13<\/strong>. That’s actually better than many North American lotteries:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Lottery<\/th>Odds of Any Prize<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Lotto Max<\/td>1 in 7 \u2713 Best<\/td><\/tr>
    EuroMillions<\/td>1 in 13<\/td><\/tr>
    Mega Millions<\/td>1 in 24<\/td><\/tr>
    Powerball<\/td>1 in 25<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Comparing International Lotteries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    How does the euro millions stack up against other major lotteries available to Canadian players? Here’s a direct comparison:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Feature<\/th>EuroMillions<\/th>Powerball<\/th>Mega Millions<\/th>Lotto Max<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Max Jackpot<\/td>\u20ac250M (~$370M CAD)<\/td>No cap (record $2.04B)<\/td>No cap (record $1.6B)<\/td>$80M CAD<\/td><\/tr>
    Starting Jackpot<\/td>\u20ac17M<\/td>$20M USD<\/td>$20M USD<\/td>$10M CAD<\/td><\/tr>
    Jackpot Odds<\/td>1 in 139.8M \u2713<\/td>1 in 292.2M<\/td>1 in 302.6M<\/td>1 in 33.3M \u2713<\/td><\/tr>
    Prize Tiers<\/td>13<\/td>9<\/td>9<\/td>7<\/td><\/tr>
    Draw Days<\/td>Tue, Fri<\/td>Mon, Wed, Sat<\/td>Tue, Fri<\/td>Tue, Fri<\/td><\/tr>
    Tax (Canada)<\/td>None \u2713<\/td>None*<\/td>None*<\/td>None<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    *US lottery winnings are tax-free for Canadian residents under the Canada-US tax treaty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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