When it comes to lotteries: “Massive” is the new “big.”
Being a millionaire is certainly an opportunity to live a carefree lifestyle. But who are we kidding! A million dollars isn’t what it used to be. “Big” lottery jackpots 20 years ago seemed massive at the time – but an identically quoted jackpot nowadays might come off as rather pedestrian. A secondary prize if you will.
We can point at inflation as one reason why this is true. But we can also point at the lotteries themselves. The largest of lottery jackpots in the world aren’t just “bigger” today. Frankly they are humungous. How did this happen?
May the odds be ever in Your Favour
Jackpot hunting isn’t easy. There’s a reason we aren’t all lottery millionaires. Where I grew up, winning the lottery meant picking 6 numbers correctly from a field of 1 to 49. Difficult certainly– but there was an attractive prize attached to the end of the rainbows that made the flutter of possibility worth the entertainment. Lotteries like this still exist – Today’s Irish Lotto and Australian 6/45 have even more favourable odds of winning the jackpot and newly minted multi-millionaires are regularly anointed.
But if we are looking for staggeringly massive modern-day jackpots with longer odds, there are two clear directions to look. In America, we find American Powerball as the lottery champion. Across the Atlantic, we find Euromillions regularly awarding nine-figure jackpots. These are two of the biggest lotteries in the world.
These jackpots are statistically more difficult to win. Offsetting the higher level of difficulty is the enormous prizing,
How are American Powerball and Euromillions similar? Where are the differences? And which is the better choice to play? Let’s find out.
Gameplay
American Powerball: 5/69 + 1/26 format
Players choose five numbers from a pool of 69 white balls and one additional “Powerball” number from a separate pool of 26 red balls. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls and the Powerball.
Euromillions: 5/50 + 2/12 format
Players select five numbers from a range of 1 to 50 and two additional “Lucky Star” numbers from a pool of 1 to 12. To win the jackpot, players must match all five main numbers and both Lucky Star numbers.
Jackpots
American Powerball:
Known for its colossal jackpots, American Powerball holds the record for the largest lottery jackpot ever awarded—staggering at over US$2 billion. The minimum starting jackpot is $20 million, and it continues to grow until it is won.
Euromillions:
Euromillions also offers impressive jackpots, with a record jackpot of €230 million awarded in July, 2022. The minimum starting jackpot is €17 million, before accumulating to significant amounts in subsequent draws.
Odds of Winning
American Powerball:
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are approximately 1 in 292 million. The overall odds of winning any prize in Powerball are about 1 in 25.
Euromillions:
The odds of winning the Euromillions jackpot are roughly 1 in 139 million. The overall odds of winning any prize in Euromillions are approximately 1 in 13.
Secondary Prizes
American Powerball:
Powerball offers various secondary prizes, ranging from a few dollars to millions, depending on the number of matched numbers. There are nine prize tiers in total.
Euromillions:
Euromillions also provides multiple secondary prizes, with 13 prize tiers. The amounts vary based on the number of matched numbers and Lucky Star numbers.
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The odds of winning the American Powerball jackpot are longer than those of Euromillions. However, both lotteries have challenging odds, reflecting the massive jackpot potential. Somebody in the game is going to win. Both games offer enormous jackpots, and the potential to change lives overnight. Both lotteries offer multiple secondary prizes, providing additional winning opportunities beyond the jackpot.
At their highest, these jackpots generate intense media buzz and consumer attention. Ticket sales climb exponentially. Humungous grand prizes benefit the winner for certain, but also benefit the lotteries themselves with all the extra promotion and attention.
The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preferences Or does it?
Some of us today can walk up to the corner store to buy one game or the other. Nobody has the same luxury to buy both.
Some would argue that the greater luxury would be the convenience that international players can find on their computer, tablet or mobile device at LottoExpress.com.
At LottoExpress.com, consumers have access to the biggest international lotteries and can purchase tickets with ease in a safe and secure environment. When choosing your lottery plays, don’t forget to check the jackpots across the pond.
What would you do if you won a prize amount larger than the GDP of Belize? It’s possible to find out.
Good luck!
