Explaining the new Euromillions €250 million cap

Recently, the Euromillions lottery has made a major change by setting a maximum for their jackpot which now is € 250 million. But what exactly does that mean?

The steps below summarise what happens in the draws following the activation of the EuroMillions cap. Select a step to view more details about what happens at that stage in the process.

Draw 1 – cap is hit

The jackpot hits the €250 Million cap. Any funds that would usually go towards topping up the jackpot are instead shared by players in the next winning tier.

Draw 2 – first rollover

The €250 Million jackpot doesn’t get bigger, as it would if it rolled over before hitting the cap. Extra funds are again diverted to a lower prize tier.

Draw 3 – second rollover

Proceeds as per draw two. At this point there will likely be many winners in the 5+1 prize tier, but the prize money will also be much higher than usual.

Draw 4 – third rollover

This is the penultimate draw at the cap. If the jackpot doesn’t get won in this draw a Must Be Won draw will take place in the next one.

Draw 5 – Must be won draw

This is a ‘Must Be Won’ draw. If any players match five numbers plus both Lucky Stars, they will win the jackpot as normal, but if no one manages that, the entire €250 Million prize will be shared by the winners in the next tier below.

Draw 6 – jackpot resets

The jackpot resets to its €17 million (£15 million) starting value and the next rollover series begins. The jackpot cap had previously been raised by €10 million after each win, but it is now set at its final value of €250 million.

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