Comparison · Strategy
EuroJackpot vs. EuroMillions: Better Odds or Bigger Prizes?
Published
EuroJackpot is generally the better choice for lower ticket costs, stronger jackpot odds, and higher expected value per euro spent. EuroMillions is better for larger jackpot ceilings and more frequent small prizes. The right lottery depends on whether you prioritize value and odds or maximum prizes and win frequency.
EuroJackpot and EuroMillions are the two European lotteries most players compare. EuroMillions wins on jackpot ceiling. EuroJackpot wins on odds and ticket price. Neither is universally superior—the right choice depends on what you optimize for.
This article covers every dimension that matters: tier-by-tier odds, ticket costs, expected value per euro, jackpot caps and rollover rules, tax treatment by country, and a verdict for each player type.
EuroJackpot or EuroMillions: Which Is Better?
Factor EuroJackpot EuroMillions Winner
Jackpot odds 1 in 95,344,200 1 in 139,838,160 EuroJackpot
Ticket price €2.00 €2.50 EuroJackpot
Jackpot cap €120M €250M EuroMillions
Prize tiers 12 13 EuroMillions
Any-prize odds 1 in 26 1 in 13 EuroMillions
Net EV per €1 spent (typical) ~€0.44 ~€0.39 EuroJackpot
Best for jackpot hunters — ✓ EuroMillions
Best for value and odds players ✓ — EuroJackpot
How Do EuroJackpot and EuroMillions Odds Compare?
EuroJackpot (5+2 from 50/12) has 12 tiers; EuroMillions (5+2 from 50/12) has 13. The headline jackpot odds—1 in 95.3M vs. 1 in 139.8M—make EuroJackpot approximately 47% easier to win.
However, EuroMillions wins on any-prize frequency: 1 in 13 vs. 1 in 26. Small wins come twice as often. Much of that advantage comes from EuroMillions' Tier 13 (2+0, ~€4 payout), which is barely above the ticket price. Strip out below-cost prizes, and the gap narrows.
In the upper-middle tiers, EuroJackpot pays more in absolute terms. Tier 3 (5+0) typically pays ~€100,000 on EuroJackpot vs. €20,000–50,000 on EuroMillions. For five- or six-figure ambitions, EuroJackpot's structure is more generous.
Which Lottery Has Better Expected Value?
The most useful comparison is at jackpot levels both games regularly reach—around €50–70M.
Metric EuroJackpot (€60M) EuroMillions (€60M)
Ticket price €2.00 €2.50
Net EV per ticket ~€0.88 ~€0.97
Net EV per €1 spent ~€0.44 ~€0.39
EuroMillions has a higher per-ticket EV because its higher ticket price feeds larger prize pools, but EuroJackpot delivers more EV per euro spent. The €0.50 ticket-price gap compounds with every draw.
The exception occurs when EuroMillions approaches its €250M cap—a level EuroJackpot can never reach. Its per-ticket EV can then rise enough to offset the price disadvantage. When EuroMillions jackpots reach €200M or more, the per-euro comparison becomes close. See lottery expected value for the full method.
How Do Jackpot Caps and Rollover Rules Differ?
EuroJackpot: €120M Cap and No Must-Be-Won Draw
Once the jackpot reaches €120M, it stays at €120M for subsequent draws until someone wins. Ticket sales keep climbing, so the split risk grows week over week while the jackpot remains at the cap.
EuroMillions: €250M Cap and Must-Be-Won Draws
At the cap, EuroMillions mandates distribution to the highest tier with winners—even Match 5+1 can claim the jackpot. Must-be-won draws attract substantial additional sales, increasing the split risk across every tier. A rollover-count cap of 25 draws also triggers a must-be-won draw.
Implication: EuroMillions can deliver jackpots twice as large, but you pay for them through more high-traffic, must-be-won draws.
How Are EuroJackpot and EuroMillions Winnings Taxed?
Country EuroJackpot EuroMillions
Germany Tax-free Tax-free
Netherlands Tax-free Tax-free
UK Tax-free Tax-free
Finland Tax-free Tax-free
Spain 20% above €40,000 20% above €40,000
Italy 20% above €500 20% above €500
Poland 10% 10%
France Tax-free Tax-free
Always apply your jurisdiction's net factor before calculating EV.
Which Lottery Is Best for Each Player Type?
The Jackpot Hunter → EuroMillions. It is the only game that reaches €200M or more. Play above €100M.
The Odds Optimizer → EuroJackpot. The jackpot odds are 47% better. With the lower ticket price, a €10-per-week budget buys five EuroJackpot tickets vs. four EuroMillions tickets—nearly doubling the jackpot probability.
The Value Player → EuroJackpot, in most weeks. It offers better net EV per euro at every jackpot level below EuroMillions' cap territory.
The Frequent-Win Player → EuroMillions. Any-prize odds of 1 in 13 vs. 1 in 26.
The Rollover Watcher → Both. Follow the live EV leaderboard and play whichever game leads that week.
Should You Play Both Lotteries?
Both EuroJackpot and EuroMillions hold draws on Tuesdays and Fridays. Playing one ticket for each lottery on every draw day costs €9.00 per week and provides exposure to both jackpot pools, tier structures, and rollover trajectories.
This approach does not improve the underlying odds—it diversifies your entertainment spending across two European lotteries with strong jackpot-to-odds profiles. Whether it is worthwhile depends on your EV threshold and weekly budget.
How Can You Compare Both with Live AI Analysis?
Open the live EV leaderboard →
Compare jackpots, net EV, split-risk ratings, and AI-generated tickets for whichever game you choose this week. The data is updated within hours of every draw. No account is required.
We update this comparison every week: Best lottery this week shows which game currently has the strongest ratio.
Related: Lottery expected value · How LotteryCortex works · EuroJackpot live data · EuroMillions live data
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