Euro millions is a pan-european lottery that was initially launched on the 7th February 2004. It was devised and created by the company Camelot. On the evening of February 13th, 2004, the very first drawing took place in Paris. The first countries that started euro millions were Spain, France, and the United Kingdom. The success of the euro millions lottery was evident and inspired the additions of Austria, Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. They joined in October 8th 2004. Just 8 months after its creation. Euromillions has become the dominant lottery game in each of the respective countries it in which it is affiliated.

The drawings are held each friday evening. The drawings take place in Paris, France. The base ticket sales are ?2 per individual play. Countries that don't use the euro make the plays cost the rough relative equivalence in their own currency. In England a euro millions play would cost '1.50, and these prices are fixed rates per play. The jackpot is always provided by euromillions and the minor prizes are commonly given out by the local lottery companies that are affiliated with euromillions.

The euro millions lottery is played in a simple fashion. There are two sets of numbers, the main numbers and the lucky star numbers. Euromillions main numbers range from 1 to 50 and of these, 5 are picked. Out of the lucky star numbers there are two that are selected from one to nine as possible choices.

The chances of landing the jackpot are 1 in 76,275,360. Because of the high odds on winning the jackpot many people buy multiple tickets or join a lottery syndicate in order to decrease these odds and increase their winning chances. If there is no winner of the jackpot then the winnings are rolled over to the next week. On occasion the jackpot has rolled over to in excess of 70 million euros, which is approx '50 million pounds or $80 millions US dollars. These massive rollover jackpots have generated worldwide attention.

One aspect of the euro millions lottery that has created contension is a rule that has only recently been introduced this being the "roll back"this rule applies when the jackpot has rolled over for 11 consective weeks with no jackpot winner. The effect of this is that on the final week, if there is again no jackpot winner, then the jackpot prize is awarded and shared with the next tier down i.e. those people that have correctly matched the 4 main numbers and 2 lucky star numbers. The reason for this is to prevent the jackpots from growing to astronomical proportions. This is in many ways better for the lottery player as it means that on occasion when the "roll back" does occur players can get a share of the jackpot without having to get the 5 main and 2 lucky star numbers as is usually the situation. Therefore on a "roll back" week there is actually a better chance to win the jackpot.

The euromillions lottery has proven to be a mainstay and with the spreading influence of the euro it is growing faster than any other lottery in the world. With the massive rollover jackpots the euro millions draw has on offer it is sure to become increasingly popular attracting lottery players not just from within europe but from all corners of the world.

For more information go to : www.euro'millions.co.uk