EuroMillions vs Eurojackpot: which has better odds?
Odds
EuroMillions jackpot: 1 in 139,838,160. Eurojackpot jackpot: 1 in 139,838,160.
- 1 in 13.0any prize in EuroMillions, one ticket
- 1 in 31.8any prize in Eurojackpot, one ticket
- 1.0times easier, the easier of the first two jackpots
Jackpot Probability Structure
Both games share an identical jackpot probability. The lead shows each has the same chance for a top prize. This equality stems from matching number pools and selection counts. Five main numbers are drawn from fifty, and extra balls come from twelve. These parameters create the same mathematical space for both lotteries. Consequently, the difficulty of hitting the jackpot does not vary between them. Players face the same statistical hurdle regardless of which game they choose. The table below lists these shared structural elements alongside the specific odds for smaller prizes.
| Lottery | Format | Jackpot odds | Any prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| EuroMillions | 5 of 50 + 2 of 12 | 1 in 139,838,160 | 1 in 13.0 |
| Eurojackpot | 5 of 50 + 2 of 12 | 1 in 139,838,160 | 1 in 31.8 |
Frequency of Secondary Prizes
Secondary prize frequency distinguishes the two games. EuroMillions offers any prize more often than Eurojackpot does. The key figures show EuroMillions wins occur roughly twice as frequently per ticket. This difference arises from how lower tiers are defined and awarded. Eurojackpot requires matching more numbers to qualify for its smallest prizes. As a result, fewer tickets win anything at all. The table above confirms this gap in win rates. If frequent small wins matter to you, EuroMillions provides them more often. This does not change the jackpot odds, only the consolation prizes.
Value Beyond Probability
Better odds do not guarantee better returns. A higher frequency of small wins does not offset the low jackpot chance. Both games return less than their ticket cost on average. This expected value remains negative for both options. Choosing the game with more frequent small prizes does not improve long-term profitability. It simply changes the distribution of losses and wins. Every combination has the same chance. If gambling stops being fun, free help is available via support resources.
Questions
Which lottery has better jackpot odds?
Both EuroMillions and Eurojackpot have identical jackpot odds. The number pools and selection rules are the same. Neither game is easier to win the top prize.
Which game pays out more often?
EuroMillions pays out smaller prizes more frequently than Eurojackpot. The key figures show a higher chance of winning any prize per ticket in EuroMillions.
Does winning more often mean better value?
No. Frequent small wins do not improve expected value. Both games return less than their cost on average. Probability alone does not determine financial worth.
Every figure on this page is computed by code from each game's official format, with exact combinatorics checked by an independent simulation. See the methodology.