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EuroMillions is one of the largest and most trusted lotteries in Europe, with millions of players joining every week. But who actually owns and operates it? Many people think it’s run by one company, but that’s not the case. EuroMillions is managed by official national lottery operators in nine European countries, working together under one shared system.
Let’s break down how EuroMillions works, who runs it, and why it’s so successful.
What Is EuroMillions and How Does It Work?
EuroMillions launched in February 2004 as a transnational lottery. Instead of being limited to one country, it connects multiple European nations into one massive game.
- Players pick five numbers from 1 to 50 and two Lucky Star numbers from 1 to 12.
- To win the jackpot, all seven numbers must match the drawn numbers.
- Draws are held every Tuesday and Friday evening.
The jackpots start at €17 million and can grow beyond €200 million, thanks to pooled ticket sales from all participating countries.
Who Operates EuroMillions?
EuroMillions doesn’t belong to one private company. Instead, it is jointly operated by official lottery organizations from each participating country.
Each EuroMillions operator:
- Sells tickets in their country.
- Manages marketing and prize payouts.
- Works under shared rules and schedules to keep the game fair.
This cooperation allows the lottery to stay transparent and build trust across borders.
The First EuroMillions Operators
When EuroMillions started, only three national lotteries ran the game:
- Française des Jeux (FDJ) – France
- Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (SELAE) – Spain
- Camelot Group – United Kingdom (until 2023)
As the lottery became popular, more countries joined in the following years.
Which Countries Operate EuroMillions Today?
Today, nine European countries participate in EuroMillions. Each has its own official operator:
- Austria – Österreichische Lotterien
- Belgium – Nationale Loterij / Loterie Nationale
- France – Française des Jeux (FDJ)
- Ireland – Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI)
- Luxembourg – Loterie Nationale Luxembourg
- Portugal – Jogos Santa Casa
- Spain – Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (SELAE)
- Switzerland – Swisslos & Loterie Romande
- United Kingdom – Allwyn UK (since 2024, replacing Camelot)
Each of these operators sells tickets, runs promotions, and pays prizes locally, while all of them work together for the main draws and shared jackpot pool.
Where Are EuroMillions Draws Held?
All draws take place in Paris, France, under strict supervision. Officials from every participating country attend these draws to ensure fairness.
By pooling ticket sales and following strict processes, EuroMillions can offer huge jackpots while keeping the game transparent and secure.
Is EuroMillions Government-Owned?
In most countries, EuroMillions operators are state-owned or heavily regulated by governments.
- SELAE (Spain) is fully owned by the Spanish government.
- FDJ (France) is partly government-owned.
- Allwyn UK (managing the UK lottery since 2024) is a private company but regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.
This model keeps the lottery accountable, trustworthy, and fair for players.
Why Is EuroMillions So Successful?
EuroMillions works so well because of its unique structure:
- International cooperation for huge jackpots.
- Local flexibility for marketing, payment options, and customer support.
- Unified gameplay rules for fairness across all countries.
This balance allows EuroMillions to feel both local and global, making it one of Europe’s most popular lotteries.
Conclusion
So, who owns EuroMillions? The truth is no single company owns it. Instead, it’s managed by a network of national lottery operators from nine countries.
This cooperative system allows EuroMillions to offer massive jackpots, keep the game transparent, and build strong player trust.
That’s why EuroMillions remains one of the biggest and most successful lotteries in the world and it’s only getting bigger.
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