The EuroMillions jackpot has reached a record-breaking €200 million, sparking a rush of ticket sales in Cork ahead of tomorrow night’s draw. While the odds of winning are extremely slim, many people are eager to dream big with a prize that would place them in the top 1% of the world’s wealthiest individuals.
Though some may see a €200 million jackpot as excessive, it has not stopped Cork residents from heading out to buy their tickets. If someone wins tomorrow night, it will mark the largest EuroMillions prize ever awarded in Ireland.
Since the EuroMillions game began in Ireland in 2004, 17 Irish players have won the jackpot. The current record for the biggest payout is €175 million, which was claimed in February 2019 when Reillys Daybreak in The Naul, Co. Dublin, sold the winning ticket.
The National Lottery is urging players to buy their tickets early, either in stores, through the National Lottery app, or online at www.lottery.ie, before the 7.30pm deadline on Friday.
So far this year, Ireland has seen nine winners of the EuroMillions Plus top prize of €500,000, with three winners collecting their prizes this week.
One of the winners, a man from Clare, traveled to Dublin to collect his €500,000 after winning the 4th March EuroMillions Plus draw. His winning ticket was purchased at Crowe’s Gala in Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare. His win came at a perfect time, as his car had recently broken down.
“I had forgotten to buy a ticket that day, so I asked my partner to get one. She wasn’t happy about it, but she sure was happy when I told her we won!” he said. The man plans to pay off his mortgage and buy a more reliable car.
A family syndicate from Dublin also won the EuroMillions Plus top prize of €500,000 in the 28th February draw. Their winning ticket was purchased at Spar on New Cabra Road, Dublin 7. The head of the syndicate, who checks the results every week, kept the good news to himself until he shared it with his family.
