Ever wondered how many people play EuroMillions each week? You’re not alone. It’s a question that comes up whenever big prizes make the headlines.
EuroMillions draws attract players across the UK and other participating countries, with millions taking part. Some choose their own numbers, while others opt for a Lucky Dip.
If you want a clear picture of how many entries go in, how tickets are bought, and what those totals actually mean, you’re in the right place.
How Many People Enter EuroMillions Draws?
Each draw attracts millions of entries. In the UK, research by The National Lottery indicates that around 6 to 8 million lines are entered for a typical Friday draw. A line is a single set of numbers. One person can enter several lines, so the number of individuals is lower than the number of lines.
Participation rises and falls across the year. When jackpots grow, particularly beyond £100 million, more lines are usually entered. Superdraws, when the jackpot is increased to a set amount, bring the largest spikes.
EuroMillions runs across nine European countries, so the total grows quickly once all markets are included. When the jackpot reached its cap in October 2023, for example, more than 43 million lines were entered across Europe. That scale gives useful context for what follows.
So what does that look like at the till or online checkout when people actually buy tickets?
How Many Tickets Are Sold Each Draw?
On an ordinary week, the UK sees several million tickets sold for each draw. Sales reflect how attractive the jackpot is at the time, with notable jumps when prize funds build. Superdraws reliably produce the busiest periods of the year.
As noted earlier, figures relate to the number of lines entered rather than unique buyers. When jackpots approach the upper limits, combined sales from all participating countries can push past 40 million lines in a single draw.
Whether a ticket is bought online or in a shop, every valid line goes into the same draw pool. That consistency matters when looking at where people choose to play.
How Many Players Buy Tickets Online Versus In Shops?
UK players now split their purchases between digital and retail in roughly equal measure, according to the lottery operator. The online share has grown since 2020, helped by easier access through websites and apps.
Buying in shops remains common. Many still prefer using cash or having a paper ticket from a local newsagent or supermarket. Age often plays a part too, with younger players leaning towards mobile, while older players are more likely to keep using stores.
Both routes allow one-off entries or setting up several weeks in advance, and both are entered into the same draw system. Beyond where you buy, how you enter can change the numbers that appear in participation reports.
How Do Syndicates And Multiple Entries Affect Entry Numbers?
Syndicates are groups that pool money to buy tickets together and share any prizes. Families, friends and colleagues often set them up for convenience and cost-sharing. Each line a syndicate buys counts as one entry, no matter how many people are in the group.
Playing multiple lines on your own works the same way. Five lines on a single ticket means five separate entries in that draw. This is why participation reports are higher than the number of individual players. For example, a team of ten colleagues buying twenty lines contributes twenty entries, and a single player buying five lines contributes five.
All of this means published totals reflect entries, not headcounts. Which leads to a practical question about how those entries are recorded.
How Are EuroMillions Entries Counted?
Every line is a distinct entry. Whether a player picks numbers or uses a Lucky Dip, each line is captured by the central system before the draw. Buy one ticket with five lines and you have five entries. Buy online or in a shop and the lines are treated the same.
For group play, the system records the volume of lines purchased, not the number of participants. These line totals feed into official reports and help determine prize allocations and whether jackpots roll to the next draw.
Understanding that structure makes the headline figures easier to read. Millions of lines each week, bigger peaks when jackpots grow, and a steady split between online and in-store buying. If gambling stops being enjoyable, support and practical tools are available through UK-based services such as deposit limits and self-exclusion.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.