Ireland Lotto rolls over for 5th time – January 16th 2012

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The Ireland Lotto jackpot keeps on climbing, with the top prize now estimated to be worth €4 million.

This payout has been rolling over since one lucky player got all six main numbers correct on December 31st – with the lucky lottery enthusiast taking home €4.1 million in time for the New Year.

The current jackpot is already estimated to be worth €4 million, but if nobody claims it on the next draw on Wednesday (January 18th) then it may exceed the New Years Eve payout.

Ireland Lotto history

Ireland Lotto grew out of the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes in 1988 and ever since its rebrand, the twice-weekly draw always starts its jackpots at €2 million with proceeds still going to good causes such as healthcare in the Irish Republic.

In July 2007, one lucky player claimed the draw’s largest-ever top prize of €16.2 million following months of rollovers.

Two-thirds of Ireland’s residents claim to have purchased lottery tickets especially for this particular game.

Ireland Lotto is no stranger to memorable draws, because in November 1991, it saw one of the highest ever numbers of top prize winners sharing a single payout, with 20 lottery ticket holders claiming a piece of the €2.9 million prize.

In November 1996, the lotto saw its second largest-ever jackpot of €9.5 million, which was shared between Mary and Paddy Kelly from Bailieborough in County Cavan and an anonymous player from County Meath.

Playing Ireland Lotto

Ireland Lotto is a tax-free draw, which means winners get to take home all of their winnings.

All cash prizes won in the Ireland Lotto are paid in lump sums and need to be claimed within 90 days of the draw in question.

The lotto operates in such a way that players choose six numbers between one and 45 and only requires these to be right to be in with a chance of landing the jackpot.

There is also a bonus number drawn in every game, which can lead to secondary prizes.

Ireland Lotto draws take place twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays and fans may be keen to try their luck by buying their lottery ticket online at theLotter.