VARIOUS: Rush to buy tickets as Europeans hoped to win 180 million euro Euromillions draw

Across Europe, people bought lottery tickets ahead of Friday's (November 17) 180 million euro EuroMillions draw. After the much-awaited draw, some 20 people across Europe were believed to have won and with no ticket matching the five winning numbers. The UK had the largest number of winners, followed by France, Portugal and Spain. In London, news agents saw an increase in trade as people dreamt of hitting the jackpot. Most hadn't even got as far as thinking what to do with the money. "Well I will probably go on holiday or move house, buy a house abroad but I haven't thought about it. I don't expect it." Others couldn't even imagine how to spend the full amount. "I haven't even, I really haven't thought that far ahead. It's so much money. You actually probably have to spread it around a lot. You can't spend 120 million" France last week had the highest number of sales, with the United Kingdom second. After 12 weeks and 11 rollovers, the colossal EuroMillions estimated jackpot must be won today. If no-one matches all five main numbers and two Lucky Star numbers to win the jackpot, then the amount will be shared between any winners in the next prize level in that draw. If the jackpot rolls down, then the odds of winning also change significantly. The odds of banking the jackpot are just over 76 million to one. But the odds of matching five main numbers and one Lucky Star number - the next prize level down - are under 5.5 million to one. In Switzerland, people were equally gripped by lottery fever. Some were more altruistic than others, saying they would give some of the money to charity. "If I win, I'll help a lot of people, because many people need it, it'll do good," said a woman at Geneva train station. "288 million? You have to manage to keep the money, know how to manage it. Maybe you can give some to charity for the planet, I don't know, things like that. Anyhow I don't think keeping it all for yourself is a good solution. It's an amount that can be shared, to help people do things. That's what I think. But first we need to win!" said another. In Brussels, Belgians were hoping they would be the one to win the world's biggest lottery payout. Although the chances of winning were remote, some lottery players remained optimistic and hoped winning would help them carry out their dreams. "I always play, you never know. Hope makes you live." said Coralie, one female player. "Pay my house and take a big vacation, I think." said Catherine, another lottery player when asked what she would do with the money if she won. Another player wanted the money for more altruistic reasons. "180 million? I will think a lot of my friends and do good around me." said Ivan. Bigger lottery jackpots have been previously offered in the US but the winners opted to receive smaller amounts in one-off payments instead of the full payment over time.

ITN Source | November 17, 2006

Tags:. .reasons. .remained. .station. .spend. .ill