We would all love to be on the receiving end of a life-changing win come Lotto results day, but sadly it just isn’t possible. There is most definitely an element of luck involved. Ultimately, once you pick your numbers, you can’t really do anything else. It just depends on whether or not said luck is on your side.
Throughout history, lottery jackpots around the world have increased year on year. From the likes of China to the UK to Germany, the appeal of lotteries is huge. On a global scale, people simply can’t resist selecting a few numbers and salivating at the prospect of winning mega amounts of money after having spent a minuscule sum on a ticket. It requires little effort, no skill, and the reward for winning is pretty much impossible to match doing anything else.
Some people simply love the thrill of purchasing a ticket or staying loyal to a selection of numbers through thick and thin too. Whether or not they win is almost irrelevant. It’s about the buzz it creates and the feeling of knowing that a ridiculous amount of money could ultimately be theirs after simply choosing a few random numbers. For others, all things lottery related appeal too. Whether it’s through experiencing a lotto-themed slot game like Lotto Madness, playing some bingo or entering every lottery draw going, the entertainment it can provide is hugely tempting. It really is a global interest.
As such, the biggest and richest lotteries from around the globe have not only changed lives but also contributed a great deal towards society. Here is a look at some of them.
China Welfare Lottery
The China Welfare Lottery has raised an astonishing RMB310 billion for a variety of good causes since its inception in 1987. Supporting the elderly, disabled and a range of others throughout its history, the China Welfare Lottery is one of only two in the country and has changed a number of lives in its time. With every ticket sold, issues in the country are tackled.
EuroMillions
Launched in 2004, EuroMillions is a pan-European lottery that occurs weekly and is available to enter for participating country’s residents. People from Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland regularly purchase tickets in the hope of winning some truly huge sums of cash. The highest amount ever won in the EuroMillions was in February when a Swiss winner took home an astonishing 210 million euros.
El Gordo
The grand prize for all Spanish lotteries, El Gordo’s history dates back to 1812 when it was originally launched by the Spanish Public Administration. Since then, the national lottery has paid out vast sums of money. Previous winners have won 720 million euros in what is one of the biggest jackpots ever.
Powerball
After being brought to life in 1992, Powerball is regarded as being the main lottery game in the United States. Having sold in over 44 jurisdictions in what is a shared jackpot game, Powerball is steeped in history and offers strong competition given its reach across the country. Most advertising jackpots start at $20 million, but when without a winner, they can roll over into the hundreds of millions territory.
Spanish Christmas Lottery
We’ve already mentioned El Gordo, but the Spanish Christmas Lottery is regarded by many as being the biggest lottery of them all. With all tickets sold in 2006, the total payout made from the lottery was estimated to reach a staggering €2.142 billion, which is essentially 70% of the ticket sales made that year. That year, in particular, resulted in 180 winning tickets, with each player winning €3,000,000.