TONIGHT’S LOTTO jackpot will be the biggest in the game’s history, with officials predicting punters will be vying for some €17 million.
The prize fund has rolled over for 15 consecutive draws since May 3rd, making it the highest single total since the game’s inception 20 years ago.
If the National Lottery’s €17 million estimate proves to be correct, it will surpass the €16 million won by the Cunningham family from Co Cork in July last year.
Despite the odds of claiming the jackpot being more than eight million to one, the National Lottery is predicting that “over 60 per cent of the population plays – that means that every household in Ireland will have a ticket”.
For those sceptical of the lottery system, tonight’s draw does represent good value.
Working on the basis that each pick in the jackpot costs €1.50, the draw represents fair value when it is going to pay more than €12 million, which has become a more frequent occurrence since Lotto organisers increased the numbers on the lotto ticket to 45.
The biggest National Lottery win so far this year was on April 26th, when a jackpot of €15,658,143 was banked by a single winner. The prize was eventually claimed by a Dublin family who purchased their ticket in Rowlagh News in Clondalkin, Dublin.
It is predicted that about 3,000 people will buy one line for the draw every minute after 6pm this evening. The National Lottery is urging punters to buy their tickets early to avoid the expected queues that will develop in the period building up to the 7.45pm ticket deadline.
Joe Kavanagh of Scribbles newsagent in Drumcondra, Dublin, said Lotto-related footfall has been heavy in recent days but “it always is when the jackpot gets to this level”.
“People are inclined to throw more money at a bigger jackpot and, for example, those who normally buy four lines have been buying six ahead of this.”
