IRISH punters have shared what they would do if they won the EuroMillions – as the jackpot sits at a staggering €250million.
National Lottery bosses are urging players to remember the 7.30pm cut-off time to buy tickets for this evening’s draw.
And this draw is extra special, as the jackpot is capped at €250million.
The EuroMillions jackpot hit the maximum cap on Friday, June 6 and cannot grow any further.
In a draw with a cap, any excess money that would usually be added to the jackpot will move down to the next prize level where there are winners.
If no one wins the breathtaking sum tonight, the jackpot will remain at €250million for up to two more draws.
If there are no winners in these two other draws, it must be won on Friday June 20.
On the fifth draw, if no one wins the entire jackpot, it will roll down to the next prize level where there are winners.
Players can pick up tickets for tonight’s draw in-store, through the National Lottery app or at http://www.lottery.ie.
But tickets must be bought before the 7.30pm cut-off time.
And ahead of the draw, Lotto bosses revealed the findings of a survey carried out amongst punters.
It focused on what they would do if they won the jackpot.
Speaking about the findings, a spokesperson for the National Lottery said: “The results from the survey show a nation full of heart, hope and generosity – from supporting family and community to chasing life-long passions.”
The main theme of the findings was generosity – with 52 per cent saying they would donate between 10 and 25 per cent of their winnings to others.
In average, the donations added up to 23.8 per cent.
24 per cent said they would invest in their local community and give something back.
Over two thirds (71 per cent) of respondents said they would buy a house for every member of their family.
A huge 64 per cent said they would explore the world, while 52 per cent said they would visit places they have dreamed of, including the Seven Wonders of the World.
And two per cent said they would use their winnings to travel to space.
Some 66 per cent said they would switch careers if they won, with many saying they would pursue their dream job or passion project.
Other survey findings included 60 per cent buying their dream home in Ireland or abroad, but the survey also revealed that there was low interest in flashy spending.
Only seven per cent said they would sign three of the world’s best footballers for their favourite team, while just six per cent revealed they would buy out a stadium to watch their favourite team play.
But there were a number of wacky answers too, including:
- Build a three-bedroom house just for my dog
- Buy my own chocolate factory
- Build a helipad in my garden and hire a pilot to fly friends and family around the country
- Buy an entire airport so I can travel at a moment’s notice
- Hire three top footballers for a season to help my club
- Install a gold toilet—because why not?
- Construct my own private golf course
- Secure a lifetime supply of fizzy drinks
National Lottery spokesperson, Darragh O’Dwyer said: “With the EuroMillions jackpot now capped at an extraordinary €250million, we’re seeing dreams take flight – both big and small.
“From building homes for loved ones to planning once-in-a-lifetime adventures, this survey shows just how imaginative and generous Irish players are when it comes to dreaming big.
“And with the jackpot at its maximum, any additional prize money that would normally increase the jackpot, will now flow down to increase the value of the next prize tier at which there are winner(s) meaning possibly more chances for life-changing wins.
“If there’s no jackpot winner tonight, the prize will stay at €250 million for up to two more draws, culminating in a Must Be Won draw on Friday, 20th June.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time to play.”
