How to Play Irish Lotto
Playing Irish Lotto couldn't be easier - whether you're a resident of Ireland or you're placing a bet from another country, it takes two minutes to get started. Follow these quick and easy steps to get your entries for the next draw, and visit the Irish Lotto FAQs page if there's anything else you need to know.
Pick six numbers from 1-47
Whether you're playing online or in-store, the first thing you need to do is select six main numbers between 1 and 47. You can either pick these using the number grid available, or you can opt for a Quick Pick to receive a set of six random numbers.
Lotto tickets cost €2 per line but you must purchase at least two lines, so the minimum cost of entry is €4.
Choose which draws to enter
Draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday at 7:57pm – ticket sales close at 7:45pm on those days. You can purchase tickets for one of the twice-weekly draws, or you can enter both of them.
Mark the chosen draw day(s) on your playslip or select the relevant option if you're playing online. Your chosen numbers will then be entered into the specified draw.
Optional: Choose the 'PLUS' option
Adding 'Plus' to your ticket costs an extra €1 per line (remember, you must purchase a minimum of two lines). If you have selected Plus, it will appear on your ticket as "PLUS: YES".
When you add Plus, you get automatic entry to the Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 draws, along with the Plus Raffle. That's three extra chances to win!
Decide how far in advance to play
Before your playslip is complete, you need to decide how many draws you want your ticket for. The options include 1, 2, 4 or 8 draws.
Some online betting websites such as Jackpot.com allow you to purchase bets for up to a year in advance.
Pay for your entries
If you're playing in-store, simply pay the retailer the required amount (minimum €4 for two lines, for one draw, without Plus). You will then receive your ticket, which you should keep safe until the draw has taken place.
When you play online, your account will be charged for the amount your entry costs. Betting online brings a number of benefits; in particular, you don't have to keep hold of your entry and you are notified of any winnings. Should you win a prize, you will be able to withdraw your winnings from your account (withdrawal periods may vary depending on the banking method used).
How to win Irish Lotto
To win prizes in Irish Lotto, the numbers you select must match the winning numbers that appear in the draw. You only need to match two of the six winning numbers - plus the Bonus Ball that is drawn from the remaining 41 numbers – to receive a prize. As you match more numbers, the value of the prizes increases. If you predict all six main numbers correctly, you win the jackpot – which starts at €2 million and regularly climbs higher than €10 million.
Winning Lotto Plus
If you opt in to Lotto Plus, the prizes for the Plus 1 and Plus 2 games work in a similar way to the main draw – you win if you match at least two main numbers plus the Bonus Ball. You are also entered into the Lotto Plus Raffle, which holds special events from time to time.
Special Lotto Plus Raffles
When you add the Plus option to your ticket, you receive a four-digit Lotto Plus Raffle code for every line of numbers you enter in the main game. Standard draws offer a guaranteed prize of €500 to everyone who matches the winning code, but special events happen occasionally when an extra €1 million is added to the prize fund. This additional prize pot is split between all the winners, so the final payout usually works out between €8,000 and €12,000 each.
The best part of these special draws is that you don't have to do anything extra to take part – just keep an eye out for an announcement of when it will be held and then make sure to add the Lotto Plus option. There is no additional cost to play.
