EuroMillions players across Britain have been urged to check their tickets this morning after one person won the entire £170 million (US$209 million / €190 million) jackpot.
The player matched all five main numbers — 7, 10, 15, 44, and 49, with Lucky Star numbers 3 and 12 — in Tuesday's draw following the lottery's longest ever series of rollovers, making them the UK's biggest ever winner.
Andy Carter, senior winners' adviser at the National Lottery, said, "One incredibly lucky ticket-holder has scooped tonight's enormous £170 million EuroMillions jackpot.
"They are now the UK's biggest ever winner. Players all across the country are urged to check their tickets as soon as possible."
He continued, "It's been a fantastic year for UK EuroMillions players, with an amazing five jackpot wins. In June, one lucky ticket-holder, who chose to remain anonymous, became one of the UK's biggest ever winners after scooping a £123 million jackpot.
"As always, the team are on hand to support and help guide the new winner as they start their adventure with their life-changing win.
"Every EuroMillions ticket sold helps contribute to the more than £30 million raised every week for good causes by the National Lottery — funding everything from local community projects to supporting the nation's athletes."
The £123 million winner in June has never revealed their identity and Camelot, which runs the National Lottery and EuroMillions, would not say whether it was an individual winner or a syndicate (lottery pool).
The previous biggest UK winners were Colin and Chris Weir, from Largs in North Ayrshire, Scotland, who won £161 million in July 2011.
Adrian and Gillian Bayford, from Suffolk, took home more than £148 million in August 2012. Sadly, the couple later split up and Gillian ran off with a car dealer. (No, I'm not making this up).
It has been a particularly successful year for Britons in the EuroMillions this year, with several jackpots claimed.
In the New Year's Day draw, Patrick and Frances Connolly, from Northern Ireland, won the £114.9 million EuroMillions jackpot.
Ade Goodchild landed a £71m prize in March, while another anonymous ticket-holder bagged £35.2 million in April.
Meanwhile, another Briton won £1 million in the Millionaire Maker Selection game on Tuesday.
The Thunderball numbers were 11, 12, 13, 26, and 29, with Thunderball number 10, but no one won the top prize of £500k.
A single winner. I am surprised. Congratulations!! $209,000,000.00 US
I am sure that a body like Camelot has been discussed here in the US. We get a check and must find help on our own.
Camelot in the UK helps winners deal with life after winning big.
..perhaps music, but l for one am more concerned about how the anticipated electrical blackouts will impact lottery sales in the Bay area. It starts today...
Hindsight is 20/20. Never knew any of my late Dad's family (he's a Brit) and you know I would have had them get me a ticket and vice versa.
Anyway congratulations to your tax free winnings!
Yes, noise-gate, some Californians will learn how much we take for granted when their electricity is shut off.
Bleudog, HA! I had forgotten about the UK winnings being tax free!
Adrian and Gillian Bayford, from Suffolk, took home more than £148 million in August 2012. Sadly, the couple later split up and Gillian ran off with a car dealer.
Adrian is no Saint either. He robbed the cradle with his fiance. A major May too December relationship.
I do not like the video that you have posted. In reality they are a good couple with a sense of humour. I hope you can find it on You Tube. I believe it is sour grapes when this couple is made fun of.
This Limey won't have to worry about Brexit!
US lotteries should follow the UK model, giving winners the right to anonymity and providing independent financial advice.
Nice Win!
Anonymity is one thing the majority of players probably want, but because the U.S. has no National Lottery, each state would have to provide a financial service. But with all the financial problems in most states, I really doubt even if offered, most players would want it.
Besides that you're taking about the same people advertising less than 2% percent interest on 29 annual payments. If they could actually find a good financial adviser the payment jackpots would be much higher.
Oh and by the way, for every 1000 tickets bought, only 78 won a prize.
"If they could actually find a good financial adviser the payment jackpots would be much higher."
The lotteries already have very good advisers who understand that their client wants to be positive that they won't lose money by earning less than they've promised to pay out.
Ironically, that's probably unnecessarily cautious. If they based the advertised annuity on some pie in the sky investment that claimed a potential return of 15% they could advertise far higher jackpots. That would probably sell far more tickets because of the people who don't realize the advertised jackpots are inflated, so the lotteries would make more money and the cash jackpots would be bigger. They'd be screwed if somebody actually took the annuity, but as often as that happens they could probably protect themselves with a slight reduction of the amount that goes to the jackpot prize pool.