
Ever wondered how some UK EuroMillions players become millionaires without matching all the main numbers? There is more on your ticket than the lines you pick.
Every UK EuroMillions ticket comes with a special code that is automatically entered into a separate raffle called Millionaire Maker. With each draw, at least one code wins a guaranteed £1 million prize for a UK player.
This guide explains where to find the code, how the raffle works alongside the main game, and what happens if yours matches. If you have never noticed the code before, you might be surprised how many winners it helps create.
The EuroMillions Millionaire Maker is a raffle that runs alongside the main EuroMillions draw, exclusively for tickets bought in the UK. Instead of choosing numbers, each entry is linked to a code printed on your ticket. The owner of the ticket with the matching code wins a fixed £1 million.
You do not have to select anything to take part. The code is created for you at the time of purchase and appears separately to your main EuroMillions numbers. On certain dates there are special events when several codes are drawn, which means multiple UK winners in one go.
So how does that little code on your ticket actually work in the draw?
When you buy a EuroMillions ticket in the UK, the system generates a unique code and prints it on your ticket or shows it in your online account. It is different for every entry. A typical example looks like HTRG76245, with letters followed by numbers.
On the night, one or more codes are selected at random from all those issued for that specific draw. If your code matches exactly, you win the £1 million prize for that code. This process is completely separate from the main numbers game, so it is possible to win in the raffle even if your EuroMillions numbers do not match.
Occasionally, special draws select several codes at once, creating multiple guaranteed UK winners. Since the code is what counts here, it is always worth checking it alongside your main numbers.
That naturally leads to a common question: does every ticket come with one?
Yes. Every EuroMillions ticket bought in the UK automatically includes a Millionaire Maker code, whether you play online or in a shop. There is no extra charge for it, and it is displayed separately to your main numbers.
Each line you play gets its own code, so a multi-line ticket will show several. This feature is only for entries purchased in the UK, so tickets bought in other EuroMillions countries do not include it.
Once you know you have a code, the next step is simply checking whether it has won.
Checking is straightforward. After each EuroMillions draw, the winning Millionaire Maker code or codes are published on the National Lottery website and app, shown at most retailers, and often reported by news outlets.
Look for the Millionaire Maker results in the EuroMillions section and compare your code, letter by letter and digit by digit. It needs to match exactly. On a paper ticket, the code sits beneath your EuroMillions numbers. If you played online, it appears in your account within your ticket details.
If you play online, sign in to your National Lottery account and open your ticket for the relevant draw date to view the code that was assigned. After results are posted, the winning code is shown on the results page. Compare it with yours to confirm whether you have won the £1 million prize. Online players are usually notified in their account if a prize has been won and can follow the guidance provided to claim it.
Prefer playing in-store? Keep your ticket safe, then check the code after the draw on the official website, in the app, or at a retailer. With that sorted, you might be wondering where these codes come from in the first place.
When you buy a ticket in the UK, the National Lottery system automatically creates a code for each line you play and links it to that specific draw date. Codes are designed to be unique within the draw and are not repeated for that event.
All valid codes for the draw are then entered into a secure system. One or more are selected at random to determine the winner or winners, and only codes attached to UK entries are eligible. Each code is tied to a single ticket and can only win once.
Now, if a code you hold is selected, how do you hear about it and what happens next?
If you play online, the National Lottery lets you know if there is news in your account. Log in to view your ticket and you will see whether your Millionaire Maker code matches a winning one. For £1 million prizes, clear instructions explain how to proceed, as larger wins are claimed directly with the National Lottery.
If you bought your ticket in a shop, you will not be contacted automatically. It is important to check your code against the published results on the website, in the app, at retailers, or via trusted media. Keep your ticket safe, because you will need it to claim.
To claim a £1 million Millionaire Maker prize, contact the National Lottery within 180 days of the draw date. They will guide you through confirming your ticket and arranging payment. You can always check the latest results and codes on our site to stay up to date. If gambling ever stops being enjoyable, support is available at begambleaware.org.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.