|

News

British couple claim record £149m lottery jackpot

Monday, August 13, 2012 | 3:58 PM



LONDON, England — A British couple have claimed a record £149 million (US$235m) prize in the EuroMillions lottery, officials announced today.

Britain's National Lottery said the couple is from Suffolk, in southeast England.

They are expected to reveal their identities on Tuesday and set out their plans for the future.

Their 190-million-euro jackpot beats that won by Scottish couple Colin and Chris Weir, who became Europe's biggest ever lottery winners in July last year when they scooped 185 million euros.

But the current euro conversion rate means the prize is worth less in pounds, than the £161 million won by the Weirs.

"A couple from Haverhill, Suffolk, have won the UK's second biggest ever lottery prize," a National Lottery spokesman said.

"They were the only (jackpot) winners in Friday's EuroMillions draw and have banked an amazing £148,656,000."

The couple had a one in 116,531,800 chance of holding the lucky numbers.

Across Europe, 14 tickets selected six correct numbers, and will win more than 2,641,000 euros each.

The EuroMillions lottery, launched in 2004, is now played by nine countries across western Europe: Austria, Belgium, Britain, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.

Five of the top ten jackpots in the history of EuroMillions have been British. More British players tend to take part when the jackpot is particularly large.



Decision on Finsac enquiry likely by next week

 

Water woes force Cypress Hall residents to the street

 

Break-in at tax office

 

You get what you pay for!

 

9,000 houses to be provided for low-income earners

 

ATL PENSION FRAUD CASE: Back-dated letter was no mistake, says Global CFO

 

Bridging the gap

 

PM leaves for African Union summit in Ethiopia

 

LABOUR DAY 2013: Lend a Hand... Build Our Land

 

Piped water returns to Sligoville

 

St Catherine CSEC candidates get free math, English lessons

 

Digicel backs 'Denbigh' for another three years

 

House buyers to be assisted with deposits

 

Fried scorpions anyone? Waste not, want not is Chinese food ethos

 

UCASE congress set for June 15

 

It's likely to be a wet Labour Day

 

Caribbean countries warned

 

IDB supports sustainable energy for rural electrification in Haiti

 

McLaughlin's PPM on track to form Cayman Islands govt

 

Death of Belize babies linked to bacteria outbreak

 

Today's Cartoon