EuroMillions Winning Ticket Location: Recent Irish Wins & Tax
Finding out a EuroMillions ticket bought at a local shop in Cavan is worth €17 million sounds like the stuff of daydreams, yet that’s exactly what happened in Ireland in December 2025 — and the winner still hasn’t come forward. Here’s what we know about where winning tickets are sold, the tax-free nature of winnings, and the decisions winners face.
Largest EuroMillions Jackpot Ever: €250 million ·
Most Recent Irish Win Location: Lidl in Cavan (€17 million, December 2025) ·
Tax on Winnings in UK / Ireland: 0% ·
Anonymous Winners Allowed: Yes (UK & Ireland)
Quick snapshot
- €250 million jackpot won in Munster, Ireland (The Irish Times)
- €17 million ticket sold at Lidl in Cavan, December 2025 (RTE)
- December 2024 – €250M won in Munster (The Irish Times)
- December 2025 – €17M won at Lidl Cavan (RTE)
- Exact Cavan selling location to be announced Dec 16, 2025 (RTE)
- Winner has 90 days to claim (Official National Lottery Ireland)
The table below summarizes key EuroMillions facts from recent wins.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Record Jackpot | €250 million (December 2024) |
| Most Recent Irish Win | €17 million – Lidl in Cavan (December 2025) |
| Tax in UK | 0% – no tax on gambling winnings |
| Tax in Ireland | 0% – no income tax on lottery prizes |
| Anonymous Winners UK | Yes, by default |
| Anonymous Winners Ireland | Yes, but region may be disclosed |
What Part of Ireland Was the EuroMillions Won?
The most recent major Irish EuroMillions jackpot — €17 million — was won on a ticket bought in a retail store in County Cavan, part of the Ulster region. The National Lottery confirmed the ticket was sold on December 12, 2025, and will reveal the specific store on December 16 (RTE – Irish public broadcaster).
Recent EuroMillions Winning Locations in Ireland
- June 2024: €250 million winner bought in a retail store in Munster (specific store undisclosed) (The Irish Times – Ireland’s leading daily)
- December 2025: €17 million winner at Lidl in Cavan (RTE)
- December 2025: €500,000 EuroMillions Plus prize won online by a Co Limerick player (The Irish Times)
- €30,745 win (5 numbers) at Kitty’s Cabin, Rose Inn Street, Kilkenny (The Irish Times)
Six-figure wins often come from small convenience stores. Knowing the retail patterns helps players understand that any shop — not just big chains — can produce a jackpot.
How to Check if Your Ticket Is a Winner
- Check the official EuroMillions results on the National Lottery website or app.
- Match the five main numbers (1–50) and two Lucky Stars (1–12) from your ticket.
- The €17 million winning numbers were 7, 25, 30, 37, 41 and Lucky Stars 5, 11 (The Irish Times).
Where to Buy EuroMillions Tickets in Ireland
- Authorised retailers: newsagents, supermarkets (including Lidl, Tesco), petrol stations.
- Online via the Official National Lottery Ireland website or app.
- The €250 million winning ticket was not bought online (The Journal – Irish news site).
The trade-off: buying in store means you have a physical ticket to protect; online purchases are automatically recorded and you receive an email confirmation.
How Much Tax Do You Pay on the EuroMillions?
In the UK and Ireland, lottery winnings are completely tax-free for the winner. No income tax, capital gains tax, or withholding tax applies — a major advantage compared to some other countries.
Tax on EuroMillions Winnings in the UK
HM Revenue & Customs does not tax gambling or lottery winnings. The prize is paid out in full (UK Government guidance on gambling winnings).
Tax on EuroMillions Winnings in Ireland
Section 27 of the Finance Act 2017 explicitly exempts lottery prizes from income tax (Revenue.ie – Irish tax authority).
Do You Pay Tax on EuroMillions in Other Countries?
- France: 0% on winnings (but may affect wealth tax).
- Spain: 20% withholding on prizes over €40,000 (as of 2025).
- United States: Federal tax up to 37% plus state tax — but US residents only.
- EU harmonisation: No cross-border withholding between EuroMillions countries.
While the prize itself is tax-free, any interest or investment income generated after you claim is taxable. Winners moving to a new country may also face local tax rules.
For Irish and UK players, the implication is simple: the advertised jackpot is yours to keep, minus nothing.
Can You Remain Anonymous if You Win EuroMillions?
Privacy is a top concern for many winners. The ability to stay anonymous varies by country, but both the UK and Ireland offer strong protections.
Countries That Allow Anonymous Lottery Winners
- United Kingdom: Winners can remain anonymous. Camelot (now Allwyn) does not disclose names without consent (National Lottery UK – winner privacy policy).
- Ireland: Winners are never publicly named unless they choose to appear. The region of sale may be shared (Official National Lottery Ireland).
- France: Winners must be publicly identified.
- Spain: Names can be disclosed to the media if the prize exceeds a threshold.
How Winners Can Protect Their Privacy
- Sign the back of the ticket immediately to establish ownership.
- Keep the ticket in a secure place (e.g., a safety deposit box).
- Set up a trust or limited company to claim the prize in some jurisdictions.
- Limit who you tell — financial advisors, lawyers, and family only.
What Information Is Public in Ireland and the UK
- Ireland: The county or region of the winning store is often announced, but never the winner’s name or address.
- UK: No public release of winner information unless the winner chooses to share.
- Both: The retailer who sold the winning ticket may be named and may receive a bonus.
Why this matters: The ability to stay anonymous in Ireland and the UK means winners can avoid many of the social and security headaches that plague jackpot winners in countries with mandatory disclosure.
What Is the Biggest Mistake a Lottery Winner Can Make?
Financial advisors and psychologists warn that sudden wealth without preparation can lead to disaster. The most common errors are predictable — and avoidable.
Common Financial Mistakes After Winning
- Overspending on luxury items, houses, and gifts before setting up a long-term plan.
- Making poor investments, especially in businesses run by friends or family.
- Failing to hire a trusted financial advisor and accountant immediately.
Legal and Personal Mistakes
- Not setting up a trust or legal structure to manage the money.
- Telling too many people — leading to requests for money, lawsuits, and estrangement.
- Ignoring the need for a will and estate planning.
How to Avoid Pitfalls with Professional Advice
- Assemble a team: solicitor, accountant, financial planner, and tax specialist — all with experience handling large windfalls.
- Take time before making any major decisions. One rule of thumb: don’t make any non-necessary purchases for at least six months.
- Create a written financial plan that balances spending, investing, and giving.
The biggest mistake isn’t a single bad purchase — it’s moving from ordinary life to extraordinary wealth without a professional buffer. The winners who stay grounded are the ones who hire help before they have to.
Professional advice is the difference between a cautionary tale and a happy ending.
Has Anyone Ever Won EuroMillions with a Lucky Dip?
Yes — many jackpots are won using lucky dip, where the terminal randomly selects the numbers. The odds are identical regardless of how you pick.
What Is a Lucky Dip Ticket?
- A ticket where numbers are randomly generated by the lottery terminal or online system.
- Available at all retail outlets and online for every EuroMillions draw.
Notable Lucky Dip Jackpot Wins
- €184 million win in the UK (2019) using a lucky dip (BBC News – UK public broadcaster).
- €250 million Irish winner used a lucky dip (according to National Lottery sources).
- The €17 million Cavan winner also used a lucky dip (RTE).
Odds of Winning with Lucky Dip vs. Self-Selected Numbers
The odds of matching five numbers and two lucky stars are exactly 1 in 139,838,160 — no matter how you pick. Lucky dip is simply a convenience, not a strategy.
The pattern: Around 70% of jackpot wins globally come from random or quick-pick tickets, simply because they are much more common than self-selected entries.
EuroMillions Winning Timeline
- December 2024 – €250 million EuroMillions jackpot won in Munster, Ireland. Over 92,000 Irish players won prizes in that draw (The Irish Times).
- November 30, 2025 – Cavan player wins Daily Million top prize (€1 million).
- December 12, 2025 – €17 million EuroMillions jackpot ticket sold at Lidl in Cavan (RTE).
- December 16, 2025 – National Lottery expected to announce exact store location.
- Ongoing – Winner of €17 million has not yet claimed.
These dates highlight the frequency of large wins in Ireland.
What’s Confirmed and What’s Unclear
Confirmed facts
- €250 million win in Munster confirmed by National Lottery (The Irish Times)
- €17 million winning ticket sold at Lidl Cavan (RTE)
- Lottery prizes tax-free in Ireland and UK (Revenue.ie)
What’s unclear
- Winner of €17 million has not yet claimed the prize (as of mid-December 2025) (RTE)
- Exact store location for the €250 million win remains undisclosed
- Winner of €500,000 EuroMillions Plus prize in Co Limerick also not publicly identified (The Irish Times)
Tracking confirmed and unclear details helps players understand what information to trust.
Voices on EuroMillions Wins
“We are urging all of our players to check their tickets carefully. The winner has an incredible €17 million waiting for them.”
— National Lottery spokesperson, quoted by RTE (Ireland’s national broadcaster)
“Using a lucky dip is a completely valid approach — the odds are exactly the same as choosing your own numbers.”
— BBC News (UK public broadcaster)
Public statements from lottery officials reinforce the need for ticket holders to act quickly.
Related reading: €250m EuroMillions jackpot won in Ireland in June 2025 · €17m EuroMillions jackpot ticket sold in Co Cavan
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to claim a EuroMillions prize?
In Ireland, winners have 90 days from the draw date to claim prizes over €500. In the UK, the deadline is 180 days. After that, the prize money goes to National Lottery Good Causes.
What happens if I lose my winning EuroMillions ticket?
Without the physical ticket, you cannot claim a prize. Always sign the back and store it safely. Online purchases are recorded automatically, so you can reprint or get a digital record.
Can I buy EuroMillions tickets online?
Yes, through the official National Lottery websites of participating countries (e.g., lottery.ie in Ireland, national-lottery.co.uk in the UK). Subscriptions and direct debits are also available.
What is the EuroMillions draw schedule?
Draws take place every Tuesday and Friday evening at 20:00 CET (19:00 GMT). Tickets can be purchased up to a few hours before each draw.
How are EuroMillions prizes paid out?
Prizes are paid as a tax-free lump sum in most European countries. The UK and Ireland both offer a single, immediate payment — no annuities.
Do I need to pay tax if I win EuroMillions in Spain?
Yes. Spain imposes a 20% withholding tax on lottery prizes over €40,000. If you are not a Spanish resident, you may still be subject to this tax if the ticket was bought in Spain.
Can I claim a EuroMillions prize if I bought the ticket in another country?
Yes. EuroMillions is a multi-country game. You can claim a prize bought in any participating country from your home country’s lottery authority, though larger prizes may require a visit to the ticket’s country of purchase.
For Irish players, the lesson is clear: check your tickets the morning after every draw, keep the physical slip safe, and if you win, get professional advice before telling anyone. The difference between a happy winner and a cautionary tale is a few hours of planning.
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