Euro Millions lottery to expand to six new countries

Link : http://uk.news.yahoo.com/041004/323/f3w1b.html

PARIS (AFP) - Punters in six new countries will be able to cash in on the Euro Millions lottery starting from Friday, said the French creator of the game.

Up to now only people in Britain, France and Spain could play Euro Millions, but starting Friday inhabitants of Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal and Switzerland will be able to purchase tickets and try their luck.

The European lottery was launched in February of this year by the national lottery companies of Britain, france and Spain -- Camelot, Francaise des Jeux, and Apuestas del Estado respectively.

So far the jackpot has been won eight times: five time in France, twice in Spain and once in Britain.

The record win of 33 million euros (39 million dollars) went to the holder of a ticket bought in France last April.

The look of the lottery tickets and the principal of the game will remain the same: to win the jackpot a player must show five winning numbers and two stars.