What drives lottery players to choose one game over another? Is it the size of the jackpot, the odds of winning, or perhaps the thrill of participating in a globally recognized draw? At Lottomat, we’ve witnessed an incredible surge in lottery enthusiasm this January 2026, with over 100,000 tickets purchased by our passionate community of players. This remarkable milestone reveals fascinating insights into which lotteries capture players’ hearts and wallets.
The data speaks volumes about player preferences. While some gravitate toward massive American jackpots, others prefer European classics with better odds. Each lottery tells its own story of dreams, strategies, and the universal hope for that life-changing win. Let’s dive into the eight most popular lotteries that dominated our platform this January and discover what makes each one special.
Which Lottery Claimed the Top Spot in January 2026?
Mega Millions emerged as the undisputed champion, capturing 18% of all tickets sold on Lottomat this January. What makes this American giant so irresistible? The answer lies in its legendary jackpots that regularly soar into hundreds of millions of dollars. Players worldwide are drawn to the possibility of winning amounts that could transform entire family legacies, not just individual lives.
How Does Mega Millions Work?
The game operates on a straightforward 5/70 + 1/25 format. Players select five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball from 1 to 25. While the odds of hitting the jackpot stand at 1 in 302,575,350, the secondary prizes remain substantial and far more achievable. The lottery’s bi-weekly draws on Tuesday and Friday evenings keep excitement levels consistently high throughout the week.
Moreover, Mega Millions offers an optional Megaplier feature that can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to five times. This added dimension transforms even modest wins into significant paydays, making every ticket feel like a genuine opportunity rather than just a long shot at the grand prize.
Click and pick your numbers – play American Mega Millions online lottery now!
Why Does Powerball Remain a Close Second?
Following closely behind with 17% of January’s ticket sales, Powerball proves that American lottery power extends far beyond borders. This iconic lottery has created more billionaires than perhaps any other game in history. Its appeal transcends mere numbers – Powerball represents the quintessential American dream accessible to players worldwide through platforms like Lottomat.
What Makes Powerball Special?
The game structure mirrors Mega Millions in complexity but differs in execution. Players choose five numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball from 1 to 26. The odds of claiming the jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338 – slightly better than Mega Millions. However, what truly sets Powerball apart is its Power Play option, which can multiply prizes by up to 10 times during special promotional draws.
Powerball’s Wednesday and Saturday draws create perfect mid-week and weekend anticipation moments. The lottery consistently delivers record-breaking jackpots, with several prizes exceeding $1 billion in recent years. This track record of creating instant billionaires keeps players coming back week after week.
TIP: Click here and check Powerball rules and jackpot for the upcoming draw.
What Makes EuroMillions Europe’s Favorite?
Claiming 16% of our January sales, EuroMillions stands as Europe’s premier transnational lottery. Spanning nine countries including Spain, France, and the United Kingdom, this lottery unites the continent in collective anticipation every Tuesday and Friday evening. The game’s pan-European nature creates extraordinarily large prize pools that rival American counterparts.
Understanding EuroMillions Format
EuroMillions requires players to select five main numbers from 1 to 50 and two Lucky Stars from 1 to 12. The jackpot odds are 1 in 139,838,160 – significantly better than American mega-lotteries. This more favorable probability, combined with jackpots that frequently reach €100 million or more, creates an attractive balance between attainability and life-changing potential.
The lottery also features special draws like the UK Millionaire Maker and European Millionaire Maker, which guarantee millionaire prizes beyond the main jackpot. These additional opportunities mean that every EuroMillions ticket offers multiple pathways to substantial wealth, not just one astronomical long shot.
Do you want to play? Pick your numbers and play EuroMillions online lottery on our website.
How Did Eurojackpot Secure Fourth Place?
With 14% of tickets sold, Eurojackpot demonstrates that newer lotteries can compete with established giants. Launched in 2012, this pan-European lottery has rapidly gained popularity across 18 participating countries. Its appeal lies in offering substantial jackpots – up to €120 million – while maintaining more favorable odds than many competitors.
What Are Eurojackpot’s Winning Features?
Players select five numbers from 1 to 50 and two Euro numbers from 1 to 12. The jackpot odds stand at 1 in 139,838,160, identical to EuroMillions. However, Eurojackpot draws occur weekly on Tuesday and Friday evenings, providing consistent opportunities to play. The minimum jackpot of €10 million ensures that even small weeks offer prizes worth pursuing.
Eurojackpot’s prize structure includes 12 different tiers, meaning that approximately one in 32 tickets wins some prize. This relatively high overall winning probability keeps players engaged and makes the lottery feel more rewarding than games where most tickets yield nothing.
Why Do Players Love SuperEnalotto’s Challenge?
Italy’s SuperEnalotto captured 12% of our January market share, proving that difficult odds don’t deter determined players. This lottery is notorious for having some of the longest odds in the world – 1 in 622,614,630 for the jackpot – yet it consistently attracts devoted players. Why? The jackpots roll over indefinitely until someone wins, creating prizes that can exceed €200 million.
How Does SuperEnalotto Stand Out?
The game requires selecting six numbers from 1 to 90, with no additional bonus numbers. Draws occur three times weekly on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings. SuperEnalotto also features a Jolly number (similar to a bonus ball) and a SuperStar number that can multiply prizes or even create additional winning opportunities.
What truly distinguishes SuperEnalotto is its tax-free winnings structure in Italy and the absence of a jackpot cap. The sky is literally the limit, with jackpots growing to astronomical levels before finally dropping. This creates extraordinary anticipation as jackpots climb higher and higher, sometimes for months.
If you want to play – click and buy SuperEnalotto tickets online for the upcoming draw.
What Keeps UK Lottery in the Rankings?
The UK National Lottery maintained a solid 10% share of January tickets, demonstrating the enduring appeal of Britain’s beloved lottery. Since its 1994 launch, this lottery has become a British institution, funding countless community projects while creating thousands of millionaires. Its familiar presence and trusted reputation make it a comfortable choice for many players.
Why Choose UK Lottery?
Players select six numbers from 1 to 59 in the main Lotto draw, held on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. The jackpot odds are 1 in 45,057,474 – among the most favorable of any major lottery worldwide. This accessibility, combined with jackpots that typically range from £2 million to £20 million, strikes an appealing balance for pragmatic players.
Additionally, every UK Lotto ticket includes automatic entry into the Lotto HotPicks and Thunderball draws, providing extra value. The lottery also features regular special draws with guaranteed jackpots and additional millionaire-making opportunities, keeping the game fresh and exciting throughout the year.
TIP: Pick your numbers and play UK Lottery online on our website today.
How Does German Lotto 6aus49 Perform?
Germany’s oldest lottery claimed 8% of January’s tickets, showing that tradition and reliability matter to many players. Lotto 6aus49 has operated since 1955, making it one of Europe’s most established lottery games. Its straightforward format and consistent draws have built a loyal following across generations.
What’s Included in German Lotto?
The game requires selecting six numbers from 1 to 49, plus a Superzahl (super number) from 0 to 9 drawn from your ticket number. Jackpot odds are 1 in 139,838,160 – favorable compared to mega-lotteries. Draws occur twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday, with jackpots typically ranging from €1 million to €30 million.
German Lotto 6aus49 also features several additional games bundled with each ticket, including Spiel 77 and SUPER 6. These supplementary draws provide multiple chances to win from a single ticket purchase, enhancing overall value and keeping players engaged beyond just the main jackpot.
Read more: How to Play Lotto 6aus49 Online: Complete Step-by-Step Guide for International Players 2025
What About French Lotto’s Position?
Rounding out our top eight with 5% of tickets sold, French Lotto demonstrates that smaller markets can still maintain dedicated player bases. This lottery offers something unique – some of the best odds among major European lotteries combined with tax-free winnings and affordable ticket prices.
Why French Lotto Deserves Attention?
Players choose five numbers from 1 to 49 and one Lucky Number from 1 to 10. The jackpot odds are an impressive 1 in 19,068,840 – far better than most international lotteries. Draws occur three times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings, providing frequent opportunities to play.
While French Lotto jackpots typically range from €2 million to €10 million – modest by international standards – the favorable odds make wins feel genuinely achievable. The lottery also features special draws throughout the year with enhanced jackpots and additional prizes, maintaining player interest and excitement.
What Do These Numbers Tell Us About Player Preferences?
Our January 2026 data reveals intriguing patterns in lottery player behavior. American lotteries (Mega Millions and Powerball) combined captured 35% of all tickets, demonstrating the global appeal of massive jackpots. European lotteries collectively dominated with 65% of sales, showing that regional familiarity and better odds attract significant player bases.
The distribution suggests that players seek variety in their lottery portfolios. Some chase billion-dollar dreams through American games, while others prefer the more attainable jackpots of European lotteries. This diversity in player strategy reflects sophisticated understanding of lottery dynamics rather than blind hope.
The following table presents a comprehensive overview of how our eight most popular lotteries performed in January 2026, including their market share, odds, and draw frequency.
| Lottery | Market Share | Jackpot Odds | Draw Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Millions | 18% | 1 in 302,575,350 | Twice weekly |
| Powerball | 17% | 1 in 292,201,338 | Twice weekly |
| EuroMillions | 16% | 1 in 139,838,160 | Twice weekly |
| Eurojackpot | 14% | 1 in 139,838,160 | Twice weekly |
| SuperEnalotto | 12% | 1 in 622,614,630 | Three times weekly |
| UK Lottery | 10% | 1 in 45,057,474 | Twice weekly |
| German Lotto 6aus49 | 8% | 1 in 139,838,160 | Twice weekly |
| French Lotto | 5% | 1 in 19,068,840 | Three times weekly |
January 2026 has proven exceptional for lottery enthusiasm at Lottomat. With 100,000 tickets sold across these eight remarkable lotteries, our community demonstrated diverse preferences and strategic thinking. Whether you’re drawn to record-breaking American jackpots or prefer the better odds of European classics, each lottery offers unique advantages worth considering.
The beauty of playing through Lottomat.com lies in accessibility – you can participate in all these world-class lotteries from one convenient platform. Why limit yourself to one lottery when you can explore them all? February awaits with fresh draws, new jackpots, and countless opportunities. Which lottery will you choose next?
Read also: How to Play UK Lotto Online in 2026