After more than 60 draws over seven months, the €19.06 million National Lottery jackpot was finally won tonight by a person in Co Mayo who matched all six numbers.
The jackpot had remained capped at €19.06 million since October 2nd and had not been won since June last year. It is the biggest National Lottery jackpot win in the State.
The jackpot numbers drawn were: 2, 9, 16, 30, 37, 40 while the bonus number was 23.
Tonight had been the first “will be won” National Lottery draw which could have seen the prize shared among those who matched five numbers and a bonus number, or, if still no winners, those who matched five numbers, in the absence of an overall winner.
However, this process was not required as one lucky person matched all six numbers.
Almost €5.5 million was shared by 149 players who matched five numbers and the bonus number.
Last night’s draw also saw the first Lotto Plus 2 top prize win of the year. A player in Kilkenny scooped the €250,000 prize after purchasing their winning Quick Pick ticket on Friday, January 14th in Kittys Cabin on Rose Inn Street in the heart of Kilkenny City.
The National Lottery said it would will reveal details on where the winning ticket was sold in the coming days.
A spokesman for the National Lottery advised everyone who played to check their tickets.
“If they are the lucky winner, we encourage them to sign the back of the ticket immediately and contact our prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie , and we will make arrangements for you to collect your prize.”
Earlier the Lotto app and website came under severe strain ahead of the first “will be won” jackpot draw.
Some players seeking to play via the Lotto app shortly before the 7.45pm cut-off were told that “due to high traffic volumes we are experiencing technical difficulties”.
The National Lottery website was also displaying a “currently unavailable” message shortly before the draw at 8pm.
Sales of tickets for tonight’s draw were reported to have been significantly higher than a standard draw.
The succession of jackpot rollovers had prompted the operator of the National Lottery, Premier Lotteries Ireland, to seek the addition of the “will be won” draw.
In future lottery jackpots will only rollover five times once the prize cap has been reached.
