Lotteries are a big deal in most countries and Ireland is no different. The Irish Lottery has had many changes, payouts, and scandal in its short life. This lottery was “born” in 1986 when the National Lottery Act was passed. However, gaming did not begin until 1987. The first lotto game introduced in the newly passed lottery was everyone’s favorite…scratchcards (Match 3 and Windfall). The actual first lotto drawing took place April 16, 1988 and became an instant hit. Originally the draws were one day a week (Saturday) but in 1990 they started a mid week draw (Wednesday). Since then they have continued with the twice a week draw.
The Irish Lottery has expanded from scratchcards and weekly draws to now include TV game shows (Winning Streak), bingo, millionaire raffles, online games and participation in Euro Millions. “Winning Streak”, the game show, was launched in 1990 and is the longest running game show in Europe. Approximately 2/3 of the adult population in Ireland play some form of the lottery. The Irish Lottery is unique, in the fact that, their winnings are paid out in one lump tax free sum. That’s right, tax free! Nonetheless, winners only have 90 days to claim their prize before the money is returned back to the lottery system.
This lottery is not without scandal though. It worked on a 6/36 game draw every Saturday night (Wednesdays were added in 1990) until 1992. An accountant named Stefan Klincewicz figured out a way to beat the system. He had calculated how many tickets he would need to buy in order to beat the odds. All he had to do was wait for the jackpot to become large enough that he would still have a sizable sum left after paying out the money for the amount of tickets. He had is crew buy out bulk tickets with each getting a cut of the money. After the scandal, the new draw worked on a 6/39 game. There are still changes being made to the system as recently as 2015 when it changed from 45 to 47 numbers allowing for greater jackpots. Given this scandal it was only a matter of time before Hollywood came knocking.
Hollywood did come knocking and in 1998 a movie was made. “Waking Ned” is a movie about the Irish Lottery but not the one you maybe expecting. The movie revolves around a fictional character “Ned” who wins the lottery only to die before claiming his winnings. The village where he lived decides to collect the money in his honor. The villagers go to all sorts of hilarious lengths to prove that Ned is still alive in order to claim his payout.
The very first payout of the Irish Lottery, on April 16, 1988, was € 147,059. The largest win to date was in 2008 by a group of 15 quarry workers. They won €18.9 million and it is still the standing record holder but, who knows for how long. The largest win by a single ticket holder was €16.7 million and was won on April 14, 2010. For those who buy their Irish Lottery tickets may they have the “luck of the Irish” on their side.
The Irish Lottery has expanded from scratchcards and weekly draws to now include TV game shows (Winning Streak), bingo, millionaire raffles, online games and participation in Euro Millions. “Winning Streak”, the game show, was launched in 1990 and is the longest running game show in Europe. Approximately 2/3 of the adult population in Ireland play some form of the lottery. The Irish Lottery is unique, in the fact that, their winnings are paid out in one lump tax free sum. That’s right, tax free! Nonetheless, winners only have 90 days to claim their prize before the money is returned back to the lottery system.
This lottery is not without scandal though. It worked on a 6/36 game draw every Saturday night (Wednesdays were added in 1990) until 1992. An accountant named Stefan Klincewicz figured out a way to beat the system. He had calculated how many tickets he would need to buy in order to beat the odds. All he had to do was wait for the jackpot to become large enough that he would still have a sizable sum left after paying out the money for the amount of tickets. He had is crew buy out bulk tickets with each getting a cut of the money. After the scandal, the new draw worked on a 6/39 game. There are still changes being made to the system as recently as 2015 when it changed from 45 to 47 numbers allowing for greater jackpots. Given this scandal it was only a matter of time before Hollywood came knocking.
Hollywood did come knocking and in 1998 a movie was made. “Waking Ned” is a movie about the Irish Lottery but not the one you maybe expecting. The movie revolves around a fictional character “Ned” who wins the lottery only to die before claiming his winnings. The village where he lived decides to collect the money in his honor. The villagers go to all sorts of hilarious lengths to prove that Ned is still alive in order to claim his payout.
The very first payout of the Irish Lottery, on April 16, 1988, was € 147,059. The largest win to date was in 2008 by a group of 15 quarry workers. They won €18.9 million and it is still the standing record holder but, who knows for how long. The largest win by a single ticket holder was €16.7 million and was won on April 14, 2010. For those who buy their Irish Lottery tickets may they have the “luck of the Irish” on their side.
Recent Comments