Super Enalotto
Super Enalotto is Italy's primary national lottery game. Stato italiano (Italian State) operates it through Lottomatica. Draws run twice weekly and have generated some of Europe's largest jackpots. This guide covers the mechanics, odds, and structure you need to understand the game.
6 from 90 main balls plus 1 supplementary
Tuesday and Thursday evenings
Lottomatica (regulated by AAMS)
6 divisions from jackpot to small matches
Game Mechanics
You select 6 numbers from a field of 1 to 90. Draws pull 6 winning numbers plus 1 supplementary number (Numero Jolly). The supplementary ball determines outcomes in certain prize categories.
Match all 6 main numbers and you win the Category 1 jackpot. Match 5 main plus the supplementary, and you land Category 2. The structure splits into six total prize divisions based on how many numbers you match and whether the supplementary plays a role in your combination.
Each ticket costs a fixed amount. You choose your numbers once, and the draw happens on the scheduled date. There is no rollover of unmatched prize pools between draws in the traditional sense, but jackpots accumulate when no one wins Category 1.
Prize Tiers and Odds
Super Enalotto uses a fixed-division model. Revenues go into a pool, and each prize tier receives a set percentage of that pool. This means prize values fluctuate week to week based on sales and the number of winners in each category.
The six prize categories rank as follows:
- Category 1: 6 correct numbers (jackpot)
- Category 2: 5 correct plus supplementary
- Category 3: 5 correct numbers
- Category 4: 4 correct numbers
- Category 5: 3 correct numbers
- Category 6: 2 correct numbers
The odds of winning any prize (matching at least 2 numbers) stand at approximately 1 in 22. The overall odds of matching 6 numbers are 1 in 622,614,630. No official published odds exist for each individual category on Betarama, so consult the Lottomatica official site for current division probabilities.
Jackpots have reached over 200 million euros in recent years. Because the pool is shared among all winners in a category, a higher number of winners in any tier reduces the per-ticket payout for that division.
Draw Schedule and Timing
Draws occur on Tuesday and Thursday at 20:00 CET (Italian time). Results are published immediately after the draw on the official Lottomatica portal and through authorized retailers and platforms like Betarama.
Tickets typically close sales around 19:50 CET on draw nights. Check your local platform for exact cutoff times, as they may differ slightly by region or service provider.
History and Regulation
Super Enalotto launched in 1997 and replaced the older Enalotto game. The Italian State retained ownership and Lottomatica operates all draws under license from AAMS (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli), Italy's gaming regulator.
Lottomatica is publicly regulated and subject to Italian gaming law. All draws are televised and independently monitored. The operator publishes official results daily.
Expected Value and Player Maths
Like all national lotteries, Super Enalotto returns less money to players than it takes in. The state retains a percentage for taxation and administration. Typical return-to-player sits between 50 and 60 percent, depending on sales and jackpot size in a given week.
The odds of returning any prize are 1 in 22. The odds of a substantial win (Category 3 or better) are much lower, roughly 1 in 500,000. You should assume any ticket is a loss in mathematical terms. Jackpots do not overcome this gap unless the pool reaches exceptional sizes relative to ticket price.
Syndicates pool money across multiple tickets to increase the number of combinations covered. With 10 people buying 10 tickets each, you hold 100 combinations instead of 10. This increases your chance of a small win but does not improve the odds of a jackpot across individual tickets; it spreads cost and potential prize across more people.
Taxation in Italy
Winners in Italy face different tax treatment depending on prize size and prize category. AAMS withholds tax at the point of payout for most prizes. Jackpot winners typically receive winnings net of Italian taxation, which can range from 8 to 20 percent depending on circumstances.
Non-residents may face additional withholding. If you are a foreign player, consult a tax professional in your home jurisdiction, as your home country may also claim tax on gambling winnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pick my own numbers or does Super Enalotto offer random selection?
Super Enalotto lets you choose your own 6 numbers from 1 to 90. Most platforms, including Betarama, also provide a quick-pick or random-number generator if you prefer the system to select for you. Both methods have identical odds.
What happens if multiple people win the jackpot?
The Category 1 jackpot is split evenly among all winners who matched all 6 numbers in that draw. If 3 people hold winning tickets, the jackpot divides by 3. This is why reported jackpot sizes sometimes change between draws even if no one won the previous week.
How does the supplementary number work?
The supplementary number (Numero Jolly) is drawn separately after the 6 main numbers. It determines whether you fall into Category 2 (5 main plus supplementary) instead of Category 3 (5 main only). The supplementary does not factor into other prize tiers. You do not choose it; it is drawn randomly.
What are the odds of winning any prize in Super Enalotto?
The odds of matching at least 2 numbers (the minimum for any payout) are approximately 1 in 22. The odds of winning the jackpot (all 6 numbers) are 1 in 622,614,630. Prize odds for individual categories vary; check Lottomatica for exact divisional probabilities.
Is Super Enalotto fair and regulated?
Yes. Super Enalotto is operated by Lottomatica under license from AAMS, Italy's gaming regulator. All draws are televised, independently monitored, and results are published immediately. The Italian State owns the lottery and Lottomatica is a publicly regulated entity.
How often can I play Super Enalotto?
Draws occur twice per week, on Tuesday and Thursday at 20:00 CET. You can buy tickets for both draws. There is no limit to how many tickets you can purchase per draw or per week.
