An Icelandic player has won third prize in the EuroJackpot lottery, adding Iceland to the list of nations celebrating a major European lottery result. The win, confirmed by Íslenska getspamafélagið — the state-licensed Icelandic lottery operator — marks another notable success for Icelandic players in one of Europe’s largest cross-border jackpot games.
Key takeaways
- An Icelander has won the EuroJackpot third prize, worth approximately €126,000 (around ISK 19 million at current exchange rates).
- EuroJackpot is played in 18 European countries, including Iceland, with draws every Tuesday and Friday.
- Iceland has produced multiple EuroJackpot prize winners in recent years, though a first-prize jackpot win remains elusive.
- Tickets can be bought online through Íslenska getspamafélagið or at authorised retail points across Iceland.
- The winning ticket’s point of purchase has not been officially confirmed at the time of publication.
How much money did the Icelandic EuroJackpot winner receive?
The Icelandic EuroJackpot winner received the third-tier prize, which in recent EuroJackpot draws has been worth approximately €126,000 — roughly ISK 19 million at current exchange rates set by Seðlabankinn, Iceland’s central bank. The exact final sum paid to the winner depends on the specific draw date and the number of other third-prize winners that week, since EuroJackpot prizes are shared among all matching tickets in each tier across all participating countries. Officials at Íslenska getspamafélagið have confirmed the win but have not publicly disclosed the winner’s identity, in line with standard Icelandic lottery privacy practice.
What is the EuroJackpot third prize worth?
The EuroJackpot third prize is awarded to players who match five main numbers plus zero EuroNumbers, or in some draw formats, four main numbers plus two EuroNumbers — the exact matching criteria depend on the draw structure in effect. The third prize typically falls in the range of €100,000 to €250,000, making it a life-changing sum for most winners. Because EuroJackpot prizes are pari-mutuel — meaning the pot is divided among all winners at the same tier — the precise amount varies draw by draw. Players can check current prize-tier breakdowns directly on the official EuroJackpot prize information page.
How many times have Icelanders won EuroJackpot prizes?
Iceland joined EuroJackpot in 2014, and since then Icelandic players have claimed prizes across multiple tiers. Lower-tier wins — matching three or four numbers — have been relatively frequent, and several second- and third-tier prizes have been won by Icelandic tickets over the years. However, no Icelander has yet claimed the EuroJackpot top prize, which can reach a capped maximum of €120 million. The lottery’s growing player base in Iceland, combined with twice-weekly draws, has steadily raised the statistical chances of a significant win. Each confirmed major win tends to spark a short-term surge in ticket sales across the country, a pattern Íslenska getspamafélagið has observed repeatedly.
Where in Iceland was the winning ticket purchased?
The exact location where the winning ticket was purchased has not been officially confirmed at the time of publication. In previous high-profile wins, tickets have been bought both online — through the Íslenska getspamafélagið website and app — and at physical retail outlets such as Bónus supermarkets, Olís and N1 petrol stations, and dedicated lottery kiosks found on Laugavegur and in the Kringlan shopping mall in Reykjavík. Officials are expected to provide further details once the winner has been formally verified and has had the opportunity to claim the prize. This article will be updated when that information becomes available.
How can people in Iceland play EuroJackpot?
Playing EuroJackpot in Iceland is straightforward. Draws take place every Tuesday and Friday evening, with results published shortly after the draw closes in Helsinki, Finland, where the central draw is conducted. Tickets cost ISK 350 per line at standard retail prices, though online bundles and system entries are also available.
There are two main ways to play:
- Online: Register at Íslenska getspamafélagið (getspa.is) to buy tickets, check results, and receive win notifications directly to your account.
- In person: Authorised retail points include Bónus, Krónan, and Nettó supermarkets, as well as Olís and N1 petrol stations. Kiosks are also found in Kringlan and Smáralind shopping centres.
Players must be at least 18 years old to participate, in line with Icelandic gambling law. Winnings up to a certain threshold are paid out directly; larger prizes require verification through Íslenska getspamafélagið’s head office on Borgartún in central Reykjavík. International visitors in Iceland can also purchase tickets at retail points, though any prize claim may require additional documentation.
Why Iceland punches above its weight in European lotteries
Iceland’s population of roughly 380,000 is small by European standards, so any win in a continent-wide lottery draws disproportionate attention at home. EuroJackpot spans 18 countries with a combined population of hundreds of millions, which means an Icelandic winner is statistically rare — and therefore notable. Still, per capita participation rates in Iceland are among the higher ones in the EuroJackpot zone, partly because Íslenska getspamafélagið has invested heavily in digital access since 2016, making it easier for Icelanders to play regularly from their phones. The twice-weekly draw schedule, introduced when EuroJackpot added Friday draws in 2022, also doubled the number of opportunities for Icelandic players each week. That combination of high engagement and increased draw frequency helps explain why wins, when they come, feel like a regular occurrence despite the long statistical odds.
Frequently asked questions
What is EuroJackpot and which countries participate?
EuroJackpot is a pan-European lottery game played in 18 countries, including Iceland, Germany, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and several others. Players pick five main numbers from 1–50 and two EuroNumbers from 1–12. Draws are held every Tuesday and Friday, and the jackpot can reach a maximum of €120 million before it must be won. Iceland joined the game in 2014 through Íslenska getspamafélagið.
How does Iceland’s lottery operator pay out large EuroJackpot wins?
Íslenska getspamafélagið handles prize payments for all EuroJackpot wins claimed by Icelandic ticket holders. Smaller prizes are paid automatically to registered online accounts or over the counter at retail points. Larger prizes, including third-prize wins of this scale, require the winner to contact the operator directly — either online or at its offices on Borgartún in Reykjavík — to verify identity and complete the claim. Payment is typically made in Icelandic króna (ISK) at the prevailing euro exchange rate.
Can tourists visiting Iceland buy EuroJackpot tickets?
Yes. Anyone physically present in Iceland and aged 18 or over can purchase a EuroJackpot ticket at authorised retail outlets across the country. Tickets are widely available at petrol stations, supermarkets, and kiosks in Reykjavík and larger towns. However, collecting a significant prize as a non-resident may involve additional administrative steps, and international visitors should check with Íslenska getspamafélagið before purchasing if they have questions about cross-border prize claims.
When is the next EuroJackpot draw?
EuroJackpot draws take place every Tuesday and Friday evening. The draw is conducted in Helsinki, Finland, and results are published online within minutes of the draw closing. Icelandic players can check results on getspa.is or through the Íslenska getspamafélagið mobile app. Ticket sales for each draw close approximately one hour before the draw begins.
Has any Icelander ever won the EuroJackpot jackpot?
As of the time of publication, no Icelander has won the EuroJackpot top prize, which is capped at €120 million. Icelandic players have, however, claimed prizes at the second, third, and lower tiers on multiple occasions since Iceland joined the game in 2014. The current third-prize win continues a pattern of Icelandic success at the mid-tier levels of the draw.
