Super Enalotto
Super Enalotto is Italy's primary national lottery. Operated by Lottomatica under regulation by the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), the game has run since 1997 and generates some of the largest jackpots in European lottery history.
How Super Enalotto Works
Super Enalotto requires you to pick 6 numbers from a pool of 90. Each ticket costs a fixed amount and covers one standard play.
The draw pulls 6 main winning numbers. After those 6, a seventh number called the Numero Jolly (Jolly number) is drawn. This Jolly acts as a supplementary ball and determines whether you advance to higher prize tiers without matching all 6 main numbers.
To win the jackpot, you must match all 6 main numbers. Matching 5 main numbers plus the Jolly also wins the second-highest prize. The Jolly creates a critical difference: match 5 main plus Jolly, and you climb significantly higher than matching only 5 main numbers.
Draw days are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Each draw takes place at 20:00 CET. You can submit plays up until draw time on those days.
Prize Tiers and Odds
Super Enalotto has 6 prize categories, ranked by difficulty:
Category 1 (6 numbers): Match all 6 main numbers. This is the jackpot tier. The odds of matching exactly 6 from 90 are approximately 1 in 622 million. Jackpot prize varies; it starts at a base amount and grows with rollovers.
Category 2 (5 numbers + Jolly): Match 5 main numbers and the Jolly number. Odds are roughly 1 in 103 million. Prize is typically the second-largest fixed payout.
Category 3 (5 numbers): Match 5 main numbers without the Jolly. Odds are around 1 in 1.75 million. Prize tier is lower than Category 2.
Category 4 (4 numbers + Jolly): Match 4 main numbers plus the Jolly. Odds are approximately 1 in 65,000. Prize is significantly smaller but still meaningful.
Category 5 (4 numbers): Match 4 main numbers. Odds are roughly 1 in 1,100. This is the tier where most players begin to see returns.
Category 6 (3 numbers): Match 3 main numbers. Odds are around 1 in 33. This tier often returns a small multiple of the ticket cost.
These odds assume standard single-play tickets. The odds of winning any prize (Category 3 through 6) are approximately 1 in 15.
Game Variants and Supplementary Plays
Beyond the standard 6-number selection, Super Enalotto tickets can include optional supplementary plays. These additions change your stake but do not alter the core draw mechanism.
Some variants allow you to select additional number combinations on the same ticket. Others bundle the standard play with bonus mechanics specific to Lottomatica's retail structure. The draw itself remains the same: 6 from 90 plus the Jolly.
Always check your ticket configuration before submission. Supplementary plays increase cost and require separate matching logic for prize determination.
Probability and Expected Value Context
Super Enalotto, like all lotteries, has a negative expected value from a mathematical standpoint. The house margin (gap between ticket cost and total prize payout) is substantial.
Approximately 50 percent of revenue goes into prize pools. The remaining 50 percent funds operator costs, regulatory fees, and national programs. This structure is standard across regulated lotteries and transparent under Italian gaming law.
If you play with a syndicate, your stake is divided among members, but so are potential winnings. Syndicate play does not improve mathematical odds; it only distributes cost and prize among multiple people. Some players use syndicate structures to increase ticket count without proportionally increasing individual spend.
The overall odds of matching any prize tier across a single play are roughly 1 in 15. This means you are mathematically expected to win something once per 15 tickets on average, though actual results vary. Prize returns for lower tiers (3 or 4 matches) rarely cover ticket cost.
History and Regulation
Super Enalotto launched in 1997 as Italy's unified national lottery system. It replaced or consolidated earlier regional games. The game is operated by Lottomatica, a state-licensed entity that holds the franchise to manage Italian national lotteries.
The ADM (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli) is the Italian authority responsible for licensing, regulating, and auditing all lottery operations. This body sets prize structures, draw protocols, and consumer protections. Draws are conducted under ADM supervision.
Super Enalotto is one of the world's largest lotteries by player base and jackpot size. Historical jackpots have exceeded 200 million euros. The game generates significant revenue for the Italian state through tax mechanisms and licensing fees.
Tax Treatment
In Italy, lottery prizes are subject to withholding tax at the point of claim. The standard rate is 8 percent for prizes below certain thresholds, with higher rates for larger amounts. This tax is typically deducted automatically; you receive the net amount after withholding.
International players should consult local tax authorities in their home jurisdiction. Prize income may be taxable under domestic law regardless of Italian withholding. Tax treatment varies by country and is not determined by the lottery operator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between matching 5 numbers and matching 5 numbers plus the Jolly?
Matching 5 main numbers plus the Jolly number qualifies you for Category 2, the second-highest prize tier. Matching 5 main numbers without the Jolly qualifies you for Category 3, which is significantly lower. The Jolly acts as a supplementary ball that upgrades your prize if you narrowly miss the jackpot. The odds differ substantially: roughly 1 in 103 million for 5 plus Jolly versus 1 in 1.75 million for 5 main alone.
How often does Super Enalotto draw?
Super Enalotto draws three times per week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. All draws occur at 20:00 CET. You must submit your ticket selection before the draw time on each day to be included in that draw.
What are my actual chances of winning any prize in Super Enalotto?
Your chances of matching at least 3 numbers (the lowest prize tier) are approximately 1 in 15 per single play. However, this includes very small returns from the 3-number and 4-number tiers, which often return less than ticket cost. Matching 5 or more numbers is far rarer; the odds drop to 1 in 1.75 million for 5 numbers and 1 in 622 million for all 6.
How is the jackpot amount determined?
Super Enalotto's jackpot (Category 1 prize) starts at a base amount set by the operator. If no one matches all 6 numbers in a draw, the jackpot rolls over into the next draw, growing larger. The actual jackpot amount available is published before each draw. Unlike some lotteries, Super Enalotto does not divide the jackpot among multiple matching tickets; the total is shared equally if multiple winners exist in a single draw.
What percentage of Super Enalotto revenue goes to prizes?
Approximately 50 percent of Super Enalotto ticket revenue is allocated to prize pools across all tiers. The remaining 50 percent covers operator expenses, regulatory fees, taxes, and contributions to Italian state programs. This split is set under Italian gaming regulations and is transparent to players.
Are there taxes on Super Enalotto winnings?
Yes. Italy applies an 8 percent withholding tax on lottery prizes at the point of claim for most award amounts. This is deducted automatically, and you receive the net amount. If you are an international player, your home country may also tax lottery winnings under its domestic law. Always check your local tax requirements.
