France Lotto

The France Lotto, also known as French Loto, is one of the most famous national lotteries in Europe. Over the years, it has also gained quite a following among African players especially those who enjoy international lucky number games.

History of France Lotto

French Lotto is one of the oldest and most recognized lottery draws in Europe. It was officially introduced in 1976 by Française des Jeux (FDJ), the national lottery operator in France. The first version of this game involved betting on 6 numbers and winning the jackpot required matching all 6 numbers.

In 2008, the structure of the game was updated to add more excitement. Today, players choose 5 main numbers along with 1 Lucky Number. This change not only increased the size of the jackpots but also created more prize tiers giving players extra chances to claim prizes.

The minimum jackpot was set at €2 million with rollovers increasing the prize each time there was no winner. The game has produced jackpots reaching over €20 million, changing lives of many players. While the official tickets are only sold in France, the draws attract worldwide attention.

Across Africa, its popularity grew through bookmakers who introduced ‘Lucky Numbers’ betting. In this version, players can place bets on the outcome of the French draw without needing an official ticket, making the famous game more accessible to international audiences.

France Lotto Draw Schedule

The French Lotto is drawn 3 times every week in Paris, France at 8:30 PM CET on the following days:

• Monday evening
• Wednesday evening
• Saturday evening

For players in Africa, the results of the French Lotto are usually posted shortly after the official draw in France. Because of the time difference, the updates often come late at night but most bookmakers make sure to publish the winning numbers online without much delay.

France Lotto Rules in Africa

For African players, the France Lotto is played differently from the official version in France. Instead of buying a ticket, you place bets on the outcome of the French draw through a bookmaker’s Lucky Numbers section.

To play, you can bet on a minimum of 1 number or maximum of 5 numbers from a pool of 1 to 49 numbers. Some bookmakers also allow extra betting options like predicting the Lucky Number from 1 to 10 numbers or choosing whether the result will be odd, even, high, or low.

Once you’ve chosen your numbers, you decide on the stake which is the amount of money you want to wager. The potential payout depends on both your stake and the odds offered by the bookmaker. Unlike the official French Lotto, there are no fixed prizes or jackpots in Africa. Instead, your winnings are calculated as stake x odds which means payouts can differ from one bookmaker to another.

To win, all the numbers you have selected must appear in the official France Lotto draw. For example, if you bet on 3 numbers, you only win if all three are drawn.

France Lotto Plus Draw

The Plus Draw is an optional feature that some African bookmakers offer alongside the main France Lotto. When you choose to join this, your selected numbers are automatically entered into the Plus Draw as well, giving you an extra chance to win prizes without having to pick new numbers.

The Plus Draw usually offers fixed-odds payouts which tend to be slightly better for lower numbers bets. Any winnings from the Plus Draw are added on top of what you might win in the main draw making it a popular way to increase your chances of winning with the same bet.

Playing France Lotto in Africa

Here’s a simple guide to playing France Lotto in Africa:

Getting Started

Begin by picking and signing up at a reliable online bookmaker that offers France Lotto. You can usually find this game under the ‘Lucky Numbers’ section of betting websites. Always make sure the site is licensed to guarantee safe play and secure payouts.

Betting on Your Lucky Numbers

In every round of France Lotto, 5 numbers from 1 to 49 are drawn randomly. Depending upon your risk appetite, you can bet on even 1 number which will give a low payout or bet on 3 to 5 numbers with less winning possibility but high payouts. Some bookmakers also let you place side bets like guessing the Lucky Number (from 1 to 10) or whether the outcome will be odd, even, high, or low.

Deciding Your Stake

Decide on the amount you want to wager known as your stake. Your potential winnings depend directly on this amount. Confirm your bet with the bookmaker before the cut-off time for the draw.

Checking Results and Collecting Winnings

You can check the official results on the bookmaker’s website where you placed your bet. If your numbers match the France Lotto draw, the bookmaker will pay your winnings directly. Your prize is calculated by multiplying your stake by the bookmaker’s odds which you’ll see before placing your bet. Unlike in France, where jackpots are shared between winners, African bookmakers pay you the full amount no matter how many others picked the same numbers.

Odds of Winning in France Lotto

Here’s a simple odds of winning table for France Lotto in Africa. Since most bookmakers allow betting on 1 to 5 numbers, the table shows approximate chances:

Numbers Chosen	Main Draw Odds of Winning	Plus Draw Odds of Winning
1 number	1 in 10	1 in 8
2 numbers	1 in 98	1 in 85
3 numbers	1 in 1,144	1 in 1,000
4 numbers	1 in 28,710	1 in 25,000
5 numbers	1 in 1,906,884	1 in 1,600,000

France Lotto FAQs

1. Do I need an official French Lotto ticket to win?

No. African players bet on the outcome of the official French draw through bookmakers and winnings are paid based on fixed odds.

• How often is the France Lotto draw?

The draw takes place three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings.