VIP Passes, Helipads and Chandeliers...Research Reveals How Ireland Would Spend A Monday Night Lotto Win

The first-ever Monday Lotto draw takes place today, marking the latest milestone in the biggest refresh of the National Lottery's Lotto game in years.

The new Lotto format launched on Saturday, introducing better odds of winning, more Millioniares and a new Monday draw. With the number of Lotto balls reducing from 47 to 45, the odds of winning the Jackpot have improved from 1 in 10.7 million to 1 in 8.1 million. For the first time ever, players now have three opportunities every week to win on Monday, Wednesday or Saturday.

To celebrate Lotto's first Monday draw, new research commissioned by the National Lottery reveals exactly how Irish people would react if they became Monday Millionaires overnight.

According to the research, Irish people might not tell everyone they've won the Lotto, but there certainly would be signs. A third of respondents (33%) said their Millionaire lifestyle would include a VIP pass to everything, while 26% would opt for a yacht in the driveway and 23% would install a helipad in the back garden. For 10%, Millionaire status means treating the family pet to a diamond-encrusted collar, while 8% say the ultimate Millionaire move is putting a chandelier in the downstairs bathroom.

When asked how they would spend the rest of the week if they won the Lotto on a Monday, Irish people had their plans ready. More than a quarter (27%) said they would tell their family to pack their bags and head away immediately. Nearly one in five (19%) said they would take a solo trip to let the news sink in, while others would spend their week cruising around the Mediterranean (16%) deciding what to do next.

While many dream of becoming Millionaires, Irish people remain surprisingly grounded about how they would spend their winnings and where they would live Almost half of respondents (48%) said they would stay in Ireland while 15% said they would live abroad permanently. Almost one third (27%) said they would live between Ireland and a foreign country.

More than four in ten (43%) would move house, while 36% would finally tackle the renovations they have been putting off. And if money was no object, cleaning would be one of the first things to go, with 36% saying it would be the household chore they would happily outsource, followed by DIY and home maintenance (28%).

When asked what dream they would pursue first, treating others came out on top, with almost 40% saying they would bring family and friends on a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Others would use their newfound prize to visit every continent in the world (17%) or turn a passion into a profession (15%). Interestingly, for 14% of respondents, one of the first priorities after a big win would be supporting a charity close to their heart.

When money is no object, Irish people appear to favour experiences over possessions. A round-the-world trip by private jet was the ultimate luxury experience for 34% of respondents, ahead of chartering a superyacht around the Caribbean (22%) and renting a private island (18%). Perhaps surprisingly, travelling into space appealed to just 9% of respondents, suggesting Irish people would rather see the world than leave it.

Darragh O’Dwyer National Lottery said:

"Saturday marked the beginning of a new era for Lotto, with better odds of winning, more chances to become a Millionaire and today we're delighted to celebrate the first-ever Monday Lotto draw. While it's fun to imagine helipads, yachts and VIP treatment, the research shows Irish people would remain true to themselves. Whether it's helping family, improving their home, pursuing a passion or supporting a cause close to their heart, many of the dreams people would fulfil with a Lotto win are surprisingly grounded."

The first Monday Lotto draw takes place this evening, giving players another opportunity each week to dream, play and win.

Lotto players dreaming of becoming Ireland's latest Millionaire reminded that tickets can be purchased nationwide in-store, through the National Lottery app or at www.lottery.ie ahead of the 7.45pm cut-off time for sales on Saturday evening.

Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage and the Irish Language. In total, €7 Billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 39 years ago. In 2024 alone, €239.3 Million was raised for local Good Causes in communities across Ireland.

Play National Lottery games responsibly, play for fun.