A record 30 new Lotto millionaires were created last year, according to the latest National Lottery report. The total number of people who have become Lotto millionaires since the Lottery was set up in 1987 now stands at 161.
The largest jackpot in 2000 was £5.2 million won in July and shared by two winning tickets.
Over 14 years of trading the National Lottery has generated sales of £3.6 billion. This has helped to raise more than £1 billion for distribution to sports, arts and charitable causes by the Government.
Last year’s figures show that £128.2 million was generated for good causes, a slight increase on 1999, while £203.7 million was returned to players in prizes.
The largest proportion of the money was allocated to youth, sport, recreation and amenities which benefited to the tune of £58.1 million. Arts, culture and heritage causes received £48 million, health and welfare got £25.4 million while £1.9 million went to Irish-language projects.