Europe
Unlike in the United States, where lottery wins are taxed, and the winnings paid through an annuity, unless a lump sum (if allowed) is chosen by the winner(s), European jackpots are generally tax-free (the lotteries themselves are taxed in other ways) and jackpots are paid in lump sum. For example, in the United Kingdom's National Lottery, wagers are split between game operator Camelot Group and the government, with Camelot distributing some of the money for prizes, some for operating costs, a small amount (about 0.5 penny of each ₤1) for profit, some into their 'good causes' programme, with the remainder going to the government as tax; VAT however, is not due.
- Examples of largest jackpots in specific European lotteries
- £161.7 million (US$260 million) was the largest jackpot and single-ticket jackpot in the pan-European EuroMillions, won on 12 July 2011 in the UK.
- €147.8 million (US$205 million) was the largest single-ticket jackpot in Italy's SuperEnalotto lottery, won on 22 August 2009 in Bagnone (Toscana).
- €45.4 million (US$67 million) was the largest jackpot in Germany's Lotto 6 aus 49, won in December 2007 by three tickets.
- €37.7 million (US$48 million) was the largest single-ticket jackpot in the German Lotto 6 aus 49, won on 7 October 2006.
- £42 million (US$65 million) was the largest jackpot in the United Kingdom's Lotto, won on 6 January 1996 by three tickets.
- £22.6 million (US$36 million) was the largest single-ticket jackpot won on the UK Lotto game in June 1995 on a ticket purchased by Paul Maddison, from Hastings, East Sussex, and friend Mark Gardiner.
- €30 million (US$31 million) was the largest jackpot in France's SuperLoto, won in May 2006 by two tickets.
- €24 million (US$35 million) was the largest single-ticket jackpot in the French SuperLotto, won on 6 June 2011.
- €19 million (US$30 million) was the largest jackpot and largest single-ticket jackpot in Ireland's Lotto, won on 28 June 2008 by a group of sixteen work colleagues at a quarry and concrete plant in County Carlow.
- €12,2 million (US$15,7 million) was the largest jackpot in Finland's Lotto of Veikkaus, won in October 2012 by one ticket.
- €10 million (US$15 million) was the largest jackpot in Belgium's Loterie Nationale/Nationale Loterij, won in February 2008 by ten tickets.
- €7 million (US$9 million) was the largest single-ticket jackpot in the Belgian Loterie Nationale/Nationale Loterij, won in October 2006.
Read more about this topic: Lottery Jackpot Records
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—John Dos Passos (1896–1970)
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