Switzerland - Swiss Lotto

Swiss Lotto

Lotto is Switzerland’s national lottery game, which is also played in neighbouring Liechtenstein.

Lotto draws are held twice weekly on Wednesdays at 19:00 and Saturdays at 17:00 local time.

Tickets cost CHF 2.50.

To play, choose six main numbers between 1 and 42, plus a Lucky Number between 1 and 6, or go for a Quick Pick for numbers generated at random.

It is possible to enter all six Lucky Numbers at once by choosing 8 main numbers out of a maximum possible 10, which is a great way to improve the odds, but makes the cost of entry much more expensive.

System Entry is also available.

Participants can play the Joker game up to three times per ticket at an extra cost of CHF 2.00 per entry, to win the Joker jackpot by matching all six randomly generated digits in the order they are drawn.

Every ticket is entered into the Replay game at no extra cost, with players who match the Replay number winning a free Quick Pick entry into the next draw.

Jackpot

Lotto has a minimum guaranteed jackpot of CHF 1,500,000.

This is a rollover lottery that is not capped, which has led to huge jackpot wins in the past.

The biggest Lotto wins to date are:

• CHF 48.6 million in December 2014.
• CHF 45.5 million in August 2020.
• CHF 37.7 million in March 2021.

Odds and Prizes

The odds of winning the Lotto jackpot are 1 in 31,474,716, with additional chances of winning prizes at eight different tiers.

Payout and Taxes

Players have six months to claim winnings, with jackpot prizes paid out as lump sums only.

Prizes below CHF 1,000 are tax free, with winnings above this amount being subject to income tax at 35%.

Those playing Lotto from overseas should also check local tax laws to find out if prizes need to be declared at home.

Who Can Play Lotto?

Players must be at least 18 years of age to buy Lotto tickets in Switzerland.

Lotto tickets can be purchased across Switzerland and in Liechtenstein from authorized retailers or on the official SwissLos website.

Players from abroad can enter Lotto online via selected Lottery Agent websites.

History of Lotto

Lotto was launched in 1970 by SwissLos, who continues to operate the game today.

Originally, Lotto used a 6/40 format, before changing to a 6/42 game in 1986. It adopted its current format in 2013.

The Joker game option was introduced in 1988, with the midweek draw added in 1997.