ROME, January 27, 2026 — A single ticket in Italy’s popular Lotto game offers the potential to win a gross prize of up to 6 million euros, highlighting the enduring appeal of chance and fortune within the country’s gaming culture. But how does this long-standing tradition actually work?
Understanding the Italian Lotto
The Italian Lotto is a national game of numbers managed by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, offering players a chance to win substantial prizes.
The eleven wheels are named after ten regional capitals – Bari, Cagliari, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Rome, Turin, and Venice – as well as a National wheel. During each draw, five numbers are selected for each wheel.
The Extraction Process
The process of selecting the winning numbers is a carefully orchestrated event. Identical numbered balls are placed inside a mechanical urn. A jet of compressed air vigorously mixes the balls, ensuring randomness, before they are captured by a rotating niche at the urn’s edge.
To secure a win, players must correctly match two, three, four, or all five numbers drawn on their chosen wheel, depending on the type of bet placed.
- The Italian Lotto is overseen by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
- Players choose numbers between 1 and 90 on eleven different wheels.
- Five numbers are drawn for each wheel during each game.
- A maximum gross prize of 6 million euros is available per ticket.
What are the odds of winning the Lotto? While the exact probabilities vary depending on the type of bet and the number of wheels played, the Lotto offers a compelling blend of luck and strategy for Italian players.
