Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes when the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker creates a new UK millionaire? You are not alone. Every draw, guaranteed million-pound prizes add an extra bit of excitement for ticket holders across the nation, but how exactly does it all work?
If you have ever felt curious about how winners are selected, where those codes come from, or what your odds really are, you are in the right place.
Stick with us as we lift the lid on the Millionaire Maker, keeping things simple and clear, and making the whole process easy to follow from start to finish.

Millionaire Maker is included with every EuroMillions ticket bought in the UK, so there is nothing extra to opt in to. It runs alongside the main EuroMillions draw and awards its own guaranteed £1 million prize in the UK.
Your ticket is issued with a unique Millionaire Maker code. This is separate from the numbers you choose for EuroMillions and is provided automatically when you buy your entry.
Once sales close, all valid codes from that draw are entered into a secure system. One code is selected to decide the winner, and in promotional events, several codes may be selected.
Curious about how that code is created in the first place? That is where the generation process comes in.
When you purchase a EuroMillions ticket in the UK, the Millionaire Maker code is generated for you automatically. There is nothing to pick and you cannot change it.
The code format is usually four letters followed by five numbers, for example ABCD12345. A central system creates these combinations and ensures no two tickets in the same draw share the same code.
Your code is printed on your ticket beneath your EuroMillions numbers, and it is stored against your entry if you play online. The process is run under strict rules and technical controls so that every code is unique within the draw and every entry that has a valid code can take part on equal terms.
At each EuroMillions draw, all valid Millionaire Maker codes issued for that draw are loaded into a separate, secure draw system operated by the National Lottery.
After sales close, the system makes a single selection using independently tested randomisation procedures. Auditors oversee the process to confirm that the draw has been run correctly and fairly.
If the selected code matches yours, you are the Millionaire Maker winner and the £1 million prize is yours. There is no skill element and no decisions to make once your ticket is bought, as the outcome is determined by the random draw.
So how many codes are picked each time, and when do the bigger events happen?
Most EuroMillions draws in the UK create one Millionaire Maker winner, which means there is always at least one guaranteed £1 million prize on the night.
From time to time, special promotions are held where multiple codes are drawn in a single event. In these cases, several players become millionaires at once, each with their own separate £1 million prize.
Whether it is a standard draw or a promotional event, the selection method stays the same and every eligible code has the same chance of being chosen.
Your odds in Millionaire Maker depend on the number of UK tickets sold for that draw, because each ticket adds one code to the pool. If two million entries are sold and you have one code, your chance is 1 in 2,000,000 for that draw.
During special events, more codes are chosen, so the chance of any single code being drawn improves proportionally, although each code is still treated equally in the selection.
There is no way to influence the outcome through number choices or strategies, as Millionaire Maker uses codes that are assigned and then selected by a random draw system. Keep it sensible, set a limit that suits you, and only spend what you can afford.
Ready to see whether your ticket has landed the prize? Here is how to check quickly and safely.
To check your EuroMillions Millionaire Maker result, find the unique code printed on your ticket, usually below your main EuroMillions numbers.
After each draw, the winning code is published on the official National Lottery website and is available at National Lottery retailers. A retailer can scan your ticket and confirm the result.
If you play online or in the National Lottery app, you will usually receive an email or notification if your code matches the winning one. You can also see the result within your account, together with the code on your entry.
If your code matches, the next step is the claim.
If your ticket shows the winning Millionaire Maker code, claiming is straightforward.
For online entries, notifications and on-screen prompts explain what happens next. You will be guided through the claim process and contacted by the National Lottery team where required.
For tickets bought in a shop, keep the original ticket safe as it is your proof of entitlement. Smaller prizes can be handled at retailers, but for £1 million you will need to contact the National Lottery directly to arrange your claim.
Once you get in touch, a dedicated team will walk you through the steps so your prize can be verified and paid securely.
To claim a Millionaire Maker prize, you will be asked to prove your identity and that you are the rightful ticket holder.
Acceptable photo ID usually includes a passport or driving licence. You will also be asked to show proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement.
If you bought your ticket in a shop, you must present the original paper ticket in good condition. For online entries, your registered account details are used to verify ownership, although additional ID may still be requested.
These checks are there to protect you and ensure the prize reaches the correct person.
Winners of EuroMillions Millionaire Maker in the UK have 180 days from the draw date to claim their prize.
The deadline is the same whether the ticket was bought in a shop or online. If the claim is not made within that period, the prize money, together with any interest, is transferred to National Lottery funded projects across the UK.
To avoid missing the window, check your tickets promptly and start the claim as soon as you confirm a win.
If a Millionaire Maker prize is not claimed within 180 days, the money is not paid out later and it does not roll over. Instead, it goes to the National Lottery Good Causes fund, which supports community projects, charities, sport and the arts across the UK.
That is another reason to check entries carefully after each draw and keep any physical tickets safe. Whether claimed or unclaimed, the Millionaire Maker prize ends up making a difference, either to the winner or to good causes nationwide.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.