The Belgian Lotto of the Nationale Loterij has been part of everyday life in Belgium since 1978: 6 numbers from 45, two draws per week and, with the bonus number, nine prize tiers in total. Since 1 May 2025 a line costs €1.50, and every line automatically takes part in an additional code draw. Here you will find the rules, all prize tiers with exact odds, the role of the guarantee fund and how the game compares with similar lotteries. As of October 2026.
📋 Belgian Lotto at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | 6 from 45 + bonus number (from the same pool) |
| Jackpot odds | 1 : 8,145,060 |
| Ticket price | €1.50 per line (since 1 May 2025; previously €1.25) |
| Draw days | Wednesday and Saturday |
| Minimum jackpot | €1 million |
| Operator | Nationale Loterij / Loterie Nationale (Brussels) |
| First draw | 4 February 1978 |
| Prize tiers | 9 (according to the rules) |
The jackpot is backed by a dedicated "guarantee fund for rank 1": part of the stakes flows into it so that every jackpot is at least €1 million and can be topped up further after a rollover.
🎯 How the Belgian Lotto Works Step by Step
The Rules
- Pick 6 numbers from 1 to 45 per line – or use the random selection (Quick Pick).
- A line costs €1.50; you can play for one or several draws in advance.
- On Wednesdays and Saturdays 7 balls are drawn: the first six are the winning numbers, the seventh is the bonus number.
- Your number of matches and whether you hold the bonus number determine the prize tier.
- Besides the main draw, every line receives a random Lucky Lotto Code for an additional draw.
If you want to cover more combinations, you can mark 7 to 15 numbers on one line (multi bet): all possible 6-number combinations are then played. 7 numbers produce 7 combinations, 8 numbers 28, 9 numbers 84 – and the stake rises accordingly.
🔑 The Special Features in Detail
🎯 The Bonus Number
The bonus number is drawn from the remaining 39 balls. It is not one of the winning numbers but splits prize tiers: 5 matches plus the bonus number put you in rank 2, without it in rank 3. The same applies to 4, 3 and 2 matches. In rank 9, 1 match plus the bonus number is even enough.
🏦 Guarantee Fund and Jackpot Rollover
According to the rules (version of 2019), 17.5 % of the stakes of each draw go into the guarantee fund for rank 1, from which the minimum jackpot of €1 million is paid. If nobody wins rank 1, the amount moves to the next draw and is increased by a further €500,000 from the fund. The Nationale Loterij may also apply a "roll-down": the jackpot is then paid out to the next lower tier with winners (at most down to rank 6). This must be announced beforehand.
🏠 The Reform of 1 May 2025
Since 1 May 2025 a line costs €1.50 instead of €1.25. In return, each line gets a Lucky Lotto Code: at least 50,000 players win something extra in every draw. In the draw on the last Saturday of each month, a budget of €750,000 for a housing project is also drawn (first draw on 31 May 2025). According to media reports, the reform also raised the fixed prizes of ranks 7 to 9; you will find the exact amounts at the Nationale Loterij.
💰 All Prize Tiers
| Rank | Matches | Odds | Share / prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Jackpot) | 6 matches | 1 : 8,145,060 | 17.50 % of stakes into the guarantee fund, min. €1 million |
| 2 | 5 + bonus number | 1 : 1,357,510 | 2.95 % of stakes |
| 3 | 5 matches | 1 : 35,724 | 2.80 % of stakes |
| 4 | 4 + bonus number | 1 : 14,290 | 1.40 % of stakes |
| 5 | 4 matches | 1 : 772 | 2.59 % of stakes |
| 6 | 3 + bonus number | 1 : 579 | 1.38 % of stakes |
| 7 | 3 matches | 1 : 48 | fixed amount |
| 8 | 2 + bonus number | 1 : 64 | fixed amount |
| 9 | 1 + bonus number | 1 : 18 | fixed amount |
We calculated the odds exactly and checked them against the official rules. The percentage shares come from the rules (version of December 2019, split equally among the winners of a tier); the 2025 reform adjusted the details of the lower tiers, which is why we do not quote the exact fixed amounts. The 2019 rules gave the overall chance of winning a prize as about 1 : 10.7; according to media reports on the 2025 reform it is now around 1 : 9.37. Always check current amounts with the Nationale Loterij.
📊 Analyze Belgian Lotto Statistics
Frequency, overdue numbers and distribution of all numbers – free and transparent.
Register for free🆚 Belgian Lotto Compared
| Lottery | Format | Jackpot odds | Price / draws per week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇪 Belgian Lotto | 6 from 45 + bonus number | 1 : 8.1 million | €1.50 / 2 |
| 🇳🇱 Nederlandse Lotto | 6 from 45 + reserve number | 1 : 8.1 million | €2.00 / 1 |
| 🇨🇭 Swiss Lotto | 6 from 42 + lucky number (1–6) | 1 : 31.5 million | CHF 2.50 / 2 |
| 🇩🇪 Lotto 6aus49 | 6 from 49 + super number (0–9) | 1 : 139.8 million (tier 1) | €1.20 / 2 |
The Belgian Lotto offers the same jackpot odds as the Nederlandse Lotto, but has two draws per week and a lower price. The minimum jackpot of €1 million is guaranteed. You can find more on the neighbouring games in our guides to the Nederlandse Lotto and Swiss Lotto. How international lotteries differ is explained in the article New International Lotteries 2026.
⚖️ Honestly: Chance Stays Chance
Every draw is an independent random event. No number is "overdue", and no strategy or AI model can predict results. How to choose numbers consciously without fooling yourself is covered in Lottery Odds Explained, Lottery Strategies: What Really Works and Most Frequent Lottery Numbers. Only play with money whose loss you can afford. This article is not legal or tax advice.
✅ Pros and Cons – Who Is the Belgian Lotto For?
- Same jackpot odds as Austria Lotto and Nederlandse Lotto (1 : 8.1 million)
- Two draws per week, €1.50 per line
- Nine prize tiers, a win with just 1 match plus the bonus number
- Guaranteed minimum jackpot of €1 million
- Jackpots are often smaller than at EuroJackpot or EuroMillions
- Price rose by 20 % in 2025 (from €1.25 to €1.50)
- Prizes of tiers 1 to 6 depend on sales and fluctuate
- From Germany only possible online via providers that you have to check yourself
Playing from Germany: From abroad, participation is usually only possible through third-party intermediary services. Check yourself whether this is permitted in your country, and verify the provider's reliability, fees and legal situation.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Belgian Lotto drawn?
Twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The Nationale Loterij sets and announces the exact times.
What is the bonus number?
The seventh ball drawn from the remaining 39 numbers. It splits prize tiers (e.g. rank 2 versus rank 3) and applies all the way down to rank 9.
Are winnings tax-free?
To our knowledge, lottery winnings are generally tax-free for private individuals in Belgium; different rules may apply to foreigners. This is not tax advice.
How do I share a win in a syndicate?
According to a VRT report (April 2026), the Nationale Loterij pays out to the holder of the ticket as a rule. Online tickets are linked to the player's name and national number, while tickets bought in a shop are not registered to a person. If you want to share a win, document the joint participation in writing beforehand, for example by e-mail or WhatsApp message. Clarify tax questions with a professional.
Can I improve my chances?
No. A multi bet covers more combinations but costs proportionally more. The probability per combination stays the same.
💡 Summary
- ✅ 6 from 45 with a bonus number, jackpot odds 1 : 8.1 million, two draws per week.
- ✅ Nine prize tiers and a minimum jackpot of €1 million via the guarantee fund.
- ✅ Since May 2025 €1.50 per line with a Lucky Lotto Code and a monthly housing budget prize.
- ⚠️ Pure chance: no strategy guarantees wins – play responsibly.
Sources: Lotto rules of the Nationale Loterij (version of December 2019) and participation rules (May 2023), press release of the Nationale Loterij of 29 April 2025, VRT Nieuws. Odds calculated exactly.