In a statement, the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML), which has the state monopoly on lotteries in Portugal, "the increase in the maximum value of the jackpot to 200 million euros (currently at 190 million euros) is the main Euromilhões news."

"If this amount is reached, it can remain for five consecutive draws without the first prize being awarded,” the statement continues. “But if the jackpot of 200 million [euros] comes out, in the next cycle the maximum amount will increase to 210 million, and the same mechanism will be repeated, successively, in installments of 10 million, up to the maximum amount of 250 million."

The reformulation of prizes, agreed by the 10 European operators involved in this international lottery, is among the novelties associated with the change in image for Euromilhões, which will be visible on tickets from the 4 February draw onwards.

"The new life of Euromilhões also includes the probability of higher and more frequent jackpots and the annual holding of three promotional lotteries with Minimum Guaranteed Super Jackpot, which will offer prizes of 130 million euros (or approximately)," the statement reads.

The format of the game, however, remains unchanged: gamblers must with each bet continue to choose five numbers and two stars, and the minimum bet remains at €2.50, which includes the weekly draw of the "M1LHÃO" game. The chances of winning any prize at all remain one in 13.

The first draw of this format will take place on 4 February, with betting beginning on 29 January with a new ticket and a new image, although current tickets remain valid. To mark the launch week, the first Guaranteed Minimum Super Jackpot of the year is to take place on 7 February, for a maximum prize of €130 million, for which bets can be placed from 1 February.

Euromilhões was launched on 13 February 2004 in Spain, France and the UK (as EuroMillions), with Portugal, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg joining on 2 October that year. The first draw in Portugal took place on 8 October 2004.