Irish Lotto Bonus Ball
Beyond the six main numbers, the Irish Lotto draws a bonus ball, and the Irish game offers two optional bolt-on draws. Here is what each one does.
The bonus ball
The bonus ball is a seventh ball drawn from the same 1 to 47 pool, after the six main numbers. In the Irish game it is used to decide certain second-tier prizes — for example, a player who matched five main numbers plus the bonus ball wins a higher prize than one who matched five without it. It is drawn every Irish Lotto draw, and when you bet online it can feature as its own fixed-odds market.
Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2
The Irish game also offers two optional add-on draws, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2. In the Irish ticket game, ticking the Plus option enters your same main numbers into two extra draws held straight after the main one, each with its own six numbers and bonus ball, for additional prizes. When you bet online through Lucky Numbers you are backing the outcome of the main Irish Lotto draw at fixed odds. See the Irish Lotto guide for the full picture, or odds and payouts for how markets are priced.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Irish Lotto bonus ball?
A seventh ball drawn from the same 1 to 47 pool that decides certain second-tier prizes — for example, matching five main numbers plus the bonus ball pays more than five without it.
What are Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2?
Two optional add-on draws in the Irish game that reuse your main numbers in extra draws for more prizes. Betting online, you back the outcome of the main draw at fixed odds.