Belgian Friends Strike Gold With €123 Million EuroMillions Jackpot
A close-knit group of twenty-one friends from Belgium is celebrating an extraordinary windfall this week after securing a monumental €123 million (£100 million) EuroMillions jackpot. The syndicate, which plays together selectively, has become the centre of international attention following their life-changing win.
Winner's Poignant Reflection: Health Trumps Fortune
Amid the celebrations, one syndicate member, Fernand from Zingem, offered a heartfelt and sobering perspective. "I would have preferred to be in good health," he revealed, discussing his €5.8 million (£5 million) share of the prize. "I've been fighting for years, and I would have preferred to be in good health rather than have this large sum of money."
Fernand explained he has faced significant health challenges over the past eighteen months. Despite this, he finds solace in the win's potential to benefit his family. "With this money, we can at least make our children and grandchildren happy," he added, underscoring the familial joy the fortune can bring.
Strategic Play and Local Bakery Ticket Purchase
Fellow syndicate member Éric detailed their calculated approach to the lottery. "We only play when the jackpot exceeds €100 million," he stated, noting they skipped Tuesday's draw prior to their Friday victory. Each of the twenty-one participants contributed five euros, registering four tickets at the Taerwe bakery, a local establishment in their community.
Bakery owner Redgy Taerwe received an early morning call to join the winners for a champagne toast. "I had to hurry to get to the bakery on time, because at 2:30 am duty called," he told Flemish media. While delighted for his customers, Redgy expressed a tinge of personal regret. "Unfortunately, I'm not part of the group," he admitted, respecting the winners' privacy by declining to reveal their identities.
Belgium's Recent EuroMillions Success Streak
This win marks the second time in consecutive months that the EuroMillions jackpot has landed in Belgium. In December, another fortunate Belgian player collected a staggering €142 million (approximately £123 million), highlighting a remarkable streak of luck for the nation, which is roughly half the size of Scotland.
In contrast, the United Kingdom's most recent winner claimed their prize in October 2025, representing the third British victory of that year. Notable UK wins included an £83 million jackpot in January and a £65 million Valentine's Day prize, with both winners opting for anonymity.
The Sad Reality of Unclaimed Lottery Millions
The article also sheds light on the surprising phenomenon of unclaimed lottery prizes. In 2024, a player from Wales tragically missed out on a £1 million EuroMillions prize after failing to claim within the 180-day deadline. The funds were subsequently redirected to support National Lottery-funded projects across the country.
Andy Carter of the National Lottery commented on the incident, noting, "Unfortunately, I can confirm that the ticket-holder did not come forward within the deadline to claim their prize. However, the money will now add to the £30m raised each week for National Lottery-funded projects."
The record for the largest unclaimed EuroMillions prize in the UK remains a colossal £63.8 million from June 2012, serving as a stark reminder to winners to promptly check their tickets.
