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What Happens If Two People Win the Jackpot?
It’s a surprisingly common outcome on big draws: more than one winning ticket. So what happens to the jackpot then? Here’s how sharing works.
The jackpot is shared
If two or more tickets match all the numbers, the jackpot is divided equally between them. Two winners get half each; ten winners get a tenth each. Each winner still receives their share completely tax-free.
Why sharing happens
Shared jackpots are more likely when lots of people pick the same popular patterns — birthdays (numbers 1–31), sequences, or “lucky” numbers. When a common combination wins, it’s split many ways.
Can you reduce the chance of sharing?
You can’t change your odds of winning, but choosing less common numbers — including those above 31 — can mean sharing with fewer people if you do win. Lower prize tiers are also shared among winners at that level for some games. See the most common lottery numbers, the Lotto prize breakdown and how lottery winners are paid.
Frequently asked questions
Is the lottery jackpot shared if more than one person wins?
Yes — the jackpot is divided equally between all winning tickets.
How is a shared jackpot split?
Equally per winning ticket — two winners get half each, ten get a tenth each.
Can I avoid sharing?
You can’t control it, but avoiding common patterns like birthdays reduces the chance of sharing.
Related guides: the most common lottery numbers, the Lotto prize breakdown and how lottery winners are paid.