What is France Lotto? FDJ's flagship draw explained
France Lotto is the national lottery draw run by FDJ, the French state lottery operator. Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evening, millions of players in France and worldwide participate in one of Europe's most established lottery games, picking five numbers from 1 to 49 and a bonus Chance number from 1 to 10.
What is France Lotto
France Lotto is FDJ's flagship draw, operated by Francaise des Jeux, the national lottery company of France. Players select five numbers from a pool of 1 to 49, plus one additional Chance number between 1 and 10, creating a simple two-tier draw format that has remained stable for decades. The draw happens three times per week in Paris, and results are verified against FDJ's official publication.
The FDJ and France's national lottery
FDJ (Francaise des Jeux) is France's national lottery operator, responsible for regulating and running the country's official lottery draws. The organization manages all sanctioned lottery games in France, including France Lotto, and publishes results within minutes of each draw. As France's sole official lottery provider, FDJ operates under strict government oversight and publishes all results on its official platform for transparency.
The 5-49 plus Chance format explained
To play France Lotto, you select five numbers from 1 to 49 and one Chance number from 1 to 10. On draw nights, FDJ draws five winning numbers and one Chance number in the same range. Match all five main numbers and the Chance number to win the jackpot; match fewer numbers or only the Chance to win lower prize tiers. The Chance number acts as a separate prize division, allowing even tickets that miss the main five to still return a payout.
What the Chance number does
The Chance number is a bonus draw number that runs from 1 to 10. If your Chance number matches the drawn Chance number, you win a fixed prize regardless of whether your other five numbers match. This means that even if you miss all five main numbers, matching the Chance alone returns your stake, making every ticket a two-way bet.
When France Lotto draws happen
Draws occur every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at approximately 20:20 Paris time. During French daylight saving time (March to October), this translates to 20:20 SAST in South Africa; during winter months (November to February), French draws align with 21:20 SAST. Results are published by FDJ within minutes of each draw, and our site publishes every result shortly after, verified against FDJ's official publication.
How South Africans participate
The FDJ website (fdj.fr) is not accessible for ticket purchases from South Africa. Instead, South African players bet fixed-odds wagers on the draw outcome with licensed local bookmakers. YesPlay, a Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board licensed bookmaker (Licence 10180204-013), offers France Lotto betting to players aged 18 and above. Players wager in rands on the outcome of each draw rather than purchasing tickets directly from FDJ. This legal, licensed approach allows South Africans to participate in France Lotto draws without purchasing tickets abroad. Read our how to play guide for step-by-step instructions on placing your first bet.
Results and verification
France Lotto results are published by FDJ moments after each draw closes. Our site publishes today's results, verified against FDJ's official publication, ensuring you always have access to the official outcome. Check our results history to look up past draws or track patterns over time. Whether you bet with a local bookmaker or track results for interest, you can rely on results published here as a direct reference to FDJ's official data.
The odds of winning
The odds of matching all five numbers plus the Chance number are 1 in 19,068,840. This means a jackpot-winning ticket is extremely rare, though the layered prize structure means players who match some (but not all) numbers, or who match only the Chance, still receive payouts. The odds of matching only the Chance number and returning your stake are 1 in 10, making that tier accessible to regular players.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Chance number in France Lotto?
The Chance number is a bonus draw number between 1 and 10. If your chosen Chance number matches the drawn Chance number, you win a fixed prize equivalent to your original stake, regardless of whether your other five numbers match. This means every ticket has a 1-in-10 shot at breaking even.
When do France Lotto draws take place?
Draws happen every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at approximately 20:20 Paris time. In South African time, that is 20:20 SAST during French summer (March-October) and 21:20 SAST during French winter (November-February). Results are published by FDJ within minutes.
Can I legally play France Lotto from South Africa?
Yes, you can participate through licensed South African bookmakers like YesPlay, which holds a valid Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board Bookmaker Licence (10180204-013). Players aged 18 and above place fixed-odds bets on the draw outcome in rands. The fdj.fr website itself is not accessible from South Africa, but legal betting options are available through licensed operators.
What are my odds of winning the France Lotto jackpot?
The odds of matching all five numbers plus the Chance number are 1 in 19,068,840. This is an extremely long shot. However, you can win smaller prizes by matching fewer numbers, and there is a 1-in-10 chance of matching only the Chance number and recovering your stake.
How do you verify France Lotto results?
Results are published by FDJ moments after each draw closes. We publish every result verified against FDJ's official publication, giving you a trusted reference for the official outcome. This direct tie to FDJ's published data ensures accuracy.