Once again, there were NO jackpot winners in the August 4, 2009 Italian Superenalotto draw. The winning numbers were 04-08-51-72-74-88 and Jolly Number 85.

The next Jackpot on Thursday, August 6th is now estimated at 119 Million Euros - a new record for Italy's most popular game.

There has been no game winner since the end of January for a record 79 draws which has made the SuperEnalotto pot the second-highest ever offered in Europe.

The all-time record pot in Europe is 126 million euros, won in Spain last May, but if SuperEnalotto continues to snub Lady Luck it will break that threshold next week.

The SuperEnalotto pot broke its previous record of some 100.7 million euros, won in October 2008, two weeks ago and it has for some time been highest offered in the world. The second-highest pot currently up for grabs is the one for the USA Powerball game, which is offering $138 million.

However, the Italian game has a big advantage over the American one because it pays out the full prize almost immediately, while in US winners receive the pot in long-term instalments or a single, reduced prize.

Furthermore, SuperEnalotto winners also receive interest on their winnings from the time they redeem their slips to when they receive full payment, which usually takes two months for big payouts.

ONLY SIX CORRECT NUMBERS ARE NEEDED TO WIN.

In order to win at SuperEnalotto betters must choose the correct six numbers drawn from one to 90. Draws are held three times a week: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The game also offers a big payout for a so-called 5+1 win in which an extra, seventh number is drawn and can be matched up with any five of the six winning numbers. Minor prizes are also paid out for five, four and three correct guesses.

SuperEnalotto, which made its debut in December 1997, has been a boon for Italy's state coffers which receive 49.5% of all bets made, far more than other national betting games which pay the Treasury between 20% and 25%.

The pool itself receives 38% of bets, slip vendors receive 8% and game organizers Sisal take a 4.4% cut.

In the first seven months of the year, the game raked in more than 1.7 billion euros, which meant the state earned some 850 million euros, far more than the 500 million euros it received in 2008.

To play this historic lottery now from anywhere in the world, visit www.osalottos.com.

Source: http://ansa.it