Italian SuperenalottoNo one matched the winning numbers (02-19-43-49-77-82 and Jolly Number 50) in the August 18, 2009 Italian Superenalotto draw, so the next Jackpot on Thursday, August 20th is now estimated at EU 143.9 Million.

This enormous jackpot is the highest amount ever offered in Italian history. The previous record was set in October of 2008 when a slip in Catania collected 100,765,193 euros.

The Italian game has had the highest pot in Europe for several weeks. Because the SuperEnalotto pot has reached such incredible amounts, more and more tourists and people from neighboring countries, and even further away, have been trying their luck at winning the big prize.

Not only have betting stations near Italy's northern borders been swamped by Swiss, French and Austrian wannabe millionaires, but in the past week special flights have been chartered in Germany to bring people to Italy for a just a few hours to place a bet and have a meal.

Italians have been trying for months to guess the game's winning combination and although this has driven the pot to an all-time high for Europe, it is no longer the biggest win in the world.

SuperEnalotto had reigned for weeks as the world's biggest pot but it was dethroned this month by USA Powerball, which at the weekend rose to a stratospheric $245 million or almost 174 million euros.

The advantage of the Italian game over American Powerball however is that SuperEnalotto pays out the full prize almost immediately, while US lotteries give winners the pot in long-term instalments or pays a single, reduced prize.
Italian 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.

In order to win at SuperEnalotto, betters must choose the correct six numbers drawn from one to 90. The last time there was a winner was on January 31 and since then over 2.5 billion bets have been placed, translating into a total exceeding 1.25 billion euros.

There is also a 5+1 win, in which a seventh bonus number is drawn and can be added to any five of the original six-number combination. SuperEnalotto also pays out lower division prizes 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%. Draws are held three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

To enter the next Italian Superenalotto draw NOW from anywhere in the world, visit http://osalottos.com.