History of Vikinglotto
Vikinglotto launched in 1993, making it one of the earliest multi-national lotteries in Europe. It began as a cooperative game between national lottery operators in the Nordic region and later expanded to include Baltic countries and Slovenia.
Draws take place every Wednesday, with players selecting 6 numbers from 1–48 plus a Viking number from 1–5.
Where Vikinglotto Is Played
Vikinglotto is operated jointly by lottery organisations across nine countries:
- Norway
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Finland
- Iceland
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Slovenia
This cross-border structure makes Vikinglotto a unique part of Europe’s lottery landscape, with shared jackpots and local add-on games in several markets which on average generates over 200,000 prize winners on every draw.
Biggest Vikinglotto Winners
€44.2 Million – Norway & Denmark (2016)
The largest Vikinglotto jackpot to date is around €44.2 million, won in 2016. Two tickets, one from Norway and one from Denmark, shared the prize, each receiving a life-changing payout.
Major National Record Wins
Several countries have seen record Vikinglotto jackpots, including:
- Norway – multiple wins above €30 million
- Denmark – a jackpot of over €32 million
- Sweden – a record win worth well over 100 million SEK
Exact amounts vary due to currency exchange rates and local payout structures, but Vikinglotto has consistently produced some of the largest lottery wins in the Nordic region.
Jackpot Structure & Limits
Vikinglotto jackpots typically start at a few million euros (or equivalent in local currency) and grow with each rollover. In recent years, a jackpot cap has been introduced to keep the game stable:
- Jackpot capped at a fixed euro amount (with local currency equivalents)
- Once the cap is reached, surplus funds can boost lower prize tiers
This structure allows Vikinglotto to offer large jackpots while maintaining predictable prize levels across all participating countries.
Key Facts About Vikinglotto
- Draw day: Wednesday
- Numbers: 6 main numbers (1–48) + 1 Viking number (1–5)
- Format: Shared jackpot across nine countries
- Extras: Optional local add-on games (e.g. Joker in some markets)
- Heritage: One of Europe’s earliest cross-border lotteries
Final Thoughts
Vikinglotto combines Nordic heritage with modern cross-border lottery play, delivering mid-week excitement and some of the biggest jackpots seen in Scandinavia and the Baltics. With its shared structure and capped jackpot system, it remains a distinctive and enduring part of Europe’s lottery scene.