Friday 13th is big day for Loto

UNLUCKY Friday the 13th is not enough to put off the eight million people who are expected to take part in today's Super Loto and Euro Millions draws.

Despite its reputation as a cursed day, it is considered to be one of the luckiest days of the year for gamblers. Gaming businesses usually see double the amount of customers on Friday 13th, as supersitious French come out in force to try their luck.

This phenomenon has been rooted in French society since 1933, when the first draw of the French National Lottery took place on Friday 13.

Players who say they fear the day try their luck as a way to ward off evil. They will each bring their own rituals to influence their fate, including scratching the card in the same direction, playing in the same newsagent or always using the same lottery numbers.

The Super Loto will today have a raised jackpot of €13 million and player numbers will double from four million to eight million.