Eighty fortunate bus drivers are celebrating a significant windfall from the EuroMillions lottery, all thanks to the meticulous planning of one employee. The employees at Yardley Wood Bus Depot in Birmingham will each receive an equal share of £108,510.50, with plans to indulge in a new upstairs carpet and multiple vacations. Dennis Houghton, aged 73, who has been running the syndicate for over 17 years, orchestrated the winning strategy of playing a blend of chosen numbers and Lucky Dips.
According to Dennis, the bus company’s management was relieved that the syndicate didn’t match all the numbers, as it could have led to a shortage of drivers in Birmingham. The winning group secured their prize by matching five main numbers and one Lucky Star number in the May 22, 2026, EuroMillions draw. The syndicate was initiated in 2009 when a fellow driver proposed pooling their resources for the EuroMillions Jackpot.
The syndicate’s routine involves a mix of randomly selected Lucky Dips and numbers, with Dennis manually picking numbers from a jar before each draw. The group communicates and shares updates through a dedicated Facebook page. Despite changes in members over the years, many have remained loyal to the syndicate even after retirement, transforming the initial informal group of 24 drivers into an 80-member syndicate with a waiting list.
Dennis vividly recalls the moment he discovered their win, expressing his initial shock and surprise at the substantial amount. The winning ticket was purchased by Dennis while on holiday at Geralds Supermarket in Dawlish Warren, Devon. The syndicate’s winning ticket was one of two in the UK that matched the required numbers. The news quickly spread among the syndicate members, with Dennis fielding numerous calls from excited colleagues confirming the win.
