United Kingdom Lottery Results

United Kingdom Lottery Games

Even though lotteries in the United Kingdom have only been around since 1994 and are relatively new, they are hugely popular and attract millions of players each week.

The most popular games are run by the National Lottery, the UK's state-franchised lottery that has been licenced to Camelot since its launch in 1994. Residents of the entire United Kingdom, including the Isle of Man, can play National Lottery games.

Also, multiple privately owned and privately operated lotteries exist in addition to the National Lottery, including the Health Lottery and the People's Postcode Lottery.

EuroMillions

EuroMillions is a transnational lottery that is played in the United Kingdom and a further eight European countries.

EuroMillions has a guaranteed jackpot of at least €17 million and a jackpot cap of €200 million, with the cap growing by a further €10 million whenever the maximum prize is won.

Lotto

Originally a traditional '6 from 49' game, Lotto is the UK's main lottery game, with the format changing in October 2015 when the number of balls rose to 59.

Lotto has a guaranteed jackpot of at least £2 million on Wednesdays and at least £3.8 million on Saturdays. A rollover cap is enforced after five consecutive draws, with a 'must be won' draw held thereafter.

Thunderball

Launched in 1999, Thunderball was initially a Saturday-only game, before the addition of a Wednesday draw to mirror the Lotto schedule. In May 2010, the National Lottery introduced extra numbers to Thunderball, with the guaranteed jackpot doubling to £500,000.

The Thunderball jackpot does not roll over if there are no winners.

Lotto Hot Picks

Lotto HotPicks provides an alternative way of betting on the outcome of the main Lotto game.

Players pick between one and five numbers instead of the standard six, for a chance to win prizes ranging from £6.00 for matching one number or up to £350,000 for successfully matching all five. There are no secondary prizes.

49's

49's is an independently owned and operated lottery game that is playable at UK betting shops and on multiple UK bookmaker websites.

Participation is via Lucky Dip only, with participants able to choose the type of entry and the amount they wish to bet. UK bookmakers offer multiple types of bets, odds and other types of promotions, so remember to shop around for the most appealing deals.

The Health Lottery

The Health Lottery has a jackpot of at least £25,000, but does not roll over.

By entering the Health Lottery on Wednesday or Saturday, the five player-chosen numbers are automatically entered into an extra £100,000 jackpot-only cash draw. Every Health Lottery ticket bought throughout the month is also entered into a monthly raffle for the chance to win £250,000.

The People's Postcode Lottery

The People's Postcode Lottery launched in the UK in 2005. Unlike the UK's other lottery games that are played with a choice of numbers, a UK postcode is required for this game.

Players pay a monthly subscription fee of £10, £20 or £30 for up to three entries into each draw.

Draws take place daily, with different prizes awarded each time. At the start of each month, the People's Postcode Lottery website announces the type of daily draw, its prize structure and the potential winnings.

UK Lottery Game Schedule

The table below provides an overview of UK lottery game draw schedules.

UK Lottery Odds and Jackpots

What are the Biggest UK Lottery Wins?

So far, all of the UK's biggest lottery wins have come from the EuroMillions game:

• £170.2 million on October 8, 2019
• £161.6 million on July 12, 2011
• £148.6 million on August 10, 2012

Is Tax Paid on UK Lottery Winnings?

No; however, playing UK lottery games from overseas via lottery agent websites may require declaration of winnings for tax purposes at home.

Mobile Apps for UK Lotteries

*49's tickets can be bought on participating bookmaker apps, but not directly on the 49's app.
**As of July 2020, a People's Postcode Lottery mobile app is in development.

How to Contact UK Lottery Operators

Contact information for each lottery operator is listed below.

How Can I Purchase Lottery Tickets in the UK?

Tickets for all National Lottery games and The Health Lottery are available online or from authorized lottery retailers.

49's tickets are available from selected betting shops only.

People's Postcode Lottery tickets are only available from the official website.

Can Overseas Players Play the UK Lottery?

Yes, National Lottery games and the Health Lottery games can be played overseas via selected lottery agent websites.

How Old Do I Have to Be to Play UK Lotteries?

You must be at least 16 years of age to play most lottery games in the UK.

One notable exception is the 49's game, with participants needing to be at least 18 years of age.

How Do I Claim UK Lottery Prizes?

Players have up to 180 days to claim prizes for National Lottery games and the Health Lottery.

Smaller prizes can be claimed directly from retailers, with the lottery operator needing to be contacted for more significant amounts. For those playing online, winnings are usually paid directly into a registered online account, subject to verification checks for more substantial figures. When playing from abroad, the player-chosen lottery agent will be responsible for payouts.

49's prizes should be claimed from the betting shop where the wager was originally made.

The People's Postcode Lottery notifies winners via email and text message, with winners receiving payment via bank transfer or check.

How are the Proceeds of UK Lotteries Spent?

A significant percentage of proceeds are distributed among good causes:

• The National Lottery (28%)
• Health Lottery (20%)
• People's Postcode Lottery (32%)

However, 49's is a for-profit game, with none of the proceeds distributed to charitable causes.