Dive into the World of the UK National Lottery

Overview

Lotto, run by the National Lottery, is touted as the UK's biggest millionaire-making game and to date, total prizes have exceeded an incredible £19 billion. Playing could not be any simpler. All you need to do is select six numbers from 1 to 49.

The Lotto draw takes place every Wednesday and Saturday and six numbers (called the main numbers) are drawn, along with one additional number which is known as the 'bonus number'. You need to match all six main numbers to be the jackpot winner. However, you can also win a prize by matching a minimum of three numbers to the main numbers drawn. The bonus number only comes into play when you match five main numbers and the bonus number. The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 54. Lotto costs £1 per every line you choose to play.

If the jackpot isn't won after four consecutive draws, the final jackpot will be shared out between the  players who match five of the six main numbers drawn plus the bonus number.

Lottery Schedule

Drawings for this lotto are held on Wednesday, Saturday

How to Play

On the Lotto playslip, you will see a number of boxes which are called 'boards'. Simply select your six numbers by marking them. Alternatively, you can ask for a 'Lucky Dip' and let the Lotto terminal choose your numbers at random. Then mark which draw (Wednesday, Saturday or both) you wish to enter. You can also choose to play the same sets of numbers for up to eight weeks.

It is possible also to play online after you have opened a National Lottery Account.

Lotto costs £1 per line to play.

Lottery age Limit

You have to be over the age of 18 to participate.

Participating Countries

The following countries participate in The National Lottery UK: UK.

Prize Structure

There are five prize divisions which are as follows:

1. matching six main numbers wins the jackpot
2. matching five main plus the bonus ball 
3. matching five main numbers 
4. matching four main numbers 
5. matching three main numbers will always win £10, except in the extremely unlikely event that the Prize Fund is insufficient to give all winners £10 each. If this happens, the Prize Fund for that week will be split equally between all prize winners.

The exact value of the prizes for divisions 1 through 4 are pari-mutuel and thus depend on the number of tickets sold and the number of people who match the same numbers.

Grand Prize

£100,000 Pound.

Jackpots

If the six numbers you chose match the six main numbers that are drawn (disregard the order in which they were drawn) you win the jackpot. Don't forget that if you match five numbers, look out for the seventh 'bonus number' as this gives you the chance to win the second prize.

Notable Wins

Average Lotto Jackpot prize is around is £6.3 million. To date, the biggest jackpot has been £42,008,610 which was won on 6 June 1996.

Distribution of Revenue

On average, 45 per cent of Lotto sales will be paid out in prizes to players. If no-one matches the six main numbers drawn, no-one wins the jackpot prize and it is rolled over into the next draw. If the jackpot isn't won after four consecutive draws, the final jackpot will be shared out between players who match five of the six main numbers drawn plus the bonus number in the fourth draw. 
Since the National Lottery began, more than £24 billion has been donated towards good causes benefiting the community. 28p of every £1 is added to the National Lottery Distribution Fund, which is a pool of money allocated to arts, sports and charities that bid for it.