How to claim a National Lottery prize: deadlines, amounts and where to go
How you claim a National Lottery prize depends on the amount and on whether the ticket came from a shop or from your online account. Two things matter most: you have 180 days from the draw date, and the ticket is the only proof, so sign the back as soon as you buy it.
Ticket bought in a shop
| Prize | Where | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| up to £100 | any National Lottery retailer | paid on the spot, in cash or (in some shops) to a card |
| £100.01 to £500 | a retailer or a designated Post Office branch | shops may pay out but do not have to (they may not hold enough cash); try a larger shop or a Post Office |
| £500.01 to £50,000 | online claim (photo of the ticket and a form on the operator's site) or by post | paid by bank transfer, usually within a few working days; by post send the signed ticket with the claim form by recorded delivery to The National Lottery, PO Box 287, Watford WD18 9TT; you can also book an appointment at a regional centre (Watford or Liverpool) |
| over £50,000 | call 0333 234 50 50 | the operator arranges a meeting with an Allwyn representative, checks the ticket and your identity and pays the prize into your UK bank account; large wins usually take up to two weeks |
For any claim over £500 have photo ID (passport or driving licence) and your bank details ready. Winners of more than £50,000 are offered financial and legal advisers and are asked whether they want publicity: you can stay anonymous.
Ticket from an online account
- up to £500: paid into your player account automatically; withdraw it to the card you pay with.
- £500.01 to £30,000: once confirmed, transferred to the bank account behind your card (or your Direct Debit account).
- over £30,000: call 0333 234 44 33; prizes over £50,000 are paid after a meeting with the operator, as for shop tickets.
Prizes paid in instalments
Set For Life does not pay its top prize as a lump sum: £10,000 arrives every month for 30 years (second prize: £10,000 a month for a year) under an agreement with the operator. Powerball pays the jackpot in 30 annual instalments, the first after validation and the rest yearly and increasing; there is no cash option in the UK.
Lost, damaged or foreign tickets
Report a lost or damaged ticket to the operator as soon as possible and within 30 days of the draw, with where and when it was bought and the numbers played; the operator can trace it. A EuroMillions ticket bought in another country (on holiday in France or Spain, say) pays out only in the country of purchase, so claim before you travel back.
Prizes unclaimed after 180 days go to National Lottery good causes. We publish results and prize breakdowns but pay nothing out: always confirm a win with the operator.
See also: are lottery winnings taxed? and how to play the UK lottery.