How Long Are Lottery Tickets & Scratch Cards Valid For?
It can be easy to forget about a lottery ticket or scratch card, especially if it has been put somewhere safe and then misplaced. You might find it weeks or months later and wonder if it can still be used.
With various games and ways to play, it might be difficult to know how long you have to claim a potential prize. Whether tickets are bought in a shop or online, it could be useful to understand the relevant timeframes.
If you’re curious about the timeframe of validity for scratchcards and lottery tickets, read on.
Do Lottery Tickets Expire?
All UK lottery tickets have a time limit for claiming prizes. For National Lottery draw games, you have 180 days from the draw date to claim any prize. This applies whether tickets were purchased in a shop or online.
The 180-day period starts from the date of the draw, not the date of purchase. This applies to games such as Lotto, EuroMillions, Set For Life, Thunderball, and other National Lottery draws.
Paper tickets need to be kept safe, as they are required when making a claim. Online prizes are usually paid directly into your account if your entry is a winner.
To avoid issues, it might be helpful to check tickets well before the claim deadline. The National Lottery website or local retailers can provide further information.
How To Know If Your Ticket Is Still Valid
To check if your lottery ticket or scratch card is still valid for a prize claim, look at the date printed on it. Lottery tickets show the draw date. Scratch card details about when the game closes can be found on the National Lottery website or at customer service points in shops.
Retailers have machines that can scan tickets or scratch cards to confirm if they are winners and whether they are still within the claim period. For online players, logging into your official National Lottery account will display the status of tickets or scratch cards held.
If dates are unclear or information is missing, contacting the National Lottery customer service team might be useful.
Scratch Card Validity – What Most Players Don’t Realise
Scratch cards do not remain valid indefinitely. Generally, prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the game closing date rather than the purchase date.
Details about current and closed scratch card games can be checked online or in shops. Sometimes scratch cards may still be on sale after the game has closed, so it is helpful to check whether a game is still valid before purchasing.
For a claim to be accepted, the scratch card must be intact with all important codes visible. Cards that are damaged or unclear may not be eligible for prize claims.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long To Claim?
If a prize claim is made after the 180-day period, it will not be accepted, even with proof of purchase.
Unclaimed prize funds are allocated to good causes across the UK. This process is managed by the National Lottery operator following legal requirements.
Online winnings that are not claimed within the deadline do not appear in accounts. Retail staff and customer service cannot process claims beyond the expiry date.
Once the claim period has passed, the ticket or scratch card holds no further value for prizes.
Can Old Or Damaged Scratch Cards Still Be Cashed In?
If a scratch card is torn, faded, or otherwise damaged, certain conditions apply for a claim to be considered.
The card must be sufficiently readable. Key areas such as the barcode, game panel, and security codes need to be intact for a retailer or the National Lottery to accept a claim.
If you find an old or damaged scratch card that appears to be within the claim period, contacting the National Lottery directly may be necessary. You might be asked to send the card for examination. Whether a claim is successful depends on the card’s condition and verifiability.
Retailers cannot authorise claims for damaged cards. These must be managed by the National Lottery’s official channels and success is not guaranteed.
Keeping tickets and scratch cards in good condition may help when making a claim.
Players should always remember to gamble responsibly and within their means- never wager more than you can afford to lose.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.