If you’re thinking about playing a lottery in the UK, you might have a few questions before getting started.
With several games available, each offering different ways to potentially win and varying prize structures, it can be useful to understand how they work.
This guide will walk you through the main UK draw-based lottery games, including the Lotto, EuroMillions, Thunderball, and Set For Life. You’ll learn how each game is structured, what the odds are, and what you might expect if you take part.
This guide is written for beginners. You don’t need to know anything about gambling or how lotteries work. Everything will be explained clearly.
Whether you’re curious about how lottery numbers are chosen, or just want to know which game offers you more chances to possibly win, this guide can help you make sense of it all.
How Many UK Lotteries Are There?
In the UK, there are various draw-based lottery games available under the National Lottery. These are officially licensed and operated by Allwyn Entertainment UK, under the oversight of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Each game works differently, with unique draws, odds, and possible prize types.
Here are the main ones:
Lotto: This is the main draw-based game in the UK. Draws take place twice a week—on Wednesday and Saturday. You pick six numbers from 1 to 59.
EuroMillions: A pan-European game available in the UK. Tickets are priced in £s, but the game is played across multiple countries. You pick five main numbers from 1 to 50 and two additional numbers, known as “Lucky Stars”, from 1 to 12.
Set For Life: Instead of offering a single jackpot, this game pays a fixed monthly amount over a long period. Players select five numbers from 1 to 47 and a “Life Ball” from 1 to 10.
Thunderball: Known for smaller top potential prizes, but relatively better odds than some other games. Players choose five main numbers from 1 to 39 and one Thunderball from 1 to 14.
Lotto HotPicks and EuroMillions HotPicks: These are separate games that use the same drawn numbers as the Lotto or EuroMillions, but allow you to choose how many numbers to match. The more numbers you pick and match, the bigger the potential prize.
There are also scratchcards and instant win games. These are different from draw-based lotteries, as outcomes are revealed almost immediately. These games have separate odds and potential prize rules, which are usually printed on the cards or available online.
Each lottery has its own style, price per ticket, prize structure, and odds. You can check the full terms and conditions for each game on the official National Lottery website.
Which UK Lottery Has The Best Odds?
The odds in any lottery refer to how likely it is that a certain outcome will happen, such as matching a set of numbers. They are fixed for each game and do not change based on previous results.
Here’s how the main UK lotteries compare when it comes to odds of potentially winning any prize, and winning the top prize:
Lotto:
Odds of winning any prize: approximately 1 in 9.3
Odds of winning the jackpot (match 6): around 1 in 45,057,474
EuroMillions:
Odds of winning any prize: around 1 in 13
Odds of winning the jackpot (match 5 + 2 Lucky Stars): 1 in 139,838,160
Thunderball:
Odds of winning any prize: approximately 1 in 13
Odds of winning the top prize of £500,000: 1 in 8,060,598
Set For Life:
Odds of winning any prize: roughly 1 in 12.4
Odds of winning the top monthly prize (£10,000 every month for 30 years): 1 in 15,339,390
Lotteries are random games of chance, which means every ticket has the same probability of winning, regardless of any patterns or strategies used.
Breakdown of UK Lottery Prizes
Each lottery game has its own potential prize structure. Prizes depend on how many of your chosen numbers match the numbers drawn. Some games offer fixed payouts, while others can roll over, meaning the prize increases if no one wins.
Lotto: Prizes start by matching just two numbers, which gives you a free Lotto Lucky Dip. Match three or more, and you can win cash amounts. The jackpot is for matching all six numbers, and if no one wins it, the prize rolls over to the next draw.
EuroMillions: This game has 13 prize tiers. You can win by matching as few as two numbers. The jackpot begins at around €17 million (paid in pounds in the UK) and can rise to a maximum of €250 million. Once it hits that cap, it can remain there for up to four draws before it must be won.
Thunderball: Prizes are fixed amounts, which means you’ll know in advance how much each combination pays. The top prize of £500,000 is the same no matter how many people win. Smaller prizes are paid for matching fewer numbers, starting from just the Thunderball.
Set For Life: This game is different in that the top prize is paid as a monthly amount—£10,000 every month for 30 years. Other prize levels are paid as one-off cash payments. The amount you could potentially win depends on how many numbers you manage to match.
For any game, you can find the full prize table and conditions on the National Lottery website. It may be a good idea to read these before buying a ticket, so you know how the game works and what the prizes involve.
Which UK Lottery Is Best To Play?
There isn’t a single “best” lottery that suits everyone. It depends on what you personally find appealing. Each game offers a different type of experience, and what feels worthwhile to one person might not matter as much to someone else.
If you’re drawn to the largest jackpots, EuroMillions tends to offer the highest top prizes, though these usually come with the longest odds.
The Lotto may appeal to you if you prefer a game with lower potential jackpots, but more frequent UK-only draws.
If you’re looking at lotteries with shorter odds for a fixed top prize, the Thunderball has one of the more favourable probabilities compared to other main UK draw-based games.
For those who like the possibility of receiving money in smaller, regular amounts instead of a lump sum, Set For Life offers a unique structure.
Because each game works differently, you may want to compare the odds, ticket prices, and possible prize formats to see what matches what you’re looking for. There’s no system that can guarantee a win, so choosing a lottery is more about what fits your preferences.
Should You Play The Lottery?
Choosing whether or not to play the lottery is a personal decision. For many people, it’s a light form of entertainment and a way to try something different. Others may simply enjoy following the draws or taking part with friends, family, or colleagues.
All UK National Lottery games are based entirely on chance. This means the numbers are drawn randomly, and the outcome of each ticket is unpredictable. There’s no strategy or number combination that can change the odds in your favour.
If you decide to play, it can help to set a clear limit on how much you’re happy to spend and stick to it. Gambling should never be seen as a way to make money or solve financial problems. If you ever feel concerned about how much time or money you’re spending, support is available. Organisations like GamCare, BeGambleAware, and the National Gambling Helpline offer free advice and help.
Before you enter any lottery draw, it may be worth checking the official rules and understanding the odds. This helps you take part in a way that’s more informed. Whether you play or not is entirely up to you. What matters is that the decision is yours and that you’re comfortable with how you take part.
*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.
**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.
If you’re thinking about playing a lottery in the UK, you might have a few questions before getting started.
With several games available, each offering different ways to potentially win and varying prize structures, it can be useful to understand how they work.
This guide will walk you through the main UK draw-based lottery games, including the Lotto, EuroMillions, Thunderball, and Set For Life. You’ll learn how each game is structured, what the odds are, and what you might expect if you take part.
This guide is written for beginners. You don’t need to know anything about gambling or how lotteries work. Everything will be explained clearly.
Whether you’re curious about how lottery numbers are chosen, or just want to know which game offers you more chances to possibly win, this guide can help you make sense of it all.
How Many UK Lotteries Are There?
In the UK, there are various draw-based lottery games available under the National Lottery. These are officially licensed and operated by Allwyn Entertainment UK, under the oversight of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Each game works differently, with unique draws, odds, and possible prize types.
Here are the main ones:
Lotto: This is the main draw-based game in the UK. Draws take place twice a week—on Wednesday and Saturday. You pick six numbers from 1 to 59.
EuroMillions: A pan-European game available in the UK. Tickets are priced in £s, but the game is played across multiple countries. You pick five main numbers from 1 to 50 and two additional numbers, known as “Lucky Stars”, from 1 to 12.
Set For Life: Instead of offering a single jackpot, this game pays a fixed monthly amount over a long period. Players select five numbers from 1 to 47 and a “Life Ball” from 1 to 10.
Thunderball: Known for smaller top potential prizes, but relatively better odds than some other games. Players choose five main numbers from 1 to 39 and one Thunderball from 1 to 14.
Lotto HotPicks and EuroMillions HotPicks: These are separate games that use the same drawn numbers as the Lotto or EuroMillions, but allow you to choose how many numbers to match. The more numbers you pick and match, the bigger the potential prize.
There are also scratchcards and instant win games. These are different from draw-based lotteries, as outcomes are revealed almost immediately. These games have separate odds and potential prize rules, which are usually printed on the cards or available online.
Each lottery has its own style, price per ticket, prize structure, and odds. You can check the full terms and conditions for each game on the official National Lottery website.
Which UK Lottery Has The Best Odds?
The odds in any lottery refer to how likely it is that a certain outcome will happen, such as matching a set of numbers. They are fixed for each game and do not change based on previous results.
Here’s how the main UK lotteries compare when it comes to odds of potentially winning any prize, and winning the top prize:
Lotto:
Odds of winning any prize: approximately 1 in 9.3
Odds of winning the jackpot (match 6): around 1 in 45,057,474
EuroMillions:
Odds of winning any prize: around 1 in 13
Odds of winning the jackpot (match 5 + 2 Lucky Stars): 1 in 139,838,160
Thunderball:
Odds of winning any prize: approximately 1 in 13
Odds of winning the top prize of £500,000: 1 in 8,060,598
Set For Life:
Odds of winning any prize: roughly 1 in 12.4
Odds of winning the top monthly prize (£10,000 every month for 30 years): 1 in 15,339,390
Lotteries are random games of chance, which means every ticket has the same probability of winning, regardless of any patterns or strategies used.
Breakdown of UK Lottery Prizes
Each lottery game has its own potential prize structure. Prizes depend on how many of your chosen numbers match the numbers drawn. Some games offer fixed payouts, while others can roll over, meaning the prize increases if no one wins.
Lotto: Prizes start by matching just two numbers, which gives you a free Lotto Lucky Dip. Match three or more, and you can win cash amounts. The jackpot is for matching all six numbers, and if no one wins it, the prize rolls over to the next draw.
EuroMillions: This game has 13 prize tiers. You can win by matching as few as two numbers. The jackpot begins at around €17 million (paid in pounds in the UK) and can rise to a maximum of €250 million. Once it hits that cap, it can remain there for up to four draws before it must be won.
Thunderball: Prizes are fixed amounts, which means you’ll know in advance how much each combination pays. The top prize of £500,000 is the same no matter how many people win. Smaller prizes are paid for matching fewer numbers, starting from just the Thunderball.
Set For Life: This game is different in that the top prize is paid as a monthly amount—£10,000 every month for 30 years. Other prize levels are paid as one-off cash payments. The amount you could potentially win depends on how many numbers you manage to match.
For any game, you can find the full prize table and conditions on the National Lottery website. It may be a good idea to read these before buying a ticket, so you know how the game works and what the prizes involve.
Which UK Lottery Is Best To Play?
There isn’t a single “best” lottery that suits everyone. It depends on what you personally find appealing. Each game offers a different type of experience, and what feels worthwhile to one person might not matter as much to someone else.
If you’re drawn to the largest jackpots, EuroMillions tends to offer the highest top prizes, though these usually come with the longest odds.
The Lotto may appeal to you if you prefer a game with lower potential jackpots, but more frequent UK-only draws.
If you’re looking at lotteries with shorter odds for a fixed top prize, the Thunderball has one of the more favourable probabilities compared to other main UK draw-based games.
For those who like the possibility of receiving money in smaller, regular amounts instead of a lump sum, Set For Life offers a unique structure.
Because each game works differently, you may want to compare the odds, ticket prices, and possible prize formats to see what matches what you’re looking for. There’s no system that can guarantee a win, so choosing a lottery is more about what fits your preferences.
Should You Play The Lottery?
Choosing whether or not to play the lottery is a personal decision. For many people, it’s a light form of entertainment and a way to try something different. Others may simply enjoy following the draws or taking part with friends, family, or colleagues.
All UK National Lottery games are based entirely on chance. This means the numbers are drawn randomly, and the outcome of each ticket is unpredictable. There’s no strategy or number combination that can change the odds in your favour.
If you decide to play, it can help to set a clear limit on how much you’re happy to spend and stick to it. Gambling should never be seen as a way to make money or solve financial problems. If you ever feel concerned about how much time or money you’re spending, support is available. Organisations like GamCare, BeGambleAware, and the National Gambling Helpline offer free advice and help.
Before you enter any lottery draw, it may be worth checking the official rules and understanding the odds. This helps you take part in a way that’s more informed. Whether you play or not is entirely up to you. What matters is that the decision is yours and that you’re comfortable with how you take part.
*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.
**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.
