Quadruple Rollover Must Be Won Explained
If you’ve ever looked at a UK lottery draw and seen phrases like “quadruple rollover” or “must be won” without knowing what they mean, you’re not alone.
These terms are used to describe how jackpots work when they aren’t won after several draws, but they may be confusing at first.
This guide will break everything down in a simple way, so you can understand what happens if a jackpot rolls over multiple times. Whether you’re curious about why rollovers happen, or what makes a draw a “must be won” event, this page covers the basics in a way that’s easy to follow.
What Does Quadruple Rollover Mean?
A rollover happens in a lottery when no one matches all the required numbers to win the jackpot.
In the UK’s Lotto game, you need to match six numbers from a pool of 59. The chances of doing this are around 1 in 45,057,474. When nobody matches all six, the prize money doesn’t disappear—it rolls over to the next draw, increasing the potential jackpot prize.
A quadruple rollover means the jackpot has rolled over four times in a row, without a top-tier winner in any of those draws. The jackpot keeps growing as it includes prize money from previous draws and the value of new ticket sales.
While “quadruple rollover” isn’t an official lottery term, it’s commonly used to describe the situation just before the final rollover that can lead to a “must be won” draw, which usually occurs after the fifth rollover in the Lotto.
Why Do Rollovers Happen in the First Place?
Rollovers occur because winning the jackpot is statistically difficult. For example, in the Lotto, players must match six numbers, randomly drawn from a set of 59. The chances of this happening are very low, so many draws can pass without a jackpot winner.
Each time the jackpot goes unclaimed, it carries over to the next draw. This not only builds a larger jackpot, but can also increase interest. However, rollovers are not unlimited. Once the number of rollovers reaches a set limit—five for the Lotto—the next draw changes how the jackpot is awarded.
Rollovers are part of how the game operates and why jackpots can grow over time, but they rely entirely on chance and random number generation.
How Many Times Can The Lottery Rollover?
The number of rollovers allowed before a jackpot must be won depends on the lottery in question.
In the Lotto, the jackpot can roll over a maximum of five times. If no one wins the jackpot after the fifth rollover, the sixth draw becomes a “must be won” draw. At this point, even if no one matches all six numbers, the prize doesn’t roll over again—it must be distributed.
In the EuroMillions, the process is different. The jackpot can grow until it hits a set limit, known as the jackpot cap, which is currently €250 million. Once it reaches that limit, it can only stay there for four draws. If no one wins in that time, the prize is distributed in the fifth draw under similar “must be won” rules.
Different games have different rules, so it can be worth checking the terms for each draw before taking part.
Does a Quadruple Rollover Have To Be Won?
No, a quadruple rollover does not mean the jackpot must be won in that draw.
In the Lotto, the jackpot can roll over five times. The draw after the fifth rollover—the sixth draw in a rollover sequence—is when the jackpot becomes a “must be won” draw. So, if a quadruple rollover happens, there’s still one more chance for the jackpot to be won in the usual way before the must-be-won rules apply.
Until that sixth draw, the jackpot can continue to grow. But once it hits that point, the rules change. If nobody matches all six numbers in a must-be-won draw, the jackpot is shared with players in the next prize tier.
How the Quadruple Rollover Changes the Jackpot
When a lottery reaches a quadruple rollover, the jackpot becomes significantly larger than normal. That’s because it includes the combined value of several draws where no one won the top prize.
Each rollover brings in new ticket sales, which increases the jackpot further. For example, if three previous jackpots each contained £5 million, and a fourth draw brings in £10 million, the jackpot could be over £25 million by the time of a quadruple rollover.
The growing jackpot often draws more public interest, but it’s important to remember that more entries do not change your personal odds. The jackpot continues to grow until the draw after the fifth rollover, which is when it must be won or shared.
Is a Quadruple Rollover the Same as a Roll Down?
No, these are two different things.
A quadruple rollover simply refers to a jackpot that has rolled over four times in a row. The jackpot still requires all six main numbers to be matched to win it outright.
A roll down happens in a “must be won” draw—specifically if no one matches all six main numbers. In this case, instead of rolling over again, the jackpot is shared among players in lower prize tiers. For instance, those who successfully match five numbers and the bonus ball may get a larger potential prize than usual because they receive a share of the jackpot.
So, while a quadruple rollover can lead up to the possibility of a roll down, the two are not the same event.
How Roll Downs Work Differently from Rollovers
A rollover simply means that the jackpot carries forward to the next draw because no one won. This continues until the maximum number of rollovers is reached.
In a roll down, if the jackpot reaches the point where it must be won and no one wins it in the usual way, the full jackpot amount is added to the prize pot for winners in the next tier down.
For example, let’s say the Lotto jackpot is £12 million in a must-be-won draw. If nobody matches all six numbers, and four players match five numbers and the bonus ball, the £12 million is divided among them—boosting their prize significantly.
Each lottery game has its own way of handling roll downs, so it may be a good idea to check the potential prize structure and rules before entering.
Odds of Winning a Quadruple Rollover
The size of the jackpot doesn’t affect your chance of winning it. Your odds remain the same in every draw, whether the jackpot is new or has rolled over several times.
In the Lotto, the odds of matching all six numbers are around 1 in 45,057,474. These odds don’t change, regardless of how many people enter or how big the potential prize is.
However, a higher jackpot might mean more people buy tickets. This can increase the chances that, if someone does win, the prize may be shared. But again, your individual odds are fixed and based solely on the numbers you choose, not the number of entries or the size of the prize.
Lotteries are games of chance with no guaranteed way to win. If you choose to play, set a budget and only spend what you’re comfortable losing. Support is available at GAMSTOP. You must be 18 or over to play the National Lottery in the UK.
*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.