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 and what the odds are.

The 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 flagship draw-based game offered in the UK. Draws are held every Wednesday and Saturday. To play, you choose six numbers from 1 to 59, and prizes are awarded based on how many of your numbers match the numbers drawn.
EuroMillions: This is a cross-border lottery played in several European countries, with UK tickets purchased in pounds. Players choose five main numbers from 1 to 50 and two “Lucky Stars” from 1 to 12. Because it is a multinational game, jackpots can grow quickly, but results are entirely based on chance and no winnings are ever guaranteed.
Set For Life: Instead of a one-off jackpot, Set For Life offers a top potential prize of £10,000 every month for 30 years. To play, you choose five numbers from 1 to 47 plus one Life Ball from 1 to 10. The prize you receive depends on how many of your numbers match the numbers drawn. As with all lottery games, results are entirely random and winnings can never be guaranteed.
Thunderball: The Thunderball has a smaller top prize compared with some other National Lottery draw games. Players choose five main numbers from 1 to 39 and one Thunderball from 1 to 14. Each prize tier has its own odds, and all outcomes are based entirely on chance, with no guarantee of winning.

Each National Lottery draw-based game has its own price, format, prize structure, and odds. All of them are games of chance, meaning there is never a guaranteed return, and any win depends entirely on matching the numbers drawn. For full rules and the latest information, refer to the official National Lottery website.

Which UK Lottery Has The Best Odds?

In lottery terms, the “odds” describe the likelihood of a particular outcome, such as matching a certain set of numbers.

When we say a game has the “best” odds, we mean it has a higher probability of winning a prize or the top prize compared with other games. However, odds do not guarantee any winnings—they simply express how likely an outcome is.

Each ticket has the same fixed probability of winning, and because lottery draws are random, it is impossible to predict or ensure a win.

Here’s a comparison of the main UK National Lottery games:

Lotto

Odds of winning any prize: approximately 1 in 9.3
Odds of winning the jackpot (match 6 numbers): around 1 in 45,057,474

EuroMillions

Odds of winning any prize: approximately 1 in 13
Odds of winning the jackpot (match 5 numbers + 2 Lucky Stars): 1 in 139,838,160

Thunderball

Odds of winning any prize: approximately 1 in 13
Odds of winning the top prize (£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 prize (£10,000 every month for 30 years): 1 in 15,339,390

Because lotteries are purely games of chance, no strategy, pattern, or previous result can increase your likelihood of winning. Even games with “better” odds still carry a very low probability of success, and all prizes remain entirely uncertain.

Breakdown of UK Lottery Prizes

Each UK National Lottery game has its own possible prize structure, which determines how winnings are awarded. Prizes are based on how many of your chosen numbers match the numbers drawn. Some games may have fixed prizes, where the amount is set in advance, while others might have rollover prizes, meaning the top prize can increase if no ticket matches all the winning numbers.

Because the rules, prize amounts, and odds vary between games, players may want to consult the official National Lottery website or the game’s published rules to better understand the specific details for each lottery. All prizes are determined by chance, and no outcome is guaranteed.

Lotto (National Lottery):

6 main numbers – Jackpot
5 main numbers + Bonus Ball – £1,000,000
5 main numbers – £1,750
4 main numbers – £140
3 main numbers – £30
2 main numbers – Free Lucky Dip

EuroMillions:

Actual payouts can vary per draw depending on ticket sales, the number of winners, and currency exchange rates.

5 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars – Jackpot*
5 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star – £130,554.30
5 main numbers – £13,561.20
4 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars – £844.70
4 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star – £77.80
3 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars – £37.30
4 main numbers – £25.60
2 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars – £9.10
3 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star – £7.30
3 main numbers – £6.00
1 main number + 2 Lucky Stars – £4.30
2 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star – £3.60
2 main numbers – £2.50

The jackpot is variable and is determined by ticket sales and any rollover amounts. Prizes in lower tiers can also be adjusted if there are more winners than the fixed prize allocation allows.

Thunderball:

5 numbers + Thunderball – £500,000
5 numbers – £5,000
4 numbers + Thunderball – £250
4 numbers – £100
3 numbers + Thunderball – £20
3 numbers – £10
2 numbers + Thunderball – £10
1 number + Thunderball – £5
Thunderball only – £3

Set For Life:

5 main numbers + Life Ball – £10,000 every month for 30 years
5 main numbers – £10,000 every month for 1 year
4 main numbers + Life Ball – £250
4 main numbers – £50
3 main numbers + Life Ball – £30
3 main numbers – £20
2 main numbers + Life Ball – £10
2 main numbers – £5

Which UK Lottery Is Best To Play?

There is no single “best” lottery for everyone. The right game depends on your personal preferences, as each lottery offers a different format, prize structure, and draw schedule.

EuroMillions offers the largest potential jackpots in the UK, but the odds of winning the top prize are long.
Lotto has smaller jackpots compared with EuroMillions, but draws occur twice a week within the UK.
Thunderball provides a fixed top prize of £500,000 and shorter odds of winning that prize compared with some other main draw games.
Set For Life offers a top prize of £10,000 per month for 30 years, providing regular payments instead of a lump sum.

Each game has fixed odds, and all prizes are determined by chance. No strategy or choice of game can guarantee a win.

Comparing ticket prices, potential prize structures, and odds can help you understand the differences, but playing is always a matter of personal preference rather than a path to winning.

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 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 may help you take part in a way that’s more informed. Whether you play or not is entirely up to you.

*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.