UK National Lottery — Complete Guide
UK Lotto — How to Play, Odds & Prizes
Everything you need to know about UK National Lottery Lotto. Since June 2026, every £2 line plays in two rounds per draw — two chances to win. Learn how it works, the odds and prizes, and how to play from anywhere in the world. Looking for numbers? See the latest results →
Current Jackpot: £3.4 Million
Finding the best way to play for your location…
Play via the National Lottery
You're in the UK — play directly through the National Lottery website or app. £2 per line, Wednesday and Saturday draws.
Play UK Lotto from anywhere
You can participate in UK Lotto from outside the UK through a licensed lottery concierge service — they purchase official tickets on your behalf and notify you of any wins.
Latest UK Lotto Results
Winning numbers from the most recent Wednesday & Saturday draws
Both rounds of every draw are published immediately after the Wednesday and Saturday draws, along with the full prize breakdown and a history of recent results.
View Latest UK Lotto Results & Numbers →About UK National Lottery Lotto
Lotto is the flagship game of the UK National Lottery, launched in 1994 and now operated by Allwyn (which took over from Camelot in 2024). It remains one of the most played lottery games in the world. Draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday evening, with results published immediately after each draw.
Players pick 6 numbers from 1 to 59 for £2 per line. Since 7 June 2026, the game runs a two-round format: every line is automatically entered into two separate draws each night — Round 1 and Round 2 — each with its own six main numbers and a Bonus Ball, drawn on two different machines. Your single line can win in either round, or both, for the same £2. The Bonus Ball only affects one tier: matching 5 main numbers plus the Bonus Ball wins a fixed £1 million.
The change improved the odds of winning any prize from 1 in 9.3 to roughly 1 in 4.9, and is expected to more than double the number of Lotto millionaires each year. To fund the extra round, some lower-tier prizes were reduced — so you can expect to win more often, but several smaller prizes are worth less than before. All UK National Lottery prizes are completely tax-free.
UK Lotto Prize Tiers
Fixed prizes apply per round (from 7 June 2026). The jackpot starts at £2m and is shared across both rounds. Match 5+Bonus and Match 6 are the two ways to win £1m+.
How to Play UK Lotto
Six numbers, two rounds, two chances to win every draw
Pick 6 Numbers
Choose 6 numbers from 1 to 59. Use Lucky Dip for a random selection. Each line costs £2. You can play multiple lines and set up a subscription.
You're In Both Rounds
Since June 2026, each line is automatically entered into two rounds per draw — Round 1 and Round 2 — for the same £2. Two separate sets of numbers are drawn. Win in either round, or both.
Watch for the Bonus Ball
A Bonus Ball is drawn in each round after the six main numbers. It only matters for one tier — matching 5 main numbers plus the Bonus Ball wins a fixed £1 million.
Watch the Draw
Draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday evening at around 8pm (tickets close 7.30pm). Results are published immediately and updated here automatically after each draw.
Claim Tax-Free
All UK lottery prizes are completely tax-free. Online players have winnings credited automatically. Match 2 main numbers in a round and you win £1.
📋 Key National Lottery Changes
- June 2026 — Two-round format (biggest change since 1994): Every £2 line is now entered into two separate draws per night, Round 1 and Round 2, for the same price. Odds of winning any prize improved from 1 in 9.3 to about 1 in 4.9, and the number of millionaires created each year is expected to more than double.
- June 2026 — Prize structure revised: To fund the second round, lower tiers were trimmed — Match 5 dropped to £1,000, Match 4 to £50, Match 3 to £10, and Match 2 became a £1 cash prize (previously a free Lucky Dip). Match 5+Bonus stays at a fixed £1 million.
- October 2015 — Number pool expanded: The main ball pool increased from 1–49 to 1–59, lengthening jackpot odds but also increasing jackpot values through longer rollover periods.
- 2013 — Price increase: Ticket price rose from £1 to £2 per line, a controversial but ultimately stable change that increased prize values significantly.
- Honest note on the trade-off: You'll win small prizes more often under the new format, but several of those wins are worth less than before. Whether that's a better deal depends on whether you play for the jackpot or for frequent smaller wins.
UK Lotto Questions
The most common questions answered
From 7 June 2026, every £2 Lotto line is entered into two separate draws each night — Round 1 and Round 2 — instead of one. Two sets of six main numbers and a Bonus Ball are drawn on two different machines, and your line can win in either round or both. This improved the odds of winning any prize from 1 in 9.3 to about 1 in 4.9. The price (£2), the 6-from-59 format, and the Wednesday and Saturday draw days are all unchanged. To pay for the extra round, some lower prizes were reduced: Match 5 is now £1,000, Match 4 £50, Match 3 £10, and Match 2 pays £1 (it used to be a free Lucky Dip). So you win more often, but several smaller wins are worth less than before.
In October 2015 the National Lottery expanded the main ball pool from 1–49 to 1–59. This lengthened the jackpot odds — making the jackpot harder to win — but also increased the average jackpot size because prizes roll over more frequently before being won. The 6-from-59 format remains in place today, including after the June 2026 two-round update.
Yes — players outside the UK can participate in UK Lotto through a licensed lottery concierge service. These services purchase official tickets on your behalf from within the UK and notify you of any wins. All UK lottery prizes are tax-free, though your home country may tax lottery winnings under local law — always seek independent advice for large prizes.
Yes — all UK National Lottery prizes are completely tax-free in the UK. You receive the full prize amount with no deductions. If you are based outside the UK and playing through a concierge service, your home country's tax laws may apply to lottery winnings — this varies by country and you should seek independent advice for significant wins.
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Ready to Play UK Lotto?
Two draws per week — and since 2026, two chances to win on every single line.
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