How to purchase our tickets

What are the different types of National Lottery ticket?

There are two main types of ticket. Firstly, tickets for Lotto, EuroMillions, Thunderball, Lotto HotPicks, Daily Play and Dream Number, (draw-based games) can be purchased at retail outlets with Camelot's in-store terminals or at designated National Lottery Fast Pay outlets. Lotto, EuroMillions, Thunderball, Lotto HotPicks, Daily Play and Dream Number may also be played on the internet and by mobile phone. Tickets and entries must be checked by you against the numbers which are drawn. The second type (tickets for Scratchcard games) are also available from your retailer, but are pre-printed and not created by the terminals.

Where can I buy National Lottery tickets?

As long as you are aged 16 or over, you can purchase National Lottery tickets from authorised retailers throughout the UK and Isle of Man. Each retailer is clearly identified by National Lottery logos and signs. You can also buy a wide range of National Lottery games on the internet by visiting www.national-lottery.co.uk and by mobile phone.

Purchasing a National Lottery draw-based game Ticket

Tickets for draw-based games can now be purchased at retailers in three different ways:

  1. You can complete a play slip and use it to purchase a ticket at a National Lottery terminal.
  2. You can use a National Lottery Fast Pay card to purchase a ticket from any National Lottery terminal and from checkouts in Tesco stores. You can obtain a National Lottery Fast Pay card in any National Lottery retailer. Simply complete a play slip with your lucky numbers or select a Lucky Dip® for any draw-based game and ask for a Fast Pay card.
  3. Alternatively, you can simply ask your retailer for a ticket with your chosen numbers at any National Lottery terminal (but not a checkout) without filling in a play slip. If you ask for a Lucky Dip, the National Lottery computer systems will select your numbers for you. Please note that Lucky Dip may not be available at checkouts. Please also note that you cannot use a play slip to purchase a ticket at a checkout. Don't forget to put your name and address on the back of your ticket.

When can I buy a ticket?

All National Lottery tickets are available for sale during retailers' normal opening hours. You must have purchased your draw-based game ticket by 7.30pm on the day of the relevant draw in order to play. Subject to this, and to retailers' normal opening hours, tickets for Lotto, Dream Number, Lotto HotPicks and Thunderball, are available from 6.00am to 11.00pm daily, though not between 7.30pm and 9.00pm on Saturdays and after 7.30pm on Wednesdays. Daily Play tickets are on sale from Monday to Saturday 6.00am to 7.30pm and on Sundays from 6.00am to 11.00pm. EuroMillions tickets are on sale from 6.00am to 11.00pm daily, though not between 7.30pm and 9.00pm on Fridays.

How do I check that my ticket is valid?

When you receive your draw-based game ticket, you are responsible for checking that the game, selection and draw date on your ticket match your choices. You should also check that the bar coded serial number can be clearly read and that any 'VOID' box has not been marked.

How do I check if I have won?

Draw-based games

Either watch the draw if it's televised, or visit your retailer, who will give you a printout of winning numbers on request. Alternatively, you can find the results in national newspapers, Ceefax or BBC Red Button. The winning numbers for previous draws may also be obtained by calling the National Lottery Line on 0845 910 0000 or visiting www.national-lottery.co.uk.

Scratchcards

Rub off all the coating on the play area(s) of your ticket to reveal the symbols which, based on the play instructions for each game, will indicate whether or not you have won a prize. Further information is contained in the published Game Procedures for each game. For current information on the number of top prizes remaining in any Scratchcard game, call the National Lottery Line or visit www.national-lottery.co.uk.

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