How To Claim Prizes During Lockdown

Updated: Tuesday 30th January 2024

Lottery draws in the UK are set to continue despite the coronavirus outbreak and tickets remain available, but what is the best way to go about claiming prizes with so many restrictions in place in everyday life? Find out what to do if you are worried about how you will receive your money.

How to Claim Prizes Online

The best way to take part in games and claim prizes is to do it online. You do not need to leave the house when you purchase your entry so you will be avoiding contact with others, and you will be notified automatically by email if you win.

The vast majority of prizes will also be paid straight into your online account so you do not have to go out to claim. If you win a larger amount such as a jackpot, you will be contacted with instructions about how to proceed.

As the number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise and measures remain in force, go to the Coronavirus page to learn more about the impact it is having on lotteries in the UK and around the world.

How to Claim With Shop-Bought Tickets

The National Lottery has urged players to take part online as much as they can, and only purchase entries in-store as part of their essential shop. Everyone has been told they can only leave home for specific needs and buying lottery tickets or scratchcards on their own is not an adequate reason.

Some stores may no longer be open, or may have taken the decision to stop selling tickets or paying out prizes. It is at the discretion of individual retailers as to what products they sell and their policy regarding the payment of prizes.

If you are unable to redeem a prize from a retailer as part of your essential shop, keep hold of your ticket as there are still a number of options. The most important point to remember is that tickets remain valid for 180 days after a draw has taken place, so there will be time to claim your money.

Another retailer may be able to pay out your prize at a later date, while you can also send in winning tickets by post. You may have to complete a claim form and provide ID, but note that at the current time it may take longer for your postal claim to be processed due to the exceptional circumstances.

The standard procedure is for the biggest prizes of all to be claimed in person following a validation meeting. The National Lottery has introduced a process so that they can pay out major prizes in the present situation, so you should contact the operator directly on 0333 234 50 50 or 0333 234 44 33 for more information if you win big.

£57 Million Jackpot Still Unclaimed

The UK winner of the £57 million EuroMillions jackpot from Tuesday 17th March has yet to come forward to claim their prize. The lucky ticket holder matched the numbers 5, 7, 8, 16 and 20, plus Lucky Stars 2 and 12.

They have until 13th September to get in contact with the National Lottery. All that has been revealed so far is that they purchased their entry from a retailer rather than online. A further announcement about the area where the ticket was bought will be made if the prize remains unclaimed.

Go to the Unclaimed Prizes page to see a list of the major awards that have still not been paid out. Take part in games online to avoid social contact and keep up to date with the latest results throughout the week.

Published: Tuesday 31st March 2020

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