UK Lotto (the National Lottery's Lotto) has been played since 1994 and, since June 2026, uses a new format with two rounds per draw. Here you will find the rules, odds, jackpot records and the key changes.
📋 UK Lotto at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | 6 from 59 + bonus ball (two rounds per draw) |
| Jackpot odds | 1 : 22,528,738 per line (1 : 45,057,474 per round) |
| Draw days | Wednesday & Saturday |
| Ticket price | £2 per line (both rounds included) |
| Must-be-won rule | After 5 draws without a winner the jackpot must be won |
| Highest jackpot | £66M (Jan 2016, shared by two winners) |
| Founded | 1994 |
🎯 How Does UK Lotto Work?
The Rules
UK Lotto uses a 6 from 59 format since 2015 (previously 6 from 49). Choose 6 numbers from 1 to 59. Since 7 June 2026, every line takes part in two rounds per draw: in each round 6 main numbers + 1 bonus ball are drawn, and your numbers count in both rounds.
The bonus ball is drawn from the same pool as the main numbers and decides the 2nd prize tier: 5 correct + bonus ball win £1 million, 5 correct without it win £1,000.
💰 All Prize Tiers
| Tier | Match | Odds | Average prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | 6 numbers | 1 : 22,528,738 | Jackpot (shared) |
| 2 | 5 + Bonus | 1 : 3,754,790 | £1,000,000 |
| 3 | 5 numbers | 1 : 72,208 | £1,000 (fixed) |
| 4 | 4 numbers | 1 : 1,091 | £50 (fixed) |
| 5 | 3 numbers | 1 : 48 | £10 (fixed) |
| 6 | 2 numbers | 1 : 5.4 | £1 (fixed) |
New since June 2026: every line plays in two rounds. The odds in the table apply per line (both rounds combined); prizes are paid per round, so you can win in both rounds. Even 2 correct numbers now win £1 in cash instead of a free Lucky Dip.
🏆 Biggest UK Lotto Jackpots Ever
| Rank | Jackpot | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | £66M | Jan 2016 | Record, shared by two winners (£33M each) |
| 🥈 2nd | £42M | 1996 | Earlier record, shared by three winners |
| 🥉 3rd | £32.5M | Feb 2016 | Sole winner (Peterborough) |
🇬🇧 UK Lotto vs. EuroMillions
| Criteria | UK Lotto | EuroMillions |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot odds | 1 : 22.5M (2 rounds) | 1 : 139M |
| Max jackpot | No fixed cap | €250M |
| Ticket price | £2 | €2.50 |
| 2-match prize | ✅ £1 cash | ✅ about €4 |
With 1:22.5 million per line, UK Lotto has much better jackpot odds than EuroMillions (1:140 million), but smaller jackpots. From outside the UK you can only take part via intermediary services, whose legality you should check beforehand.
💡 Summary
- ✅ Better jackpot odds than EuroMillions
- ✅ Prize from 2 correct — £1 in cash (per round)
- ✅ Long history since 1994
- ⚠️ Record jackpot "only" £66M vs. the EuroMillions record of €250M
- ⚠️ From outside the UK: only via intermediary services, whose legality you must check yourself