All National Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw taking place. Any prizes unclaimed after that time are donated to good causes.
Jackpots go unclaimed almost every month, and in fact, there is one prize of £9,476,995 that has not been claimed from a draw that took place in July 2005. So if you're the lucky winner (from the Doncaster area) you have until January 2006 to collect your winnings!
The table below shows just five jackpots that were unclaimed and have now been donated to charity.
| Draw Date |
Amount |
Location |
| 7 Aug 2004 |
£7,039,469 |
Belfast |
| 1 Jan 2005 |
£3,987,470 |
Richmond-upon-Thames |
| 6 Sept 2000 |
£3,011,065 |
South Hertfordshire |
| 14 Sept 2002 |
£2,928,214 |
Northumberland |
| 28 Jul 2004 |
£2,852,742 |
Lancashire |
The way in which you should claim your prize will depend on the amount you have won.
Free Daily Play Lucky Dip Ticket
If you fail to match any numbers in the Daily Play draw, present your losing ticket to any National Lottery Retailer, who will validate it and issue you with a Daily Play Lucky Dip ticket.
Up to £75
You can claim your winnings from any National Lottery Retailer upon presentation of your ticket. The retailer will validate your ticket and issue your prize.
Between £75 and £200
National Lottery On-Line Retailers can pay prizes between £75 and £200 at their discretion and upon presentation of your ticket. If they do not have the funds to do so, you can return to the same retailer when funds are available, go to another retailer, or go to a National Lottery On-Line Post Office.
However, if a retailer validates your ticket, you must return to that same retailer when funds are available to issue your prize.
Between £200 and £50,000
You can claim your prize from any designated National Lottery On-Line Post Office upon presentation of your ticket. You will need to fill out a prize claim form for any prizes over £500. As the maximum amount payable in cash is £500, any prizes over this amount will be paid by cheque.
Over £50,000
Any amount above £50,000 must be claimed in person from a National Lottery Regional Centre and will be paid by cheque. You will also be required to complete a prize claim form and provide proof of your identity.
Jackpot Prizes
If you match all numbers in Lotto or Thunderball, you must call the National Lottery Line (0845 9 100 000) for help in claiming your prize.
By Post
You may also claim prizes of up to £50,000 by post. If you are claiming for more than £500 you will need to complete a prize claim form, which are available from your National Lottery Retailer. Send your ticket (and claim form if applicable) to:
The National Lottery
Accounts Department
PO Box 287
Watford WD18 9TT
Favourites (IE)
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