The National Lottery delivered a life-changing windfall on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, when the winning Lotto draw United Kingdom numbers were revealed as 03, 24, 26, 34, 35, 36 — with the Bonus Ball 09. The £8,360,535 jackpot, a Triple Rollover after three consecutive draws without a top-prize winner, was drawn using Lotto Machine 1 and Ball Set 9 at 20:00 UTC, under the watchful eye of an independent adjudicator. The draw, broadcast live on the National Lottery’s YouTube channel and verified across official platforms, had viewers holding their breath as the numbers rolled out: 03, 35, 36, 34, 26, then 24 — followed by the Bonus Ball 09. It’s the kind of moment that turns commutes into celebrations and pay stubs into possibilities.
How the Draw Unfolded — And Why It Mattered
The sequence wasn’t random in the eyes of the public. It was the culmination of a three-week streak where no one matched all six numbers, allowing the jackpot to swell from £5.2 million to over £8.3 million. That’s not just luck — it’s persistence. And persistence, as the National Lottery reminds us, is what keeps people playing. The draw was conducted at the organization’s secure facility in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, under the strict operational oversight of Camelot UK Lotteries Limited, the licensed operator since 1994. Every ball, every spin, every second was recorded, audited, and televised — because transparency isn’t optional. It’s the law.What made this draw stand out wasn’t just the money. It was the story. During the broadcast, Claudia Winkleman, the well-known English television presenter and film critic, appeared in the ‘Because of You’ segment, highlighting how lottery proceeds fund local swimming pools, youth theatres, and rural community centers. "It’s easy to forget," she said, "that when you buy a ticket, you’re not just chasing a dream — you’re helping someone else live theirs." That’s the quiet magic of the National Lottery: it turns chance into community.
Who’s Eligible — And Who’s Watching
To play, you must be 18 or older and physically located in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man. No VPNs. No loopholes. The Gambling Commission, headquartered in Birmingham, West Midlands, ensures every rule is followed. Online entries require geolocation verification. Retail purchases require ID. It’s not bureaucracy — it’s protection.The National Lottery’s HealthyPlay-Toolkit, available at their official site, offers tools to set spending limits, take a break, or even self-exclude. "National Lottery games should always be fun," their statement reads. "Playing in a way that is right for you." And yet, with jackpots this size, the line between fun and obsession gets thin. Last year, over 1,200 people sought help from GamCare for lottery-related gambling issues — a number that rises with every Triple Rollover.
The Ripple Effect: What Happens to the Money
Here’s the twist: even if you don’t win, you still win — in a way. Approximately 28% of every £1 spent on National Lottery games goes to Good Causes. That’s over £1.9 billion since 1994. This year alone, £670 million supported arts projects, £320 million went to sports clubs, and £185 million funded heritage sites like the restoration of the Blackpool Tower Ballroom and the preservation of historic railway stations in Yorkshire. Unclaimed prizes? They don’t vanish. They roll into the Good Causes pot. After 180 days, if no one claims the £8.36 million jackpot, every pound of it becomes funding for local initiatives — schools, hospices, veteran centers.And the money keeps flowing. On the same night, the Thunderball draw United Kingdom awarded its top prize of £500,000 to a single ticket holder matching 04, 15, 17, 24, 33 and Thunderball 10. Two games. One night. Two chances. Two stories.
What Happens Next — And How to Check
Winners have until April 20, 2026, to claim their prize — either online, through the National Lottery app, or at any authorized retailer across the UK. The process is simple: verify your ticket, submit your claim, and wait for a call from the National Lottery’s claims team. No need to rush. No need to panic. But don’t wait too long. Last year, £27 million in unclaimed prizes went to Good Causes. That’s 27 million reasons to check your ticket.The next Lotto draw is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025. The jackpot resets to £2 million — a fresh start. And somewhere, someone is already holding a ticket with 03, 24, 26, 34, 35, 36 — wondering if they’re the one who won.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I’ve won the £8.36 million Lotto jackpot?
Check your ticket against the official numbers: 03, 24, 26, 34, 35, 36 with Bonus Ball 09. You can verify results on the National Lottery website, the official app, or at any authorized retailer. If all six main numbers match, you’ve won the jackpot. Bonus Ball matching only matters if you’ve matched five main numbers — then it boosts your prize to £1 million. Always sign your ticket immediately and keep it secure.
Can someone outside the UK win this prize?
No. The National Lottery requires players to be physically located in the UK or Isle of Man at the time of purchase and play. Online entries use geolocation verification, and retail tickets must be bought in person. Any claim from outside these areas will be rejected. This rule is strictly enforced by the Gambling Commission to comply with UK gambling law.
What happens if no one claims the £8.36 million jackpot?
If the prize goes unclaimed by April 20, 2026, the full £8,360,535 reverts to the National Lottery Good Causes fund. Since 1994, over £400 million in unclaimed prizes have supported community projects — from youth football teams to historic church restorations. The money doesn’t disappear; it gets redistributed to help others. That’s the quiet legacy of the lottery.
Why did the jackpot reach over £8 million?
This was a Triple Rollover — meaning the jackpot rolled over three times without a winner. The previous draw on October 15 had no jackpot winner, and neither did the one on October 8. Each rollover added £1.5–2 million to the prize pool, pushing it from £5.2 million to £8.36 million. Rollovers are common when the jackpot exceeds £5 million and ticket sales surge, creating a cycle of anticipation and higher stakes.
Are the draws truly random and fair?
Yes. Each draw uses certified machines and ball sets, audited by independent adjudicators. The National Lottery is regulated by the Gambling Commission, which conducts random inspections and publishes audit reports. Ball Set 9 used in this draw was tested for weight, size, and balance — no bias allowed. The live broadcast, multiple verification sources, and public oversight make manipulation virtually impossible.
How much of the jackpot goes to taxes in the UK?
Nothing. Lottery winnings in the UK are completely tax-free. Unlike in the US or some other countries, you keep every pound. However, if you invest your winnings and earn interest or capital gains, those may be taxable. Also, gifting large sums to others could trigger inheritance tax rules down the line. But the prize itself? It’s yours — no deductions, no surprises.