National Lottery results LIVE: Winning Lotto numbers REVEALED with £5.4m jackpot up for grabs
THE National Lottery's Lotto returned last night – with an estimated £5.4million jackpot up for grabs.
Wednesday's draw took place at 8pm and the winning numbers were 05, 26, 36, 53, 57 and 58, while the all important Bonus Ball was 02.
But yet again, no one scooped the top prize- meaning Saturday's jackpot rolls over to £7.6million.
Meanwhile, the winning numbers for Wednesday's Thunderball draw are 13, 14, 22, 23 and 29, while the Thunderball is 10.
Please gamble responsibly. And when the fun stops, stop.
Read our National Lottery live blog below for the latest news and gossip…
- Milica Cosic
Do lottery tickets expire?
Don’t wait too long as draw-game tickets expire 180 days after the drawing.
Scratchcard prizes must be claimed within 180 days after being purchased.
- Milica Cosic
Recap: Last night's inning Lotto numbers
Last night’s £5.4m Lotto draw took place just after 8:00pm.
In case you missed it, the winning numbers were: 05, 26, 36, 53, 57 and 58.
Meanwhile, the bonus ball was: 02.
- Milica Cosic
Last night’s Thunderball numbers revealed
In case you missed it, the winning numbers were: 13, 14, 22, 23 and 29
Meanwhile, the Thunderball was: 10.
- Milica Cosic
Is there a magic winning formula for winning?
Have you ever wondered the secrets to winning big in the lottery? Is it pure luck or is there a system to it…?
- Avoid computer picks. It lowers your odds of winning.
- On scratchcards, try buying 10 of one ticket instead of several different tickets.
- Mix up your numbers.
- Even it out – Don’t pick all odd or all even numbers.
- Split from the crowd, so don’t play patterns.
- Apparently, you should avoid anniversaries, birthday’s and dates.
- Avoid playing winning numbers that have been drawn before, because every combination has a chance of coming up once every half a million drawings.
- Milica Cosic
How much money can I give away if I win the lottery UK?
Essentially, there is no limit to the amount of lottery winnings you can gift to a family member.
This relates to the general rule that you can gift however much money you like.
That said, any amount of money gifted that's above your annual allowances could be subject to inheritance tax.
- Milica Cosic
Crazy win = crazy spending
A LUXURY holiday, an expensive shopping spree, a flashy new motor – the possibilities are endless when you’re a new millionaire.
But such vast wealth is not something to be foolishly frittered away, as recently skint Michael ‘Lotto Lout’ Carroll will attest to after blowing £9.7m on drugs and sex parties.
However, not everyone has such frivolous plans when it comes to spending their lottery money.
Here we reveal some of the most unusual ways people have celebrated their newfound wealth.
Read more here.
- Milica Cosic
When the fun stops, stop
Gaming is fun but for a few, but it may become a problem.
If you’re worried about yourself, or someone you know, speak in confidence to the people at GamCare, available 24/7, on 0808 8020 133 or visit the GamCare website for assistance.
- Milica Cosic
Tips to help you win
- Avoid computer picks. It lowers your odds of winning.
- On scratchcards try buying 10 of one ticket instead of several different tickets.
- Mix it up – Never play all one-number groups.
- Don’t pick all odd or all even numbers.
- Don’t play patterns.
- Avoid anniversaries, birthday’s and dates.
- Don’t Copycat – Avoid playing winning numbers that have been drawn before, because every combination has a chance of coming up once every half a million drawings.
- Milica Cosic
How to collect your lottery winnings
Usually, if you played online, the money will be paid directly into your National Lottery account.
For the most part you can also claim your prize from a designated post office, regional National Lottery centre, or by post. You may have to complete a claim form and provide ID.
For winnings of £50,000 and over, you should call the National Lottery to arrange for your claim to be processed in person.
- Milica Cosic
Where you can also check your numbers
The results of each draw can be found on our blog each night. Otherwise, you can also view results for all the latest draws on the National Lottery website.
As well as winning numbers for the last game, you can also view historical results going back six months.
It will give you the option to view results for:
- Lotto
- EuroMillions
- Thunderball
- Lotto Hotpicks
- EuroMillions Hotpicks
- Set For Life
‘Britain’s unluckiest couple’
“BRITAIN’S unluckiest couple” unfortunately split up after missing out on a huge £3million Lottery jackpot.
Martyn and Kay Tott were overjoyed when finding out they had bought the winning Lottery ticket back in 2001.
But their joy quickly turned to “torture” upon discovering the ticket was missing – and a 30-day window to report it had passed.
Martyn said the near-win “quickly highlighted our differences” and lead to bickering, with the married couple mutually agreeing their relationship had run its course.
But he now feels the loss was a good thing, saying “there is no guarantee it would have brought me happiness”.
The couple, who lived in Watford at the time, realised they had won an unclaimed prize six months after buying the ticket in 2001.
Can lottery winners remain anonymous in the UK?
Absolutely! Lottery winners can keep their anonymity in the UK.
There is also a common myth or misconception that remaining anonymous affects the amount of money you win.
However, this is absolutely false and your decision about whether or not to go public has no bearing on your jackpot.
Unclaimed money goes a long way
Any cash that isn’t claimed after a total of 180 days from a game played in the UK goes to National Lottery projects across the country.
Folks in Ireland have just half that time to claim too, with only 90 days before the prize money is off the table.
Once the claim period is over, the ticket officially expires and the owner of the lottery ticket will no longer be able to claim any of their winnings.
But after that time has expired, any unclaimed prizes, plus any interest they might have accumulated in that time, are allocated to the National Lottery’s Good Causes fund instead.
This will usually then go on to help fund things like sport programmes or local community buildings or other projects.
Lottery draws with best odds of winning jackpot
- FranceLoto – odds 1:5.99
- Swedish Lottery – odds 1:7
- Oz Lotto – odds 1:8
- Polish Mini Lotto – odds 1:8.5
- UK National Lottery – odds 1:9.3
- Spanish Lotto – odds 1:10
- Austria Lotto – odds 1:12
- Irish Lotto – odds 1:13
- Mega Millions Lottery – odds 1:24
- Powerball Lotto – odds 1:24.87
£1m scratchcard winner refused to give up job
Winning £1m was sheer luck for Jamie Heavens, who purchased a Millionaire Riches Scratchcard after watching a customer in front of him do it.
After leaving the petrol station, he pulled into a layby to scratch it off and was gobsmacked when he won.
However, hardworking Jamie, from Bournemouth, had no intention of quitting his day job.
Jamie told the Mirror: “It was 7.30 in the morning and I still had a day’s shift ahead… I won a million pounds and earned another £100 for my shift.”
After that the roofer and his fiance Danielle spent £25,000 on a lavish wedding with “a band, a videographer and a massive marquee”.
He bought a business but feels rather happy about his new job, adding: “I still work but now I’m my own boss!”
- Milica Cosic
‘Britain’s unluckiest couple’
“BRITAIN’S unluckiest couple” unfortunately split up after missing out on a huge £3million Lottery jackpot.
Martyn and Kay Tott were overjoyed when finding out they had bought the winning Lottery ticket back in 2001.
But their joy quickly turned to “torture” upon discovering the ticket was missing – and a 30-day window to report it had passed.
Martyn said the near-win “quickly highlighted our differences” and lead to bickering, with the married couple mutually agreeing their relationship had run its course.
But he now feels the loss was a good thing, saying “there is no guarantee it would have brought me happiness”.
The couple, who lived in Watford at the time, realised they had won an unclaimed prize six months after buying the ticket in 2001.
- Milica Cosic
How long do winners have to claim their money?
Winners from different countries have different deadlines to claim their prize.
In Austria, winners have a whole three years to claim the prize before it is returned to the lottery and used to fund boosted prizes.
Belgian winners, on the other hand, only have around 140 days before the money is returned to the Belgian National Lottery.
The least amount of time to snap up the jackpot goes to France and Luxembourg.
Winners from Ireland, Portugal and Spain all have around 90 days to tell the world they’ve won.
- Milica Cosic
National Lottery: Weekly timetable
Below is a handy timetable for all UK lottery games including Lotto, EuroMillions and Set For Life.
There is a draw 6 nights a week.
Tonight, the Lotto and Thunderball are taking place.
- Milica Cosic
Always be gamble aware
The National Lottery operate a ‘Healthy Play’ policy and monitor behavioural patterns in players.
The National Lottery released the following statement, “We know that extraordinary things happen when lots of people play a little. We’re proud to say that around 60% of UK adults enjoy our games, so encouraging healthy play is at the heart of everything we do. The way we design our games and tools helps put you in control of your play.
“To keep players safe online, we use an in-house behavioural analytics model. This identifies at-risk players, enabling us to support them through targeted interventions.”
- Milica Cosic
Explained: What prizes can be claimed at the Post Office?
Prizes up to £500 can be claimed at the Lottery terminal in store.
For prizes over £500 and up to £50,000, you must take your winning ticket to the Lottery terminal for scanning and then go to the PO counter.
AND, if you’ve been really, really lucky and won over £50,000, you will need to claim your prize in person.
- Joseph Gamp
Post-shielding Grandmother won half a million
A gran bought a lottery ticket to celebrate ending five months of shielding — and won £500,000.
Asthmatic Sue Davies, 64, was on just her second supermarket trip since March when she got the Thunderball jackpot-winner.
Her line of numbers made up of her grandkids’ birthdays scooped the August 15 prize.
Sue said: “I couldn’t believe it. I can’t repeat what I actually said! I rang our three daughters to tell them.
“We’ve won the odd fiver here and there but half a million is amazing!
“I’ve surprised myself with how calm I’ve remained. After a tough few months, this really is great news.”
- Joseph Gamp
Woman wins on first time ‘hunch’
A woman won £184million on her first ever EuroMillion lottery ticket after buying it “on a hunch”.
The young woman – who wanted to remain anonymous – was presented with the prize at her home in Tahiti after it went unclaimed since October 15.
According to the EuroMillions website, her ticket was the only entry that matched all seven numbers after the jackpot had hit its cap of €220m (£184m).
The mystery woman said she had never entered the EuroMillions draw in her life but had grown up watching her grandfather play.
“I was waiting for the right moment to play, and that day I had a hunch,” she said.
“Everything is possible, you just have to believe in it. Before checking my ticket, I felt a shiver in my back."
- Joseph Gamp
Top scratchcard to get
According to Oddschecker, the best scratchcard to snap up is £500 Loaded with odds of just 1 in 3.15.
For just a fiver you could be in the running for £500.
In second place, with the same odds, is Full of £500s which also has a top prize of £500.
Cashword Multiplier follows close behind, which sees punters scratch off letters to reveal symbols to create full words.
- Joseph Gamp
Helpful tips to help you win
- Avoid computer picks. It lowers your odds of winning.
- On scratchcards try buying 10 of one ticket instead of several different tickets.
- Mix it up – Never play all one-number groups.
- Don’t pick all odd or all even numbers.
- Don’t play patterns.
- Avoid anniversaries, birthday’s and dates.
- Don’t Copycat – Avoid playing winning numbers that have been drawn before, because every combination has a chance of coming up once every half a million drawings.
- Joseph Gamp
The man who won 7 times
American man, Richard Lustig, is the only person in the world who has won the lottery seven times.
In an interview with ABC News, Lustig explained that his method wass to re-invest all of his winnings back into the lottery, and also recommended using hand-picked sequential numbers, as well as using the same numbers repeatedly.
Lustig’s total wins amount to a value of $1,052,205.58, which is about £766,736.95.
- Win 1: January 1993 (scratch-off ticket) – $10,000
- Win 2: August 1997 (Florida Fantasy 5) – $13,696.03
- Win 3: June 2000 (“scratch-off ticket “2nd chance drawing”) – $3,594.66
- Win 4: October 2001 (“scratch-off ticket “2nd chance drawing”) – valued at $4,966
- Win 5: January 2002 (Florida Mega Money) – $842,152.91
- Win 6: November 25, 2008 (Florida Fantasy 5) $73,658.06
- Win 7: August 9, 2010 (Florida Fantasy 5) – $98,992.92
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