Checking your National Lottery ticket and waiting to find out if you’ve won can feel like a moment of uncertainty, particularly when playing online. It’s natural to wonder how winners are informed, how the process works, and how long it typically takes to hear anything.
Whether you’re new to playing online or simply looking for clear information about what happens after a win, this guide outlines the process that follows a winning result. Read on to learn more.

The process differs depending on the size of the prize won. For smaller amounts, online players usually receive a notification informing them of an update regarding their ticket. For larger prizes, emails are kept brief and do not include detailed information for security reasons.
If your winnings are over £50,000, the National Lottery’s Prize Claim team will contact you using the details registered to your account. The team may arrange a phone call to confirm your identity and guide you through the next steps.
You may be asked to provide proof of identity, such as a passport or driving licence. After verification, a meeting with a National Lottery representative may be scheduled, either online or in person. Your prize information is kept confidential unless you choose to share it. Payments are made via bank transfer once all procedures are completed.
If you have any questions during the process, the National Lottery’s support services are available to provide assistance.
If you buy tickets online or through the official app, you may receive an email informing you of a win. This message will be sent to the email address linked to your account and will not include the prize amount or any sensitive details for security reasons.
The email will prompt you to log in to your National Lottery account, where you can view your prize and see if any further steps are required. If you purchase tickets from a physical retailer, email notifications are not sent. In that case, you will need to check your ticket either online, using the app, or by visiting a participating retailer.
Emails about wins for tickets purchased online are usually sent within 24 hours of the draw, often arriving on the next working day.
There may occasionally be delays, particularly with larger prizes or when a high number of tickets need to be checked. Smaller prizes are typically credited to your account automatically. As outlined earlier, larger wins may involve further steps.
If you are expecting a notification but have not seen one, it could be helpful to check your junk or spam folders. Making sure your contact details and email preferences are up to date may also support timely and accurate communication.
Receiving an email about a win can come as a surprise, so it might be useful to check that the message is genuinely from the National Lottery.
Genuine National Lottery emails are sent from addresses ending in ‘@national-lottery.co.uk’. These messages will not ask for personal details such as your bank information, passwords, or any payment in order to claim a prize. Instead, they will ask you to sign in to your account to view any relevant information.
Authentic emails will use clear and direct language. If you are ever unsure about a message, consider visiting the official National Lottery website, where you can find contact details or log in securely.
If you receive an email that seems suspicious, you can forward it to [email protected] so it can be looked into.
Emails about larger wins will not include prize amounts or any personal information. The subject line may say something like, “Good news about your ticket!” or “There is news about your ticket. Please sign in to your account for more details.”
Any links included in these emails should direct you only to the official National Lottery website. You will not be asked to provide personal documents or sensitive information by replying to the email.
If you are ever unsure about the legitimacy of an email, it could be a good idea to go directly to the official website or use the app to log in and check for updates.
The process for claiming a prize depends on both the value of the win and where the ticket was purchased.
If you bought your ticket online, prizes up to £500 are usually added directly to your National Lottery account. For amounts between £501 and £30,000, additional verification may be needed before the funds are transferred to your bank account. Higher-value prizes follow the steps described earlier, which may involve further identity checks and direct contact with the National Lottery team.
For tickets bought in-store, smaller prizes of up to £100 can generally be claimed at most participating retailers. Some retailers may also pay out prizes between £100 and £500. Wins over £500 may need to be claimed at selected Post Office branches or through a claim form submitted to the National Lottery. Larger amounts typically involve a more detailed process, including identity verification.
It’s important to keep your ticket safe until your claim has been processed. All claims must be made within 180 days of the draw date. Prizes from the main National Lottery draws are currently paid out tax-free in the UK.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.