The UK’s Best Lottery Sites for Buying Online Lottery Tickets
Avoid the queues and play your favourite lottery draw from the comfort of your own home or while on the go. This list of the UK’s best lottery sites has been compiled by our gambling experts, to give you the best range of options when buying lottery tickets online.
| Bank Transfer Casino | Payments Rating | Welcome Bonus | Top Payments | All Lotteries | Top Lotto | Official Site | Bonus Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lottomart | 5.00/5 | Free Lotto Bet + 10 Free Spins | PayPal, Visa, Mastercard | 16 | UK Lotto | lottomart.com | Full T&Cs apply. Min £2 in scratchcards on first purchase to qualify. 10 free scratchcards awarded on Cash Factor 5K. 10 free spins awarded on Sweet Success Megaways. New players only. 18+ gambleaware.org. |
| Lottoland | 5.00/5 | 100 Free SpinsWhen You Stake £20 | PayPal, Bank Transfer | 9 | Mega Millions | www.lottoland.co.uk | |
| The Pools | 4.95/5 | Monthly Promotions | PayPal, Visa, Maestro | 7 | Loaded 4 Life | www.thepools.com | |
| Betfred Lotto | 4.90/5 | £20 Free Bets When You Stake £5 | Neteller, Skrill, PayPal | 15 | Nifty 50 | www.betfred.com | New customers only. Use promo code LOTTO20. Deposit & stake £5 on Lotto or Numbers draws within 7 days. First bet must be on Lotto or Numbers draws. £20 in Free Bets credited within 24 hours. Free Bet amount is not included in any return and expire after 7 days. Payment restrictions apply. SMS validation may be required. Betfred Lotto is fixed odds betting on an outcome of an official lottery draw or numbers game. 18+.Full T&Cs apply. |
| Jackpot.com | 4.80/5 | Lotto Promos | Visa, Apple Pay, PayPal | 33 | Power Ball | uk.jackpot.co | 18+. Terms and conditions apply |
- Avoid chasing losses; accept outcomes gracefully.
- Balance gambling with other hobbies and interests.
- Always set and stick to a budget limit.
- Avoid borrowing money for gambling purposes.
- Seek help if gambling feels uncontrollable.
Even if the odds of winning are slim, playing the lottery is a fun way to test your luck for very little money. Nowadays, as is the case with almost everything else, you can play lottery online with some amazing UK operators.
This guide will help you learn about this popular UK pastime. We also have an approved list of top lottory sites vetted by our expert editors as well as mini guides to playing the lottory online, benefits; bonus offers, and the top online jackpots.
| 🏆 Best Lottery Site | Lottomart |
|---|---|
| 🎁 Best Lottery Bonus | Jackpot.com |
| 💰 Best Mega Millions Site | Lottoland |
| 💸 Best Irish Lotto Site | Betfred |
| 🤑 Best UK Pools Site | The Pools |
Like any of the trusted online casinos in the UK, the recommended operators on this page have obtained a licence from the UKGC. If you’re looking to buy lottery tickets then you can rest assured and play safely with our top picks.
Many players may be forgiven for basing their choice of lottery site on how big the prizes are – what with the many lottery games with thrilling jackpots out there. As you’ll discover on this page, there’s far more to it thaan that.
Our stand-out online lottery sites not only offer generous jackpots, but they also meet the other criteria our experts check for, such as site security and customer service. In this lotto guide as we share our recommendations and tips with you.
How to Choose the Best Online Lottery Site in the UK?
In its traditional form, lottery involves buying a ticket and awaiting a series of numbered balls to be picked at random. The more numbers you can match with your ticket, the more money you win.
When it comes to choosing the best lottery site out there, several criteria need to be met. First and foremost, security is a top priority: players must know that any personal information they share will be safely stored.
UK Lotto Site Criteria
- Valid Licensing · Verify that the site is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.
- Site Security · The site should employ security protocols, such as SSL encryption.
- Payment Methods · Ensure the site offers secure and convenient payment options.
- Draw Selection · Look for variety, including national and international lotteries.
- Bonuses & Promos · Check for promotions that add value to your deposits.
- Payout Record · Find reviews about proven payout efficiency.
- Responsible Gambling · The site promotes responsible gaming with tools and resources.
- Ease of Use · A user-friendly interface is essential on desktop and mobile.
- Customer Support · Available through multiple channels (e.g., live chat, email, phone).
- Terms & Conditions · Carefully read the site’s T&Cs to avoid any surprises.
All the best online gambling sites in the UK, as well as the lottery sites that we have provided in this guide, are absolutely safe and trusted – we know this thanks to their valid licensing issued by the UK Gambling Commission.
Major operators typically have showcase lottery draws but will then host smaller lottery offerings. Both types appeal to UK gamblers, though the numbers suggest that the majority of people prefer to play lottories offering significantly larger jackpots even though the chances of winning are lower.
How to Play Lotto Online?
To start with, playing the lotto online is incredibly easy: almost as easy as scratch cards. It resembles the traditional lottery. However, instead of purchasing a ticket from your local shop, you do it digitally through betting sites.
Just like online gambling for real money, the first step is to choose a suitable operator – we recommend selecting a lottery site based on the criteria we provided you with above. Weve outlined all important steps for you below:
Playing Lotto: Step-by-Step Guide
- Choose a Trusted Lotto Site · Ensure the site is licensed and regulated – like our featured lotto operators.
- Create Your Account · Sign up by providing the required personal details – and verify your identity.
- Deposit Funds · Deposit money into your account, considering any minimum deposit requirements.
- Choose a Lottery Draw · Browse the selection of lottery games available – consider jackpot sizes, odds, and draw dates.
- Pick Your Numbers · You can manually select your numbers or use a quick pick option – decide on how many lines and draws you want to play.
- Buy Your Ticket · Review your selections and the total cost, then confirm the purchase using your account funds.
- Enjoy the Draw · Many sites offer the option to watch live draws or check the results online – some UK lotto sites automatically notify you if you win.
- Collect Winnings · If you win, prizes are usually credited directly to your online account.
- Play Responsibly · Set limits and stick to them – remember: lotto games are for fun, not for making money.
Once you’re all set up, you can enjoy the flexibility of online lotto betting, with options such as the ability to easily replay your favourite numbers next time you participate.
What Is a Lottery Syndicate?
A lottery syndicate[1] is a group of players who purchase tickets together and then share the top prize in proportion to the contribution of each player in the group.
It’s proven that lottery syndicates improve your chances of winning while paying way less for tickets than you would have had solo. All syndicate UK lotto players pool money and buy tickets for a single draw, meaning there’s more lottery betting in a single draw for less money, and better odds of winning!
Since it’s so easy to play in lottery syndicates, we can presume it’s possible to play that way online too. You can even look for lottery syndicates online. At certain websites, you can join a group, which will later become a lottery syndicate hungry for that top prize and alluring odds of winning.
Pros and Cons of Playing Lotteries Online
In the UK, over 32 million players participate in the national lottery each week, hoping for the odds of winning to favour them. A reason for this is the burning desire of people to live comfortably and not worry about their finances.
The UK offers universal access to instant win games and lottery tickets at just about every corner shop. Unfortunately, not all lotteries have the same jackpots and many would prefer to play for the ones offering a higher chance of winning. This is where the best online lottery sites come into play.
- Pros
-
- Great Lottery Variety
- Easy Cash Outs
- Cannot Lose Your Ticket
- Convenient to Play
- Keep Track of Your Money
- You Skip Queuing
- Cons
-
- Lower Gambling Rush
- Not Too Exciting
The first advantage of online lottery ticket platforms is the immense choice you have. Many countries offer enticing lottory betting, which can be quite intriguing to international players looking for different options.
Thanks to online lottery sites – you can now browse through various lottery draws outside of your country and quickly take part with a single push of a button. Another advantage is that you can easily cash out even the smallest of winnings from the prize tiers.
With lottery sites, all winnings are paid automatically to your player account. Once you win a small amount of money, you usually get the opportunity to either have it sent to you or to play more lotto games with it. Many players find this to be extremely convenient.
A dreaded lost winning ticket is something that can’t happen to you when you buy from lottery sites. This eliminates the stress of potentially losing a ticket – phew! Thanks to the best gambling apps in the UK – from operators that also feature in this article – you get to keep your ticket in your picket, albeit digitally.
The Top 3 Lotto Jackpots in the world
There are numerous lottery betting options out there, but some are more popular due to their larger jackpots, albeit offering less chance of winning. In the following paragraphs, we will briefly look at the three most famous lotto betting games worldwide and their outstanding top prizes.
Mega Millions
Mega Millions is an American multi-draw lottery game, offered in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands. Mega Millions is drawn at 11 pm Eastern Time on Tuesday and Friday. The largest jackpot win in Mega Millions history was $1.537 billion, for the October 23, 2018 draw.
Powerball
The US Powerball lottery game is offered by 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Draws are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 pm Eastern Time. On 8 November, 2022, the US Powerball produced the biggest lottery jackpot in history: the $2.04 billion jackpot[2] was an instant win for one lucky punter from California.
Euromillions
EuroMillions, a cross-border lottery, is available in nine European nations, encompassing the UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Switzerland. To claim the jackpot, participants must accurately select seven numbers, combining 5 primary numbers with 2 Lucky Star numbers. The starting jackpot is set at €17 million, with the potential to grow to a cap of €250 million. Weekly draws are conducted on Tuesday and Friday evenings.
What Happens if You Win the Lottery Online?
We’ve already discussed the pros and cons of playing at lottery sites in the UK. These include convenience, easy cashouts, and greater international ticket variety. It is absolutely safe to play online, and we’ve reviewed the signs of a licensed lotto operator.
If you get lucky and score a win from purchasing a lotto ticket online, you will be notified and the money will be securely transferred to your account. It’s the same when playing at the best casino sites in the UK.
The recommended operators are compatible with Android, iOS, and iPad devices. So, if you prefer to enjoy your favourite lotto games on the go, the process of purchasing a ticket and withdrawing potential winnings is pretty much the same.
All you need to do is stay safe and stick within your limits. Responsible gambling is crucial, even if you only buy lottery tickets online once a month – only playing with money you can afford to lose is how many players maintain healthy gambling practices.
Frequently Asked Questions About UK Online Lottery
If the information which we’ve provided in our extensive UK online lottery review wasn’t sufficient, then it would be for the best if you check the most frequently asked questions regarding UK lottery websites. We’ve gathered the most interesting queries with answers which will surely help you along the way.
What are the best online lottery sites?
As we outline in our guide to the best online lottery sites in the UK, the top choices are those regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, ensuring safety, fairness, and responsible gaming. Look for sites with a strong reputation, secure payment options, and a user-friendly experience to safely enjoy a wide range of lottery games.
How to play lotteries online?
To play lotteries online, choose a reputable, UKGC-regulated site. Then, create an account, deposit funds using a secure payment method, select your preferred lottery, pick your numbers or use a quick-pick option, and finally, purchase your ticket. Learn more with our mini guide to playing lottery online.
How many people play the UK lottery each week?
According to a national UK government survey, 44% of participants played a national lottery game at least once in the previous 12 months. You can learn more about demograpahics and reasons for playing via the linked survey.
What happens if you win the online lotto in the UK?
Surely, it will be an experience which you'll remember forever, and one thing which you'll need to do is to step up and claim your prize. Apart from that, playing lotto online is safe and with the benefits attached to it, you have even better chances of winning the lottery!
How to buy lottery tickets online?
New customers to lottery sites, you'll need to follow just a few easy steps. Having an account is essential, as well as the necessary funds needed to participate in a draw. However, bear in mind that you have lots of options to choose from, so our advice is to buy a lottery ticket which you feel you're most familiar with!
Has anyone ever won the lottery with a Lucky Dip?
Yes! Lucky Dips allow lottery players to pick their numbers randomly and in an instant. It's convenient and saves time for players who prefer not to use the same numbers week in week out. The UK Lottery occasionally publishes winner's stories - such as this one, in which the jackpot came courtesy of a Lucky Dip.
Can you play the Mega Millions from the UK?
Mega Millions has turned out to be one of the best online lottery draws around. It proves to have great jackpot odds as there have been lots of people who've won the Mega Millions jackpot. It's currently in the top 3 draws when it comes to paying out the biggest lottery jackpots in history.
How do I change my lottery numbers online?
When you buy lottery tickets for recommended online lotto sites in the UK, you choose specific numbers you want to play with. In case of mistakes, you would need to delete your ticket and generate a new one. Note that the removed one will run regardless until the end of the payment period for the month.
References
This guide to UK lotto sites was created using a range of authoritative sources and industry insights. Below, we present a list of references and helpful links that you might consider valuable as further reading on the topic.
- Gambling Commission. (n.d.). The National Lottery. [online] Available at: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-and-players/the-national-lottery. (Accessed 01.03.2024)
- www.gambleaware.org. (n.d.). National Gambling Support Network | GambleAware. [online] Available at: https://www.gambleaware.org/ngsn. (Accessed 01.03.2024)
- Wikipedia. (2020). Lottery. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lottery. (Accessed 01.03.2024)
- The National Lottery. (n.d.). Syndicates / Games. [online] Available at: https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/games/syndicates. (Accessed 01.03.2024)
- AP News. (2023). What are the 10 largest US lottery jackpots ever won? [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/lottery-jackpot-mega-millions-powerball-b77dd9c7de3f0ab09545a01113b1f111. (Accessed 01.03.2024)