If you've ever seen a Lotto jackpot roll over several times in a row, you might have heard about a "Must Be Won" draw. But what actually happens when this occurs? And what does a quadruple rollover mean for your ticket?
This blog explains how these special Lotto draws typically work in the UK. Whether you’re new to lottery-style games, or just curious about why some draws offer bigger potential payouts, this guide helps break down the process.
How a Quadruple Rollover Build-Up Works
In the UK Lotto, a jackpot rollover happens when no one matches all six main numbers in a draw. Instead of being paid out, the jackpot rolls over to the next scheduled game, making the top potential prize larger.
A quadruple rollover means this process has happened four times in a row. The jackpot has grown over four consecutive draws without a winner. If this happens, the next draw—the fifth one—is a “Must Be Won” draw. That means the top prize cannot roll over again and must be paid out in some form.
For example, if no ticket matches all six numbers in the “Must Be Won” draw, the money that would have gone to the jackpot is instead shared across other prize categories. More on that below.
This rule applies to the UK Lotto, which follows specific structures set by the National Lottery. If you're looking at a different lottery—such as the Thunderball, EuroMillions, or an overseas draw—the limits and potential payout rules may differ. It may be a good idea to check each game's official information before entering.
Lottery games are entirely based on random number draws. There’s no skill involved, and no result can be predicted in advance.
Why the Jackpot Doesn’t Keep Rolling Forever
In the UK Lotto, jackpots can’t roll over endlessly. To keep the game manageable and fair, there’s a cap on how many times the top prize can roll over. Specifically, the jackpot is allowed to roll over a maximum of four times. If no one wins after those four draws, the fifth draw becomes a “Must Be Won” draw.
In that fifth draw, if no ticket matches all six main numbers, the jackpot doesn’t roll over again. Instead, it’s shared among any successful winners in the lower prize tiers, through a process known as a rolldown.
This rule helps avoid excessively large jackpots and ensures the prize fund benefits more players if the top prize goes unclaimed.
The Truth Behind Must Be Won Lottery Draws
In a “Must Be Won” draw, there are two possible outcomes:
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Someone matches all six main numbers – they win the full jackpot amount.
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No one matches all six numbers – the jackpot enters what’s known as a rolldown.
In a rolldown, the jackpot is split across any winners in the lower prize groups. These include people who matched five numbers plus the Bonus Ball, five numbers, four numbers, or even just three numbers—depending on the number of winners in each group.
The allocation of the prize fund is managed by the National Lottery. The percentage added to each tier is determined using a fixed structure for “Must Be Won” draws. The actual cash amount each winner receives will depend on how many tickets were bought and how many winners there are in each tier.
Because the jackpot is being shared, rather than awarded to a single ticket, some players in the lower tiers may potentially see a higher payout than usual in these draws. However, these outcomes are based entirely on chance.
How Are Winnings Shared in a Quadruple Rollover?
If no one wins the jackpot in a “Must Be Won” draw, the jackpot money is not lost—it’s redistributed to winners in lower prize categories. This redistribution is what’s referred to as a jackpot rolldown.
Here’s how it works in practice:
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The total jackpot fund is divided based on fixed percentages across prize groups.
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Those matching five numbers and the Bonus Ball will receive the highest share.
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Other groups, such as those matching five numbers, four numbers, or three numbers, may also receive boosted prizes.
For example, in a standard Lotto draw, matching three numbers usually earns a fixed amount, currently £30. In a “Must Be Won” draw where the jackpot rolls down, this amount may increase, depending on how much is available to distribute and how many winners there are.
What If No One Hits the Jackpot?
In a “Must Be Won” draw, if no ticket matches all six main numbers, the jackpot is still awarded—just not in the usual way.
Instead of carrying over to another draw, it’s shared out among other prize categories using the rolldown process already explained.
For example, if the jackpot reaches £12 million and no one matches all six numbers in that fifth rollover draw, that £12 million is added to the lower prize tiers. The exact payout depends on how many players win in those groups and how many tickets were sold for that draw.
Who Gets the Prize Instead?
The extra funds from the jackpot are shared among winners in the prize tiers below the jackpot. These include players who matched:
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Five numbers + Bonus Ball
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Five numbers
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Four numbers
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Three numbers
Payouts can vary depending on how many winners are in each group. For instance, if only a few players match five numbers, their share could be significantly larger than usual.
The UK Lotto follows a set formula to decide how the jackpot is distributed during a rolldown. Other lotteries may follow different rules, so if you’re entering a non-Lotto game, it may be worth reviewing their terms in advance.
Is a Quadruple Rollover the Same as a Roll Down?
Not quite. These terms are linked, but refer to different parts of the process.
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A quadruple rollover means the jackpot has gone unclaimed in four consecutive draws.
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A rolldown happens during the fifth rollover draw, which is the “Must Be Won” event.
In other words, a quadruple rollover leads up to the “Must Be Won” draw, and the rolldown is the mechanism used if the jackpot still isn’t won at that stage.
If you're looking at other lotteries, it can be worth checking how they define rollovers and what might trigger a forced payout—some may use different caps or criteria.
When Does the Lottery Force a Payout?
In the UK Lotto, a forced payout may take place in the fifth draw, after the jackpot has rolled over four times without a winner. This fifth draw is called a “Must Be Won” draw, and the jackpot can no longer roll over.
If someone matches all six main numbers in that draw, they win the jackpot as normal. If no one does, the prize fund is rolled down and shared among winners in the lower prize tiers.
Each draw is random, and there’s no way to influence or predict the outcome. If you’re considering entering a different lottery—like the EuroMillions or Thunderball—it can be worth checking the game’s own rules to see how and when jackpots are paid out.
How a Quadruple Rollover Changes the Game
When the jackpot rolls over four times without a winner, the next draw becomes a “Must Be Won” draw. This changes how the prize fund is handled compared to a standard Lotto draw.
Although the odds of matching all six numbers stay exactly the same, the way prizes are distributed may shift—especially if the jackpot isn’t won. In that case, players in the lower prize tiers could receive larger possible payouts than usual, depending on the number of winners and how the jackpot is shared.
This structure doesn't improve your chances of winning, but it can affect how the prize money is divided if the top prize goes unclaimed.
Do Players Actually Win More in a Must Be Won?
In some cases, yes. During a rolldown, winners in the lower prize tiers may receive larger payouts than in a standard draw.
For example:
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A person who matches five numbers might usually win around £1,750.
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In a “Must Be Won” draw with a rolldown, that prize could increase significantly, depending on the jackpot fund and the number of winners.
These increases aren’t guaranteed and depend entirely on how the prize fund is distributed after the draw. They also vary from draw to draw.
As with all lottery games, the results are random, and outcomes can’t be predicted.
The Lotto and other draw-based games are games of chance. No strategy can change the odds, and spending more won’t improve your chances.
If gambling stops feeling enjoyable, support is available at GAMSTOP.
*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.
**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.