Getting an email from the National Lottery saying you may have won a prize could leave you wondering what to do next. It is completely normal to be unsure about what these prize emails actually mean.
This guide explains everything you could need to know about National Lottery good news emails, so you can understand what happens and what to look out for.
Where National Lottery Emails Come From
If you play the National Lottery online, you will receive emails from the address you used when registering your account. These messages may contain information about your tickets, reminders about draws, or news about games. Importantly, if you win a prize, you may get a “good news” email informing you about your account.
Official emails from the National Lottery will never ask for your banking details or passwords. Instead, they invite you to log in to your official account to view the information there.
You might also receive promotional messages or updates about new games. If you prefer not to get certain types of emails, you can change your communication preferences through your account settings.
Physical lottery tickets bought in shops are a bit different. Since there’s no digital record connecting the ticket to your email, you will not usually receive any email messages related to store-bought tickets.
How to Spot a Genuine National Lottery Prize Email
It’s important to recognise a genuine National Lottery prize winner message. The subject will often hint at good news or prompt you to check your account, but details about your prize are not usually shown in the email. Instead, you will be asked to log in to your official account on the National Lottery website.
Real messages always come from an official address ending in “@national-lottery.co.uk”. Take care to look for clear English and check for any spelling mistakes or unusual formatting, as these can be signs of a scam.
You won’t see your prize amount in the email, just a note such as “We have some news about your ticket.” Only by logging in will you see the full details.
No legitimate message will request bank details or security information. If you receive a message asking for these, do not reply.
What to Expect in a National Lottery Win Email
A proper National Lottery email uses simple wording and does not tell you how much you’ve won. It often says you have news about a ticket or encourages you to check your online account for details.
Genuine emails have the correct branding and may use your first name at the top, as they are usually sent to the registered account holder. Any link in the email will direct you to log in through the official website—never through another service or third-party site.
You should not find any attachments or requests for personal details. If you do, it’s best to be cautious and follow the steps already outlined about what is and isn’t included in real winner notifications.
To double-check if an email is really from the National Lottery, it could be helpful to visit their official website directly and check the examples of genuine winning emails.
How Winners Are Contacted by the National Lottery
The way winners are notified depends on how you bought your ticket. If you purchased online, an email asking you to log in to view your results is the main method of notification. For some, account holders may also get app alerts or texts if they’ve set up notifications.
For shop-bought tickets, you find out about small wins by checking your ticket in-store or through the National Lottery app. If your prize is over a certain amount, you may be told to contact the National Lottery or fill in a claim form. For large prizes over £50,000, the National Lottery will contact you directly to confirm your identity. This usually involves a phone call and a meeting before payment.
Notifications and claiming processes vary by the size of the prize:
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Online tickets: Emails alert you to log in for details, with payment either to your account or your bank, depending on the amount.
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Retail tickets: Prize information is only available at participating shops or through the official app, with larger wins handled by dedicated teams.
No genuine notification will ever ask you to pay a fee to claim winnings.
Recognising and Avoiding Scam Emails
Scam emails often try to look convincing, but there are warning signs you can look out for. Pay attention to the email address: genuine messages always come from “@national-lottery.co.uk”. Messages that do not use your real name, contain spelling mistakes, or look unusual can be warning signs.
Scam messages might also pressure you to act quickly, ask for bank details or personal documents, or direct you to unfamiliar websites. As mentioned before, you should never send bank details, passwords, or identification by replying to any email.
If you ever doubt the authenticity of a message, do not click on any links—instead, visit the National Lottery website directly using your usual method. You can also report suspicious emails to Action Fraud, the UK’s reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime. Guidance is always available on the official National Lottery site if you want more advice on staying safe.
When You Get Paid – National Lottery Payout Times
How fast you receive a payout depends on both the prize amount and whether you played online or in-store.
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Online, up to £500: Prizes are usually paid into your National Lottery account shortly after the draw. You can then withdraw to your bank account.
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Online, £501 to £30,000: You may need to confirm some details for security. After this, the money goes into your bank account, usually within five working days.
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Online, over £30,000: The National Lottery will contact you directly. These larger prizes require additional checks- usually a meeting- before funds are transferred by bank transfer.
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Retail tickets: Winnings up to £500 can be claimed from any retailer. Larger prizes require you to visit a National Lottery regional centre, with payment made by bank transfer once everything is confirmed.
No matter the method, you will never be asked to pay a fee to receive your prize. Players should always remember to gamble responsibly and within their means- never wager more than you can afford to lose.
**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.