Postcode Lottery vs National Lottery: Odds Compared
This guide looks at two well-known draw-based lottery games in the UK — the People’s Postcode Lottery and the National Lottery’s Lotto game. You’ll learn how each one works, how much it costs to take part, and how the odds compare. We’ll also cover what makes each game different, with a focus on responsible play.
These are games of chance, and the outcomes are completely random. There’s no skill involved, and nothing can influence the result. It’s important to take part for fun, and only if it fits your personal budget.
How Does The Postcode Lottery Work?
The People’s Postcode Lottery works on a monthly subscription. You pay £12.25 per month, and this enters your postcode into every draw during that period. The postcode on your account becomes your ticket. You don’t pick numbers.
Draws are held daily, but only postcodes linked to active tickets are included. This means there are winners in every draw, though which postcode is picked is random.
In 2024, about 87% of players won at least one prize across the year. These have included small voucher rewards, daily cash prizes of £1,000 per ticket for 20 postcodes, and a £1 million prize shared between households in one postcode every Saturday. Larger shared prizes are awarded during specific months. For example, in April and December 2025, at least £12 million and £18 million will be split among households in selected postcode sectors.
The lottery does not publish fixed odds. This is because the number of players and tickets varies. In March 2025, 15.67% of participating postcodes won a prize, though this figure can change from month to month.
How Does The National Lottery Work?
The National Lottery’s Lotto game follows a format where you pick six numbers between 1 and 59. Each line costs £2.
Every draw involves six main numbers and one Bonus Ball. The Bonus Ball only matters if you match five of the main numbers.
The jackpot goes to any player who matches all six main numbers. If no one does, the prize rolls over to the next draw. This can happen up to five times before a “Must Be Won” draw. In those draws, if no one wins the jackpot, the prize is shared across other prize tiers.
Lotto draws are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. You can play by buying tickets for individual draws and can either choose your own numbers, or go for a Lucky Dip selection.
All outcomes are random. Playing responsibly means setting limits and knowing that winning isn’t something you can influence or expect.
Postcode Lottery Odds & Prizes
The People’s Postcode Lottery doesn’t offer fixed odds for each prize tier because it depends on how many tickets are in play. Each draw only includes active postcodes, and this number changes monthly.
Your monthly subscription enters your postcode into multiple draws. These include:
Daily cash prizes of £1,000 for 20 winning postcodes
A weekly £1 million prize shared between players in one postcode
£250,000 shared monthly between May and November
Larger shared prize draws in April and December
Some postcodes may win more than once across different draws. However, all results are random. Previous wins don’t impact future outcomes.
Under current UK regulations, society lottery tickets — like those used in the Postcode Lottery — are subject to a maximum prize cap. The highest prize that can be paid out on a single ticket is £500,000, in line with the Gambling Act 2005.
National Lottery Odds & Prizes
The Lotto offers set prize amounts for most winning combinations. The jackpot starts at £2 million for Wednesday draws and £3.8 million for Saturday draws, and it can grow if not won.
Here’s how the odds and prizes work:
Match 2 numbers Odds: 1 in 10.3 Prize: Free Lotto Lucky Dip
Match 3 numbers Odds: 1 in 97 Prize: £30
Match 4 numbers Odds: 1 in 2,180 Prize: £140
Match 5 numbers Odds: 1 in 144,415 Prize: £1,750
Match 5 numbers + Bonus Ball Odds: 1 in 7,509,579 Prize: £1 million
Match 6 numbers Odds: 1 in 45,057,474 Prize: Jackpot
If the jackpot isn’t won after five rollovers, the “Must Be Won” draw takes place. If no one matches all six numbers in that draw, the jackpot is split across other prize tiers. This means players who match fewer numbers might receive more than the usual prize in those cases.
Like all lotteries, results are random. There’s no way to change the outcome of the draw.
Postcode Lottery vs National Lottery: Which Is Best?
Choosing between the People’s Postcode Lottery and the National Lottery’s Lotto depends on what suits your preferences.
The Postcode Lottery works on a subscription basis. Once you sign up, your postcode is entered into all draws that month. You don’t need to pick numbers or remember to buy tickets.
Lotto gives you the choice to play whenever you like. You can select your own numbers or use a Lucky Dip. Prizes for matching six numbers can grow to higher amounts, especially if the jackpot rolls over.
Both lotteries raise money for charities and good causes in the UK. The People’s Postcode Lottery gives about 30% of ticket sales to charities. A portion of every National Lottery ticket also supports community projects and national funding.
Each game has its own structure, cost, and possible prize setup. Make sure to read the terms and check what works best for your preferences and budget.
*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.
This guide looks at two well-known draw-based lottery games in the UK — the People’s Postcode Lottery and the National Lottery’s Lotto game. You’ll learn how each one works, how much it costs to take part, and how the odds compare. We’ll also cover what makes each game different, with a focus on responsible play.
These are games of chance, and the outcomes are completely random. There’s no skill involved, and nothing can influence the result. It’s important to take part for fun, and only if it fits your personal budget.
How Does The Postcode Lottery Work?
The People’s Postcode Lottery works on a monthly subscription. You pay £12.25 per month, and this enters your postcode into every draw during that period. The postcode on your account becomes your ticket. You don’t pick numbers.
Draws are held daily, but only postcodes linked to active tickets are included. This means there are winners in every draw, though which postcode is picked is random.
In 2024, about 87% of players won at least one prize across the year. These have included small voucher rewards, daily cash prizes of £1,000 per ticket for 20 postcodes, and a £1 million prize shared between households in one postcode every Saturday. Larger shared prizes are awarded during specific months. For example, in April and December 2025, at least £12 million and £18 million will be split among households in selected postcode sectors.
The lottery does not publish fixed odds. This is because the number of players and tickets varies. In March 2025, 15.67% of participating postcodes won a prize, though this figure can change from month to month.
How Does The National Lottery Work?
The National Lottery’s Lotto game follows a format where you pick six numbers between 1 and 59. Each line costs £2.
Every draw involves six main numbers and one Bonus Ball. The Bonus Ball only matters if you match five of the main numbers.
The jackpot goes to any player who matches all six main numbers. If no one does, the prize rolls over to the next draw. This can happen up to five times before a “Must Be Won” draw. In those draws, if no one wins the jackpot, the prize is shared across other prize tiers.
Lotto draws are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. You can play by buying tickets for individual draws and can either choose your own numbers, or go for a Lucky Dip selection.
All outcomes are random. Playing responsibly means setting limits and knowing that winning isn’t something you can influence or expect.
Postcode Lottery Odds & Prizes
The People’s Postcode Lottery doesn’t offer fixed odds for each prize tier because it depends on how many tickets are in play. Each draw only includes active postcodes, and this number changes monthly.
Your monthly subscription enters your postcode into multiple draws. These include:
Daily cash prizes of £1,000 for 20 winning postcodes
A weekly £1 million prize shared between players in one postcode
£250,000 shared monthly between May and November
Larger shared prize draws in April and December
Some postcodes may win more than once across different draws. However, all results are random. Previous wins don’t impact future outcomes.
Under current UK regulations, society lottery tickets — like those used in the Postcode Lottery — are subject to a maximum prize cap. The highest prize that can be paid out on a single ticket is £500,000, in line with the Gambling Act 2005.
National Lottery Odds & Prizes
The Lotto offers set prize amounts for most winning combinations. The jackpot starts at £2 million for Wednesday draws and £3.8 million for Saturday draws, and it can grow if not won.
Here’s how the odds and prizes work:
Match 2 numbers Odds: 1 in 10.3 Prize: Free Lotto Lucky Dip
Match 3 numbers Odds: 1 in 97 Prize: £30
Match 4 numbers Odds: 1 in 2,180 Prize: £140
Match 5 numbers Odds: 1 in 144,415 Prize: £1,750
Match 5 numbers + Bonus Ball Odds: 1 in 7,509,579 Prize: £1 million
Match 6 numbers Odds: 1 in 45,057,474 Prize: Jackpot
If the jackpot isn’t won after five rollovers, the “Must Be Won” draw takes place. If no one matches all six numbers in that draw, the jackpot is split across other prize tiers. This means players who match fewer numbers might receive more than the usual prize in those cases.
Like all lotteries, results are random. There’s no way to change the outcome of the draw.
Postcode Lottery vs National Lottery: Which Is Best?
Choosing between the People’s Postcode Lottery and the National Lottery’s Lotto depends on what suits your preferences.
The Postcode Lottery works on a subscription basis. Once you sign up, your postcode is entered into all draws that month. You don’t need to pick numbers or remember to buy tickets.
Lotto gives you the choice to play whenever you like. You can select your own numbers or use a Lucky Dip. Prizes for matching six numbers can grow to higher amounts, especially if the jackpot rolls over.
Both lotteries raise money for charities and good causes in the UK. The People’s Postcode Lottery gives about 30% of ticket sales to charities. A portion of every National Lottery ticket also supports community projects and national funding.
Each game has its own structure, cost, and possible prize setup. Make sure to read the terms and check what works best for your preferences and budget.
*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.
