The text below has been taken directly from Camelot's leaflet 'HOW TO PLAY', which is freely available from National Lottery retailers. Just to be clear, although this is an unauthorised copy of the leaflet, I am in no way claiming any ownership of, or credit for, the following text, which has been reproduced here solely for the benefit of my visitors.
IT COULD BE YOU
The more numbers you match, the more money you can win. Below, you'll see how the prize money will be shared out and what the odds are of winning at each level. It is estimated that there will be around a million winners every week.
| Winning Selections |
Odds | Your Estimated Prize* |
| Jackpot. Match 6 main numbers |
1 in 13,983,816 | £2,000,000 |
| Match 5 main numbers plus the bonus number |
1 in 2,330,636 | £100,000 |
| Match 5 main numbers |
1 in 55,492 | £1,500 |
| Match 4 main numbers |
1 in 1,033 | £62 |
| Match 3 main numbers |
1 in 57 | £10 |
The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 54
It's worth remembering that the exact value of prizes depends on how many tickets are sold and how many people match the same quantity of numbers as you. For example, if two or more people match the six main numbers drawn, then the jackpot is split between them.
Match 3 prizes will always be £10 except in the extremely unlikely event that the prize fund (45% of the draw sales) is insufficient to give all winners £10 each. If it is, then the whole of the prize fund is shared equally by all prize winners.
MULTI-DRAW
This allows you to use the same numbers (including any Lucky Dip selections) each draw, for up to eight weeks. On the playslip you will find a column marked 'No. of Weeks'.
Mark the number of weeks you want your numbers to be entered into. You must pay for your required number of weeks in advance.
ROLL-OVERS
If no-one has chosen the six main numbers drawn, no-one wins the jackpot prize and it is rolled over to the next draw eg: if nobody wins a Saturday draw, the jackpot rolls over to the following Wednesday. If nobody wins a Wednesday draw, the jackpot rolls over to the following Saturday.
If the jackpot is not won after four consecutive draws, the final jackpot fund will be shared out between the players who have matched five of the six main numbers plus the bonus number in the fourth draw.
CLAIMING YOUR PRIZE
If your prize is up to £75, you can claim it in cash from any National Lottery retailer. All you've got to do is give them your winning ticket to validate through their Lottery terminal. The terminal will then produce a validation slip which will show the value of your prize. Check this against the amount paid out and return it to the retailer. At their discretion, all retailers can pay prizes up to £200 in cash.
Some National Lottery retailers are authorised to pay prizes of up to £500. National Lottery Post Offices will pay out prizes of up to £10,000, though prizes over £500 will be paid by cheque.
Anything above £10,000 must be claimed in person from a National Lottery Regional Centre and will be paid by cheque (no cash is held on these premises).
If you match all six main numbers, or five plus the bonus number, please call The National Lottery Line immediately for assistance in claiming your prize. Ring 0645 100 000 (calls normally charged at local rate in the UK).
To claim any prize above £500 you will have to complete a Claim Form and give proof of your identity. If you are claiming a large prize, additional checks on your winning ticket may be conducted. All National Lottery prizes must be claimed by 11.00pm, 180 days after the winning draw.
You can also claim your winnings by post. Send your winning ticket and the completed Claim Form to this address:
Remember, The National Lottery accepts no responsibility for tickets lost in the post.
PUBLICITY
If you are a winner, The National Lottery will only reveal your identity if you give written consent to publicity. It's important if you have won a major prize to telephone The National Lottery line immediately and certainly before you tell anyone else, so that we can advise you of your publicity options.
FUN FOR YOU, FUNDS FOR GOOD CAUSES
Don't forget, every time you play The National Lottery, you help a good cause. About 28% of The National Lottery proceeds will, over the period of Camelot's operating licence, go to the five Good Causes - The Sports Councils, The Arts Councils, The National Lottery Charities Board, The National Heritage Memorial Fund and The Millennium Commission which has been set up to celebrate the advent of the year 2000.
If you have any questions or complaints about The National Lottery ask your National Lottery retailer or phone The National Lottery Line on 0645 100 000 (calls normally charged at the local rate in the UK). Or you can write to this address:
For the hard of hearing please call Minicom on 0645 100 045.
NOW YOU KNOW HOW, THERE'S NOTHING TO STOP YOU PLAYING. REMEMBER, THE NEXT JACKPOT WINNER COULD BE YOU.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
You must be 16 years or over to play The National Lottery or claim a prize. You must have purchased your National Lottery ticket by 7.30pm on the day of the relevant draw, to take part in that draw.
Information about The National Lottery including the Player Code of Practice is available at all National Lottery retailers. If you are unable to get to a National Lottery retailer, call The National Lottery Subscription Line on 0645 125 000 and ask for information on the subscription service (calls normally charged at the local rate in UK).
Your National Lottery Regional Centres are located in:
| Belfast | Glasgow | Reigate |
| Birmingham | Leeds | Sunderland |
| Cardiff | Liverpool | Watford |
| Exeter | London |
Ask your National Lottery retailer for the full address.
*Subject to the Rules for On-line Games and The National Lottery Games Procedures, (as amended from time to time).
In the event of any discrepancy between this leaflet and the Games Rules and Procedures (as amended from time to time), the Games Rules and Procedures apply.
THE NATIONAL LOTTERY
© Camelot Group plc. The National Lottery, PO Box 287, Watford, Herts WD1 8TT
MWHTPL 1296