It’s easy to get caught up in the fun of playing a scratchcard, or picking your lottery numbers. But once the draw’s over or the scratch panel’s revealed, the clock starts ticking. Whether you’ve tucked a winning ticket in your wallet or found an old scratchcard in a drawer, knowing the expiry dates could make all the difference.
This blog covers everything you need to know about claiming any National Lottery prizes before it’s too late, how to check if your ticket is still valid, and what happens if it’s damaged or expired. It’s designed to help you understand how time limits work, especially if you’ve never had to claim a prize before. Let’s take a closer look at how the UK National Lottery usually handles ticket expiry and prize claims.
How to Tell If Your Lottery Ticket Is Still Valid
Lottery tickets bought from a UK National Lottery retailer don’t have an obvious “use by” date printed on them. However, there is a clear deadline.
You have 180 days from the draw date to claim any potential prize. That’s just under six months. The countdown begins the moment the draw takes place, not the date you bought the ticket.
If you’re unsure when the draw was, check the draw date printed on your ticket. You can then count 180 days from that point to see if any prize is still claimable.
If you bought your ticket online or via the National Lottery app, the system will track the date and may even notify you of a possible win. Physical tickets, though, rely on you keeping track.
Time Frames for Claiming Your Lottery Prizes
If you’ve bought a National Lottery draw-based ticket in-store, you have 180 days from the date of the draw to claim any prize.
The countdown starts on the day the numbers are drawn, not the day you purchased the ticket.
Here’s how to claim a potential prize, depending on how much you've won:
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Prizes of £100 or less: Most National Lottery retailers are required to pay these. Retailers with till-point terminals may only pay up to £50. Some may pay straight onto a debit card instead of giving cash.
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Prizes from £100.01 to £500: Some retailers may pay these, either in cash or to a debit card, but they are not required to.
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Prizes from £500.01 up to £50,000: These can no longer be claimed at Post Offices. If you’ve played in-store, you’ll need to start your claim online. Your original ticket will be required.
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Prizes over £50,000: You must contact the National Lottery directly to register your win. They will arrange an appointment for you to claim your prize in person.
Scratch Card Expiry Dates: What You Need to Know
Scratchcards, also issued by the UK National Lottery, follow a slightly different route, but with the same 180-day limit from the official game closure date, not from when you buy it or scratch it.
Each scratchcard game has a different closing date. This is when the National Lottery decides to stop distributing that particular game – perhaps due to low sales, a newer version being launched, or all prizes being claimed.
Once a scratchcard game is closed, a public announcement is made on the official National Lottery website. From that date, you have 180 days to claim any prizes.
It’s important to know that the purchase date printed on the receipt means very little when it comes to prize expiry. What matters is when the National Lottery officially stops selling that scratchcard game.
Checking Scratch Card Dates
To find out whether your scratchcard is still valid, you’ll need to check the official National Lottery website’s scratchcard game closures section. This will show you:
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The name of the scratchcard game
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The official closure date
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The last date to claim any prizes
You won’t find an expiry date printed directly on the scratchcard itself, which makes it important to keep track of the game name and regularly check online if you tend to keep scratchcards for a while before playing or claiming.
If you’re unsure about the scratchcard name, look for the game number printed in small writing on the back. This can help you match it up on the list.
What To Do With Expired Lottery Tickets
Unfortunately, once a lottery ticket or scratchcard passes the 180-day claim period, it’s no longer valid – even if it’s a winning one. Claims outside of this period usually won’t be accepted.
Expired tickets can’t be reactivated or extended, and there’s no compensation available. This is why keeping your tickets in a safe, memorable place is key, and why checking them soon after the draw or scratching is recommended.
If a prize goes unclaimed after 180 days, the funds are typically transferred to the National Lottery’s Good Causes fund, where they’re used to support charitable projects across the UK.
Can You Still Claim Ripped Scratch Cards or Lottery Tickets?
You might still be able to claim a prize on a damaged ticket or scratchcard, but there are some conditions.
The key requirement is that the ticket or scratchcard must still be identifiable. This usually means:
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The barcode or unique reference number is intact
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The security codes are visible
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Enough of the ticket is legible to confirm it matches a winning draw or prize
If your ticket is torn, water-damaged or faded, but still shows key details, you can send it to the National Lottery for review. They’ll assess whether the claim is valid.
However, if the essential information is missing or unclear, your claim may be rejected. It’s important not to attempt to repair or tamper with the ticket, as this could affect the outcome of the assessment.
For all damaged tickets or scratchcards, it’s best to contact the National Lottery as soon as possible to start the process within the 180-day period.
Playing scratchcards and lottery games can be enjoyable, but it’s important to remember they’re games of chance. There are no strategies that can change the outcome, and no win is ever guaranteed. Set limits that are right for you and avoid chasing any losses. If gambling stops being fun or starts to feel like a problem, support is available. Visit gambleaware.org for free advice and help.
*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.