Wondering if the National Lottery app is available at any hour? Many people in the UK open it late at night or first thing in the morning, only to find they can’t buy tickets or check results.
Knowing when different features are available helps avoid last‑minute hiccups. There’s more to it than you might expect, especially around draw days and Instant Win Games.
This guide sets out when the app is open, the usual cut‑off times, and what to do if it’s unavailable. If gambling ever stops feeling enjoyable, free help is available from BeGambleAware and GamCare.
Are Ticket Sales Available 24/7?
It’s a common assumption, but ticket sales on the app are not open around the clock. Each day there is a pause overnight when you cannot buy entries.
For most draw games, sales typically stop from about 11pm until around 6am. This pause also allows for maintenance and essential updates. On the day of a draw, there is an earlier cut‑off for that specific game. For example, Lotto entries usually close at 7.30pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Once sales end, you cannot enter that day’s draw, but you can still buy tickets for future draws when sales reopen. The app usually displays a clear message telling you when sales are closed and when they will resume.
With that in mind, it helps to know the usual cut‑off points for each game.
Typical Cut-Off Times For Lotto, EuroMillions And Instant Games
Different games follow the same broad pattern, with entries closing before the draw and overnight pauses for sales.
For Lotto, which draws on Wednesdays and Saturdays, entries usually close at 7.30pm on the day of the draw. This gives time for all purchases to be processed.
EuroMillions follows the same cut‑off on Tuesdays and Fridays, with sales generally closing at 7.30pm on draw nights. After this time, you can still buy entries for future draws.
Thunderball and Set For Life also close entries at 7.30pm on their draw days. Thunderball runs more frequently during the week, but the cut‑off remains consistent.
Instant Win Games in the app, such as online scratchcards and interactive titles, are normally available daily from 6am until 11pm. Outside these hours they are paused, even on weekends and public holidays.
Cut‑offs matter most if you are buying close to the deadline, so here is what to expect in that situation.
What Happens If You Buy A Ticket Close To The Cut-Off?
Purchases made shortly before the deadline may take a moment to process. If your purchase is confirmed before the cut‑off, it will be included in that evening’s draw.
If the payment completes after the cut‑off, your entry is moved to the next available draw. The app shows the draw date on the purchase screen and in your ticket list, so you can see exactly which draw you are in. Around busy times, the app can be slower than usual, which is another good reason to check your purchase history.
Transactions are timestamped, which helps confirm whether they were submitted on time. If anything looks unclear or you run into a technical issue, the National Lottery’s customer support can confirm the status of your entry.
Outside draw deadlines, there are other times when availability can be affected.
Does The App Close For Scheduled Maintenance?
From time to time, the app is taken offline for planned technical work to keep services stable and up to date. During these windows, certain features may be unavailable, including buying tickets, checking results, or updating account details.
This work typically happens late at night or in the early hours. You will usually see a notice in the app explaining what is happening and when services are expected to resume.
If you want to check in advance, there are a couple of easy places to look.
How To Check Planned Maintenance And Outages
The official National Lottery website maintains a service status page with details of any planned maintenance or unexpected disruptions. It sets out the dates and times when the app or website might be affected.
You may also receive email updates if you have opted in to service notifications. The Help & Contact area of the app and website carries any current alerts for users. If you are seeing issues outside confirmed maintenance windows, customer support can check whether there is a wider problem or something specific to your account.
Can You Play Instant Win Games Overnight?
Instant Win Games are only available during set hours. In the UK, they typically run from 6am to 11pm each day. Overnight, these games are unavailable both in the app and on the website, and you will not be able to start or complete a game until the service reopens.
This daily pause for Instant Win Games applies on weekends and public holidays too. If hours ever change due to updates or maintenance, the app will display a message with the latest information.
If the app itself seems unavailable, here is how to tell what is going on.
How To Tell If The App Is Temporarily Unavailable
When the app is offline, you will usually see a notice on opening that explains whether it is due to overnight closure, maintenance, or another update. At times, you might be able to open the app but certain features will not load, or you may be unable to log in. Error banners and messages are a good indicator that the service is temporarily down.
If there is no notice and the app still will not open, it could be a local issue with your internet connection or device rather than the service itself.
If it still looks unclear, a few simple checks can help narrow it down.
Quick Troubleshooting Steps For App Issues
Start by confirming your internet connection is working, whether that is Wi‑Fi or mobile data. Closing the app fully and reopening it after a short pause often clears a temporary glitch. A quick device restart can help too.
It is also worth checking your app store for an update, as older versions sometimes misbehave after new releases. If everything looks up to date and the problem continues, the National Lottery website and social channels usually post notices about current outages or maintenance.
When none of the above helps, customer care can look into account‑specific problems and confirm whether there is a wider issue.
How To Buy Tickets If The App Is Closed
If the app is unavailable, the website offers the same core features and accepts the same account details. You can sign in there and buy entries for the main draws.
You can also buy in person at licensed retailers across the UK. Supermarkets, convenience shops, off‑licences, and newsagents typically sell tickets and will provide a printed slip as confirmation. Keep in mind that in‑store sales also stop before draw times and depend on local opening hours, so it is worth checking ahead if you are cutting it fine.
On rare occasions where both the app and website are affected, sales may only be possible in shops. Staff can let you know if sales are open at that moment. If you are concerned about your gambling, free and confidential support is available from BeGambleAware and GamCare.
Where To Find Official Cut-Off Times In The App?
Within the app, each game’s page displays the next draw date and the ticket sales closing time near the number selection or purchase area. These details update automatically to reflect the next available draw, so you always see the latest cut‑off.
The Instant Win section lists the daily opening and closing hours for those games. Many titles include an information button that sets out timings and prize details in one place.
For overall availability, the Help & Contact area carries notices about maintenance, service updates, and any temporary closures. If you need more detail, the FAQs and support links provide quick routes to official guidance. With these timings and checks to hand, it is easy to plan your entries and avoid last‑minute surprises, day or night.
**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.