£57.6M in Lottery Prizes Unclaimed in 10 Months
UKGC data reveals a single month saw over £31 million in winnings go unclaimed as the third National Lottery licence period concluded.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed that over £57.6 million in National Lottery prizes went unclaimed between April 2023 and January 2024. The data, released by the Gambling Commission, shows a dramatic spike in September 2023, when nearly £32 million was not claimed by winners.
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A Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosure from the Gambling Commission (UKGC) has revealed that over £57.6 million in National Lottery prizes went unclaimed in the final ten months of the third licence period.
The data, which covers lottery draw games from April 2023 to January 2024, provides a detailed monthly breakdown of winnings that were never collected by players. This period immediately preceded the transfer of the National Lottery licence from Camelot to the new operator, Allwyn, in February 2024.
For consumers, the figures are a stark reminder of the importance of checking tickets promptly. Under National Lottery rules, players have 180 days from the date of the draw to claim their prize. If a prize goes unclaimed after this period, the money, including any interest earned, is allocated to the National Lottery Good Causes fund.
A £31.8 Million Anomaly
The total unclaimed prize fund across the ten months amounted to £57,631,538.81. While most months saw between £2 million and £4 million go unclaimed, one month stands out dramatically.
In September 2023, a staggering £31,816,012.31 in prize money was not claimed. This figure is more than ten times the typical monthly average and accounts for over 55% of the total unclaimed amount during the entire period.
The monthly breakdown is as follows:
- April 2023: £2,240,229.50
- May 2023: £2,108,399.20
- June 2023: £3,448,425.70
- July 2023: £2,625,912.70
- August 2023: £2,797,698.60
- September 2023: £31,816,012.31
- October 2023: £4,306,197.10
- November 2023: £2,497,537.00
- December 2023: £2,749,265.60
- January 2024: £3,041,861.10
The FOI response does not specify the reason for the September spike, though it is likely attributable to one or more high-value jackpot prizes not being claimed before the 180-day deadline expired during that month.
Partial Disclosure and What It Means
The original FOI request also asked for the total number of unclaimed prizes, including those for scratch cards. The UKGC declined to provide this information, citing a Section 21 exemption. This means the information is considered reasonably accessible to the public elsewhere.
The regulator directed the requester to the annual accounts published by the former operator, Camelot, on its website and at Companies House. This highlights that while the UKGC holds some operational data, detailed financial reporting often resides with the operator itself.
The data provides a clear message for all lottery players: check your tickets carefully and keep them safe. Using the National Lottery app or registering tickets online can provide automatic notifications for winning numbers, reducing the risk of a life-changing prize going to Good Causes instead of your bank account.