How the SAFE Lottery works
Everything you need to know about joining, paying, the weekly draw and how prizes are paid.
Joining
You can join online using our sign-up form or by emailing [email protected] for a paper form. To play you must:
- be aged 18 or over
- live in England, Scotland or Wales (the lottery is not available in Northern Ireland or outside Great Britain)
- pay with your own UK bank account or debit card
- agree to the Lottery rules
We check the details you give us to confirm your age, identity and address. If we cannot confirm them, we may ask you for documents before your entries begin.
Your lottery numbers
Every entry is given a unique six-digit lottery number. If you have more than one entry, you have more than one number, and each has an equal chance in every draw. Your numbers are sent to you by email in your welcome confirmation and stay the same for as long as you keep playing.
Paying for entries
| Entries per draw | Weekly cost | Monthly Direct Debit | Annual debit card |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £1 | £4.33 | £52 |
| 2 | £2 | £8.67 | £104 |
| 3 | £3 | £13.00 | £156 |
| 4 | £4 | £17.33 | £208 |
| 5 (maximum) | £5 | £21.67 | £260 |
Monthly Direct Debits are collected on or around the 1st of each month and cover 52 draws a year (52 × £1 ÷ 12 per entry). Your Direct Debit is protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee. Annual payments are taken once by debit card. We do not accept credit cards, in line with the UK ban on gambling with credit cards.
Your first entry is in the first Friday draw after your first payment has been received and your age has been confirmed.
The weekly draw
The draw takes place every Friday at 8pm UK time, including bank holidays. Three winning entries are selected at random by computer from all entries paid for that draw. Each entry can win only one prize per draw. The draw is witnessed by two people who are not playing and is recorded, and the records are kept for at least three years.
| Prize | Amount | Number per draw |
|---|---|---|
| 1st prize | £100 | 1 |
| 2nd prize | £25 | 1 |
| 3rd prize | £10 | 1 |
If you win
You do not need to claim. We email winners on the Saturday after the draw and publish the results on Our winners by noon. Prizes are paid by bank transfer within 14 days, once we have confirmed the winner's age and identity. We only publish a winner's first name and town if they give us permission.
Changing or cancelling
You can reduce your entries, take a break or stop playing at any time by emailing [email protected]. You can also cancel your Direct Debit with your bank. Any payment already made for future draws is refunded if you cancel. Requests to increase your entries take effect after a 7-day cooling-off period.
Playing safely
The SAFE Lottery is for over 18s only. Set a limit you are comfortable with and stick to it. If gambling is causing you or someone you know a problem, call the National Gambling Helpline free on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day. See our full responsible gambling guide.