If you've ever bought a ticket for the UK National Lottery at your local shop, you may have wondered what happens when that ticket turns out to be a winner. Do shopkeepers benefit in any way? Do they get recognised for selling a high-value ticket?
This blog explains what takes place when a winning ticket is sold by a UK retailer. It covers how commission works, whether the location matters, and how the National Lottery traces wins back to specific shops. Whether you're new to lottery games or simply curious, this guide helps explain how it all fits together in simple, clear terms.
Commission Explained: What Stores Get
When a UK shop sells a National Lottery product, it receives a small commission for every ticket or scratchcard it sells. This includes all draw-based games like the Lotto and EuroMillions, as well as instant-win scratchcards.
Retailers receive around 4% commission on draw-based tickets, and about 6% on scratchcards. For example, if someone buys a £2 Lotto ticket in-store, the retailer earns about 8 pence. This is paid directly to the retailer at the point of sale. The size of the potential prize on the ticket doesn’t affect how much the shop earns. Commission is paid simply for the sale itself.
Selling lottery products can also bring more customers into the store, as people may buy other items at the same time. However, retailers do not have any involvement in the draw and do not influence outcomes. The lottery is a random game of chance, which means the results are unpredictable and not affected by who sells the ticket.
Does It Matter Where or How You Buy?
In the UK, you can play National Lottery games in shops or online through the official National Lottery website. Whether you buy a physical ticket, or enter through your account online, each ticket has the same chance of winning. The draw is random and doesn’t take into account how or where the ticket was purchased.
A physical ticket gives you a printed copy with a barcode, while an online ticket is stored securely in your National Lottery account. Online players are typically notified automatically of any possible prizes, whereas players with paper tickets need to check results themselves.
Retailers only benefit when tickets are purchased in-store. Buying online does not involve any retail commission. If you're deciding how to play, it’s usually about what suits you better—some prefer the convenience of online play, while others may like to have a physical ticket in hand.
Behind the Scenes: Identifying Winning Ticket Sellers
When a winning ticket is claimed—especially one with a large prize—there's a system in place to trace where it was sold. Each ticket has a unique barcode and transaction number, which links it to the specific retail terminal used during the sale.
If the prize is small, you can usually claim it directly at the shop. For any larger potential wins, the player must contact the National Lottery to begin the claims process. This is managed by Allwyn, the current operator of the UK National Lottery.
During this process, the lottery provider checks the ticket's unique identifiers. This helps confirm that the prize is genuine and also identifies the retailer who sold the ticket. Shops are not informed right away when they’ve sold a winning ticket. They usually find out later, often once the winner has been paid and, if publicised, once Allwyn has permission to release the information.
This process helps maintain transparency and confidence in how wins are handled, both for retailers and for players.
Can Any Store Qualify for the Bonus?
Only approved National Lottery retailers can qualify for a bonus when they sell a high-value winning ticket. To become a retailer, shops must apply through Allwyn and meet specific requirements. These include having secure equipment, following responsible gambling practices, and being able to process ticket sales and any small payouts.
When a ticket worth £50,000 or more is sold, the retailer may receive a “Share the Win” bonus. This scheme was introduced by Allwyn in 2024. The amount depends on the size of the prize:
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£50,000 to £250,000 → the retailer may receive £2,000
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£250,001 to £1 million → £5,000
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Over £1 million → £10,000
These bonuses are not paid for smaller prizes. They are designed to reward retailers for being part of a major win and to support those who meet the standards set by the National Lottery.
Participating shops can usually be identified by the blue National Lottery sign near the till or in the shop window. Only licensed retailers are allowed to sell National Lottery products, and all follow a code of conduct to help make gambling safer.
Lottery games are designed to be a form of entertainment. Because outcomes are random, there is no reliable way to predict or improve your chances. It’s important to treat it as a game of chance, not a way to make money.
If you choose to play, set a limit before you start and stick to it. Don’t chase losses or play more than you can afford to lose.
*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.