Scratchcards and lottery tickets from the UK’s National Lottery are more than just a quick way to play a game of chance. They come with rules that may catch you out if you're not paying attention—especially when it comes to time limits.
This blog looks at how long you have to claim a potential prize, where to find expiry details, and what can happen if a ticket goes unclaimed. It also covers what you can do if your ticket is damaged or lost, and how to stay on top of your play. Whether you've bought a draw-based lottery ticket or a scratchcard, knowing the deadlines might help save you from missing out.
Let’s take a closer look at what the rules are, and why they matter.
Do Scratch Cards & Lottery Tickets Expire?
Yes, all National Lottery scratchcards and lottery tickets have an expiry date. This is the deadline for claiming any possible prize you may have won.
For both scratchcards and draw-based games (like the Lotto or EuroMillions), you have 180 days from the date of the draw, or the closure of the scratchcard game, to claim any winnings. That’s just under six months.
If a scratchcard game is ended before all of its top prizes are claimed, you still only have 180 days to claim any winnings. This countdown begins from the official date the game was closed.
If you miss that deadline, your ticket will no longer be valid, even if it’s a winning one.
Typical Time Limits for Claiming Prizes
Here are the standard time frames for National Lottery prizes:
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Scratchcards: 180 days from the game’s closure date.
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Draw-based games (e.g. the Lotto, Thunderball, EuroMillions): 180 days from the draw date.
If you're unsure if your scratchcard game has ended, you can check the National Lottery website. They publish official end dates for each game.
Keep in mind: the countdown to expiry doesn’t change based on when you bought your ticket—it’s tied to the game or draw itself.
Where to Find Expiry Details on Your Tickets
On draw-based tickets, you’ll find the draw date clearly printed on the front. From there, you can count 180 days forward.
Scratchcards are a bit different. They don’t display a fixed expiry date, because the clock starts ticking after the game has been officially closed.
To find out if a scratchcard game has ended, or to check the closure date, visit the National Lottery’s official website or call their customer care team. The details aren’t printed on the card itself, so it may be worth checking if you’ve been holding onto an old one.
What Happens to Unclaimed Prizes?
When prizes are not claimed within the 180-day window, they don’t go back to the player. Instead, these unclaimed winnings are passed to National Lottery Good Causes.
This fund supports a range of projects across the UK, including local charities, arts, sport, and heritage initiatives.
Even though it helps the community, missing out on a potential prize can be frustrating. That’s why it’s important to check your tickets regularly and know the deadlines.
Lost or Ripped Scratch Cards: Your Options
Losing a ticket or damaging a scratchcard doesn’t mean the end of the road—but it can make things more complicated.
If you’ve lost a scratchcard or ticket, or it’s damaged beyond recognition, you’ll need to contact the National Lottery as soon as possible. You’ll typically be asked to provide:
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Details of where and when you bought the ticket
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The date and time
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Information about the game or draw
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Any remaining parts of the ticket, if available
They may still be able to investigate and confirm your claim, depending on the situation. But this must be done within the 180-day claim period. After that, no exceptions can be made.
How to Make Sure Your Tickets Don’t Expire
Here are a few simple ways to avoid missing out:
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Check tickets soon after purchase: Don’t let them sit at the bottom of a bag or wallet.
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Play online for added security: When you play draw-based games online, you’ll get automatic notifications if you win. Any prizes up to £500 can go straight into your National Lottery account.
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Set reminders: Note down the draw date or scratchcard check date so you don’t forget.
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Keep physical tickets in one place: A specific drawer or box can help avoid misplacing them.
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Register any large wins quickly: For any potential prizes above £50,000, you’ll need to claim in person within the claim window. Call the National Lottery to begin the process.
Whether your potential prize is big or small, it’s better to check early than miss the chance completely.
Lotteries and scratchcards are games of chance. That means the outcome is random, and no win is guaranteed.
There’s no strategy that can increase your chances of winning, as each play is independent and unpredictable. It’s important to only spend what you’re comfortable with, and to treat these games as entertainment—not as a way to make money.
If you feel that gambling is becoming difficult to manage, help is available. Organisations like GamCare and GambleAware offer free, confidential support and tools to help you play responsibly.
*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.