Nearly 15 million National Lottery players have unspent winnings totalling millions of pounds, according to operator Camelot. The figure represents around one in four UK adults who have bought a ticket but never claimed their prize.
Unclaimed Prizes and How to Check
Camelot revealed that there are currently over £60 million in unclaimed prizes from the past year alone. The largest unclaimed prize is a £1 million Lotto jackpot from a ticket bought in London in 2019. Players are urged to check their tickets via the National Lottery app or website.
According to Camelot, the average unclaimed prize is around £100. Many players forget to check smaller prizes or lose their tickets. The company recommends signing up for a digital account to automatically receive winnings.
Impact on Good Causes
Unclaimed winnings eventually go to the National Lottery Distribution Foundation, which funds projects in health, education, environment, and sport. Since 1994, National Lottery players have raised over £45 billion for good causes. However, Camelot encourages players to claim their prizes to avoid missing out.
A Camelot spokesperson said: “We want to ensure that every player gets the chance to claim their prize. It’s easy to forget, but checking your ticket regularly could make a big difference.”
