If you have ever wondered how the People’s Postcode Lottery works, you are not alone. It is a distinctive format that draws winners by full postcodes, not individual numbers, which naturally sparks a few questions.
Two come up time and again: how many postcodes are actually in the draw, and who is allowed to play. The answers are straightforward once you understand how entries are counted and how eligibility is set.
This guide explains the essentials so you can see whether your postcode could be included and whether you meet the criteria to take part in Great Britain.
How Many Postcodes Are Included In The Postcode Lottery?
The People’s Postcode Lottery links entries to full postcodes, such as PE27 3HH. There are more than 1.7 million postcodes in use across the UK, but not every one is in play at the same time.
Only postcodes with at least one paid entry for the period are included in a draw. If no one has joined from a particular postcode that month, it will not be selected. Prizes are always awarded at the level of the full postcode, not the wider district or sector.
The total number of postcodes that could win changes month by month, reflecting how many people have signed up and kept their tickets active. That is the core principle behind how postcodes make it into the draw.
With that in mind, it helps to look at what those entries can lead to when prizes are on the table.
Prizes And Odds For Each Postcode
Several draws run each month, including weekly and monthly events, as well as occasional specials. The prize types vary by draw. Some pay a set cash amount per ticket in a winning postcode, while others allocate a larger pot to the postcode that is then shared between all active tickets there. There can also be non-cash rewards in certain promotions.
Because winners are chosen by full postcode, everyone with an active ticket in that postcode receives a prize for the relevant draw. For example, a single-ticket postcode would take the full amount if the prize is designated for that one postcode. If three tickets are active in the postcode and the draw sets a total of £30,000 for that area, each ticket would typically receive £10,000.
Odds are not fixed. They change with the number of paid entries in that period, as this affects how many postcodes are in the pot. The People’s Postcode Lottery publishes current prize funds and odds on its website, so you can check the latest figures before you decide whether to take part.
Once you know what is on offer, the next question is whether you are eligible to join.
Who Can Play The Postcode Lottery?
Players must be at least 18 years old and have a valid residential address in England, Scotland or Wales. Entries are linked to your main home postcode, and only individuals can take part.
If you choose to register, you provide your name, date of birth, address and payment details so your entry can be verified and linked to your postcode. Using someone else’s address or a business address is not permitted.
People directly involved with the operator, or closely related to those who are, may be restricted from playing. The most up-to-date terms and conditions set out any specific exclusions.
If you meet the basics, the next step is checking whether your postcode can be included.
How Do I Check If My Postcode Is Eligible?
Any postcode in England, Scotland or Wales can be eligible once someone at that address has an active entry. There are no default postcodes in the draw. Your postcode becomes eligible for future draws from the moment your ticket is set up and remains so while your subscription stays active.
To confirm, visit the official People’s Postcode Lottery website and enter your postcode on the sign-up pages. If entry is offered for your address, your postcode can take part. If nobody from your postcode has entered for a given period, it will not appear in a draw for that period.
Ready to take part and want to know how the sign-up works in practice?
How To Enter The Postcode Lottery
Entry is set up online through a short application that links your ticket to your full postcode. You provide a few details so your account can be verified, choose how many tickets you would like for your postcode, and set up a monthly subscription, usually by Direct Debit. There are no paper tickets; confirmations and updates are sent digitally.
Your entry remains active for future draws as long as your payments are up to date. You can change the number of tickets, update details or pause your subscription through your account or by contacting customer service. Entry is open only to residents of England, Scotland and Wales who are 18 or over.
With your registration in place, it helps to understand what happens when draws are made.
How Are Winners Selected And Notified?
Draws use a computer system to select winning postcodes from all active entries for that period. The process is supervised and follows rules set by the UK Gambling Commission so that each qualifying entry is treated fairly.
After the draw, the winning postcodes are matched to active tickets and prizes are allocated according to the type of draw. Sometimes, a single postcode is selected for a particular prize, while other draws involve several postcodes across different prize categories.
Winners are contacted directly, most often by email. Larger awards or special events may involve a phone call or letter. Cash prizes are paid automatically to the bank account linked to the winning ticket, so most people do not need to claim. You can also check recent results on the official website.
If your postcode is selected, the next consideration is how the prize is shared among the people in your area who have tickets.
How Prizes Are Shared Between Residents In A Winning Postcode
When a postcode wins, every paid ticket linked to that full postcode receives a share. The split depends on how the draw is structured and how many tickets are active in that postcode.
If only one ticket is registered, the full amount for that draw goes to that ticket holder. If multiple tickets are registered at the same postcode, the prize is divided by the number of tickets. A resident with more than one ticket receives a larger share because each ticket counts in the split.
Some draws layer on extra bonuses or additional rewards for selected postcodes, but the basic approach holds: the total for that draw is shared in line with the number of active tickets in the winning postcode. Winners are told exactly how their award has been calculated when they are notified.
So, what happens after you win, and is any paperwork needed?
What Proof Is Required To Claim A Prize?
Most prizes are paid straight to the bank account you registered, so there is usually nothing further to do. For higher-value cash awards or certain non-cash prizes, you may be asked to provide identification to confirm you are the account holder linked to the winning postcode.
Acceptable documents typically include a valid photo ID, such as a UK passport or driving licence, and proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or official letter showing your name and postcode. You will be given clear instructions on what is needed and how to provide it securely. Personal data is handled in line with UK data protection laws.
If you are concerned about gambling, free support is available at GambleAware.org or by calling 0808 8020 133.
With the essentials covered, from postcode inclusion and eligibility through to prize allocation and payment, you have what you need to decide whether the People’s Postcode Lottery is right for you.
**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.