Have you come across an old lottery ticket or a scratch card that you’d forgotten about? If so, you might be wondering whether you can still claim a prize. In the UK, there are specific timeframes for claiming winnings that some players don’t know about.
Expiry dates are not always printed on tickets or cards, so knowing where to look and what to check could help you understand your options.
This guide outlines the key information you need to know about lottery ticket and scratch card expiry periods in the UK.
How Long You Have to Claim Lottery Winnings
For draw-based National Lottery games such as Lotto, EuroMillions, Thunderball and Set For Life, you have 180 days from the date of the draw to claim a prize. The draw date is printed on your ticket or shown in your online account.
If you purchased a ticket online or through the app and you win, your account will usually be credited automatically for smaller prizes. For larger prizes, you will be contacted, but you must still claim within the 180-day period. If you notify Allwyn of your intention to claim before the deadline, they may allow a further seven days to complete the claim, provided the initial contact was made within the 180 days.
Winnings under £100.01 may usually be claimed in-store, depending on the retailer’s payout limits. Prizes between £100.01 and £500 may also be claimed in-store at certain outlets. Higher amounts need to be claimed directly through the National Lottery by post or at a regional centre.
If the claim period passes, the prize and any interest it may have earned will go to National Lottery-funded projects. It might be worth setting a reminder when you buy a ticket to avoid missing the deadline.
What to Do With an Out-of-Date Winning Lottery Ticket
Once 180 days have passed from the draw date, a National Lottery ticket is no longer valid for a claim. Retailers are not authorised to accept expired tickets, and late submissions are not processed.
If a ticket is lost, it may be possible to make a claim by writing to Allwyn within 30 days of the draw. The letter must include the circumstances of the loss and proof of purchase. Claims of this kind are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
If you plan to continue playing in future, it may help to keep tickets stored in one place and check them regularly.
Scratch Card Expiry Dates Explained
Scratch cards, like lottery tickets, also have a limited time for claiming any prizes. In the UK, the National Lottery usually provides a validity period for scratch cards from the date they are launched. Typically, you have 180 days to claim your prize, similar to the 180 days for lottery tickets.
How To Find The Expiry Date on a Scratch Card
Scratch cards issued by the UK National Lottery have a 180-day claim period, which begins from the official game closure date, not the date of purchase. This date is not usually printed on the card itself.
To find out if a scratch card is still eligible for a claim, you can check the National Lottery website’s game closures section. You’ll need the game name and number, which are printed on the back of the card. A retailer can also scan the card and advise whether it is still valid.
Scratch cards provided by other organisations or charities may have different terms. You can usually find their claim information on the back of the card or by visiting the issuing organisation’s website.
Can You Cash In an Expired Scratch Card?
If a scratch card has passed its claim period, it is no longer eligible for a prize. Claims made after the published deadline are not processed, and retailers cannot pay out expired cards.
Each scratch card game has its own closure date, and the 180-day claim window starts from that date. After this time, the card holds no value for prize claims.
If the scratch card comes from a different provider, check the terms listed by the issuing organisation. These will outline how long you have to claim and whether any late claims are considered.
Keeping your scratch cards stored in a safe and accessible place may help you stay within the claim period.
**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.
*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.