Lots of people hear about lottery jackpots growing each week, but not everyone knows the reason behind the rising numbers. Seeing reports of a jackpot reaching £20 million or more can be a bit confusing when you’re not sure how it gets there in the first place.
If you’re curious about what happens when a lottery doesn’t have a winner, you’re not alone. The idea of a rollover pops up quite a bit, but it isn’t always explained clearly.
Every lottery has its own rules, and games available online or in shops might work differently. These are regulated so that the way rollovers and prize funds are handled is clear and fair. Read on to learn more.
What Is A Lottery Rollover?
A lottery rollover happens when no ticket matches all the winning numbers drawn in a particular game. This means there isn’t a winner for the jackpot prize in that round, so the money set aside for the jackpot moves forward to the next draw.
The jackpot then increases, making the next prize pool bigger. How much it grows depends on ticket sales and the rules for that specific lottery. For example, The National Lottery may add millions of pounds to the pot if there’s a rollover. You might notice this most in draws like Lotto or EuroMillions, as the jackpot figure can jump quite a bit after a rollover.
Different lotteries might handle rollovers their own way. The rules for how much rolls over, or how many times it can happen, can vary from one game to another. If you’re ever unsure, it helps to read the specific game rules before you get involved.
If you do decide to try your hand at lottery games, remember to do so responsibly and within your means; never wager more than you can afford to lose.
How Do Jackpot Rollovers Work In UK Lotteries?
In most UK lotteries, like the National Lottery’s Lotto or EuroMillions, a rollover takes place when none of the tickets sold match all the numbers needed to win the jackpot. When this happens, the total jackpot amount is carried forward and added to the prize for the next draw, which often makes the top prize much bigger.
There are rules in place about how many times a jackpot can roll over. For the Lotto, the jackpot can only roll over five times. If after five draws there still isn’t a winner, the prize money must be won in the next draw, where it is shared out between players who match fewer numbers. EuroMillions works differently, with rollovers continuing until the prize fund hits a cap set by the game.
Rollover Caps And Must-Be-Won Draws Explained
A rollover cap is the point where a lottery jackpot stops growing after several draws without a winner. For example, in the UK Lotto, the jackpot can roll over five times before reaching its cap. Once it is at this limit, the next draw is classed as a must-be-won event.
During a must-be-won draw, if nobody matches all the numbers for the main prize, the jackpot does not roll over again. Instead, the full amount is shared among players who have matched fewer numbers, such as five numbers or five plus the bonus ball. This makes it more likely that the top prize will be split between several players rather than going unclaimed.
EuroMillions uses a different cap system. The jackpot can build until it reaches a set euro amount. When it cannot go any higher, any additional funds flow into the next prize tier until someone wins. Some online draws or smaller games may set their own limits, so a quick look at the rules may help you understand how a rollover would be handled there.
How Do Rollovers Affect Your Ticket Odds?
If a lottery jackpot rolls over, the size of the prize goes up, but the odds of winning with a single ticket stay the same. For example, in the UK Lotto, each ticket still faces chances of about 1 in 45 million for matching all six numbers, no matter how big the jackpot becomes. The main difference is participation. Larger jackpots tend to attract more entries, which can mean the top prize is more likely to be shared if multiple tickets match the winning numbers.
More tickets sold also affects how much the jackpot grows between draws. When entries increase after a rollover, each £2 ticket sale adds to the prize pool according to that lottery’s rules. Some games have caps or different ways of topping up the fund, which is why the pace of growth can vary from one draw to another.
Details about odds, ticket costs, and prize structures must be clearly available so you can make an informed choice before entering. Always keep responsible gambling practices in mind.
**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.