Some lottery games stand out for their structure, and Set For Life is one of them. It’s a game that offers a top potential prize that can be paid monthly, instead of a one-off lump sum.
This blog explores how often Set For Life has been won in the UK. You'll also learn how the game works, how the odds compare to other draw-based games, and what happens if any prizes go unclaimed.
Whether you're curious about recent winners, the odds of matching the right numbers, or what your options might be when claiming, this blog breaks it all down in a clear and easy-to-understand way.
What Is Set For Life?
Set For Life is a UK draw-based lottery game offered by The National Lottery. Unlike traditional lotteries that pay out a single lump sum, the top prizes in Set For Life are paid monthly over time.
Draws take place every Monday and Thursday. To enter, you pick five main numbers between 1 and 47 and one “Life Ball” number between 1 and 10. Each line costs £1.50.
The main attraction of the game is its top prize of £10,000 every month for 30 years. There are also several other prize tiers available, depending on how many numbers you successfully match. These are:
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5 main numbers + Life Ball: £10,000 every month for 30 years
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5 main numbers: £10,000 every month for 1 year
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4 main numbers + Life Ball: £250
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4 main numbers: £50
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3 main numbers + Life Ball: £30
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3 main numbers: £20
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2 main numbers + Life Ball: £10
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2 main numbers: £5
The more numbers you match, the higher the prize tier you’ll fall into.
You can check results online by visiting the official National Lottery website and heading to the “Set For Life Results” section. There, you can input your numbers or view recent winning lines.
Chances of Winning Set For Life Explained
Set For Life is a random game of chance. This means that no specific outcome can ever be guaranteed, and each draw is completely independent from the next.
The odds of winning any prize in Set For Life are around 1 in 12.4, while the odds of landing the top prize of £10,000 every month for 30 years are about 1 in 15,339,390.
Here’s a look at the odds for each prize tier:
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5 main numbers + Life Ball: 1 in 15,339,390
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5 main numbers: 1 in 1,704,377
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4 main numbers + Life Ball: 1 in 73,045
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4 main numbers: 1 in 8,116
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3 main numbers + Life Ball: 1 in 1,782
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3 main numbers: 1 in 198
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2 main numbers + Life Ball: 1 in 134
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2 main numbers: 1 in 15
It’s important to remember that these odds reflect the probability of a single line matching a particular combination in one draw.
Remember, Set For Life is a game of chance, so any winnings can never be guaranteed. It’s important to play responsibly.
How Many Times Has Set For Life Been Won?
Since Set For Life launched in the UK in March 2019, it has had dozens of top prize winners. These include players who have won both the 30-year monthly payments and the 1-year monthly payouts.
As of July 2025, a number of people across the UK have matched the full winning line to receive the £10,000 every month for 30 years prize. Others have secured the second-tier prize of £10,000 a month for one year.
Some notable winners include:
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James Evans from Derbyshire, who won the top prize in December 2020
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Sandra Hall, who won £10,000 every month for 30 years in May 2025
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Joanne Jobson, who celebrated her win in February 2024
These winners are just a few examples, but they highlight how the game has delivered on its advertised prize structure to real players.
What Happens When The Top Prize Isn’t Won?
If no one matches all five main numbers and the Life Ball, then the top prize simply goes unawarded for that draw.
Unlike some lottery games that may roll over or increase the jackpot when there’s no winner, Set For Life does not roll over. Each draw stands alone, and each line entered only applies to that specific draw.
This format means there's no growing jackpot to chase, which some people may prefer.
Do Set For Life Winnings Ever Go Unclaimed?
Yes, like all National Lottery games, Set For Life prizes can go unclaimed if the winner does not come forward in time.
Players have 180 days from the date of the draw to claim any potential prize. If the deadline passes, the money is transferred to National Lottery-funded projects across the UK.
If you’ve bought a ticket and think you might have won, it can be worth checking online using the National Lottery website. You can go to the “Set For Life Results” page and enter your numbers to see if you’ve matched any prize tier.
Has Anyone Ever Won Set For Life More Than Once?
There are no confirmed reports of any individual winning the Set For Life top prize more than once.
Given the odds of winning the top tier—1 in 15.3 million—this is extremely rare. While it's possible for someone to win more than one prize over time, matching the full combination more than once would be highly unusual.
As with all lottery games, past results have no impact on future draws. Each play has the same chance of winning as the last.
Set For Life Odds vs Lotto & EuroMillions
Set For Life, the Lotto and the EuroMillions are all random draw-based games, but they differ in both structure and prize format.
In the Lotto, you pick six numbers from 1 to 59. The odds of winning the jackpot are roughly 1 in 45,057,474.
In the EuroMillions, you pick five numbers from 1 to 50, plus two “Lucky Stars” from 1 to 12. The odds of winning the EuroMillions jackpot are around 1 in 139,838,160.
Compared to those games, Set For Life offers slightly better odds of potentially winning the top prize, at 1 in 15,339,390.
Each game has a different appeal, and the “best” option really depends on your own preferences.
Some players might prefer the chance for regular monthly income, while others may be more interested in the possibility of a lump-sum jackpot. It’s important to understand how each game works, so be sure to read the terms and conditions before taking part.
If you choose to take part in any form of gambling, including draw-based games like Set For Life, it’s important to play responsibly.
Set yourself a clear limit and only spend what you can afford to lose. Gambling should be seen as a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. For advice and support, you can visit GambleAware.org or contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
*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.