Editorial note: this guide is general information about how bingo, competitions, lotteries and gambling work in the UK. It is not advice, and it does not describe any specific promotion offered by Fortune Games. Rules, prices and regulations can change, so always check the operator’s current terms.
Can a tourist play the UK lottery?
Yes — a visitor to the UK can buy a National Lottery ticket. Nationality does not matter: anyone aged 18 or over can buy a paper ticket or scratchcard in a shop and claim any prize they win. The catch is online play. To open a National Lottery account and play online or in the app, you normally need to be resident in the UK or the Isle of Man, so a short-stay tourist usually cannot register.
Buying in person versus online
In a shop, a ticket is a bearer document — whoever holds the valid winning ticket can claim, regardless of where they live or come from. So a tourist who buys a Lotto line or scratchcard at a counter is playing perfectly legitimately and can win. Online is different: account-based play requires you to register, prove your age and identity, and be UK or Isle of Man resident, with payment by debit card. That residence rule is why a visitor generally cannot play through the website or app.
Claiming a prize as a visitor
If a tourist wins, smaller prizes can be collected from retailers or by post, while larger ones are paid by the operator after identity and ticket checks, usually by bank transfer. You do not have to be a UK citizen or resident to be paid, but you will need to satisfy those checks and have a way to receive the money. UK lottery winnings are tax-free here; how a prize is treated once you take it home depends on your own country’s tax rules, so it is worth checking locally.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreign visitor buy a UK lottery ticket?
Yes. Anyone aged 18 or over can buy a paper ticket or scratchcard in a shop, regardless of nationality, and claim any prize the ticket wins.
Can a tourist play the lottery online?
Usually not. Opening a National Lottery account to play online or in the app normally requires UK or Isle of Man residence, so a short-stay visitor cannot register.
Can a non-resident claim a UK lottery prize?
Yes. A valid winning ticket can be claimed regardless of where you live, subject to identity and ticket checks and a way to receive the money.
Will a visitor pay UK tax on a win?
No UK tax applies to the winnings themselves. How a prize is taxed once you take it back to your own country depends on local rules, so check there.
Related guides: Playing the lottery from abroad · What age can you play the lottery? · Can you play the lottery online?
18+ only. Gambling should be fun, never a way to make money. Please play responsibly and only with money you can afford to lose. If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, free, confidential support is available 24/7 from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, run by GamCare. You can also visit BeGambleAware (begambleaware.org) or self-exclude from UK-licensed online operators through GAMSTOP (gamstop.co.uk).