Can You Play the Lottery Online?
This is an independent, informational guide for UK readers and is not affiliated with the organisations mentioned. It is provided for general information only.
Yes, you can play the UK National Lottery online through the official National Lottery website and app, as well as in shops. You need to be 18 or over, registered with an account, and based in the UK, and you can buy entries for draw games and instant games.
How online play works
Yes, you can play the UK National Lottery online through the official National Lottery website and app, as well as in shops. You set up an account, choose your numbers or use a Quick Pick, and buy entries for draw games and instant games.
Wins can be credited straight to your online account, with larger prizes arranged separately.
Age and payment rules
You must be 18 or over and based in the UK to play. You also cannot pay with a credit card: gambling on credit cards, including lottery play, was banned in 2020, so a debit card or other non-credit method is needed.
Accounts include tools such as deposit and play limits to help you stay in control.
Staying safe online
Only play through the official National Lottery site or app, or other properly licensed operators. Be wary of emails or sites claiming you have won a lottery you never entered — a common scam.
If a site is licensed only outside the UK, treat it with caution.
Other lotteries and competitions online
Besides the National Lottery, you can play licensed society lotteries (such as charity lotteries) and enter prize competitions online. These are different products with their own rules.
Whatever you play, check that the operator is properly licensed or, for competitions, that the terms are clear.
The convenience of online play is that your numbers, tickets and any wins are all tied to your account, so there is no ticket to lose and small prizes can be credited automatically. The trade-off is the same as any online account: keep your login secure and set deposit or play limits if they help you stay in control.
Do you have to be 18 to play the lottery online?
Yes. The minimum age for all National Lottery games, online and in shops, is 18.
Can you buy lottery tickets online with a credit card?
No. Gambling on credit cards, including the lottery, was banned in 2020; use a debit card instead.
Is playing the lottery online safe?
Yes, through the official site or app. Avoid unofficial sites and any "you've won" messages for draws you never entered.
Can you play other lotteries online too?
Yes — licensed society lotteries and prize competitions are also available online, each with their own rules.
Related guides: What age can you play?, Paying by credit card, How the lottery works
18+ only. Gambling should be fun, not a way to make money. If you are worried about your gambling, or affected by someone else's, free and confidential help is available from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, from BeGambleAware.org, and through the self-exclusion scheme GAMSTOP. You must be 18 or over to gamble.