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.
What are the lottery draw machines called?
The UK National Lottery draws are made by mechanical ball machines that have been given names over the years — among them Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot and Merlin. The operator keeps several machines and several sets of balls, and a machine and ball set are chosen at random before each draw. Naming the machines is partly tradition and partly a way to keep a clear record of which equipment was used.
How the machines work
The machines mix numbered balls — usually by blowing or tumbling them inside a clear drum — and release them one at a time, so viewers can see the selection happen with no human picking the numbers. Keeping more than one machine and several interchangeable ball sets, then choosing between them at random, makes the draw harder to predict or tamper with. The clear drum and live presentation are deliberate: they let the public watch fairness in action.
Keeping draws fair
Before draws, balls are weighed and checked so that each is as close to identical as possible, giving every number the same chance. The equipment is tested, the selection of machine and ball set is randomised, and an independent adjudicator oversees the process, with draws recorded and broadcast. These steps are why the result of a properly run mechanical draw is considered genuinely random rather than fixed — every ball is built and handled to behave the same way.
Frequently asked questions
What are the National Lottery machines named?
Over the years machines have carried names such as Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot and Merlin. The operator keeps several machines and rotates them.
Why do the machines have names?
Naming them is partly tradition and partly practical — it gives each machine a clear identity so records can show exactly which equipment was used for a draw.
How is the machine for each draw chosen?
A machine and a set of balls are selected at random before the draw. Keeping several of each and randomising the choice helps prevent prediction or tampering.
Are the balls really fair?
Balls are weighed and tested so each is virtually identical, giving every number an equal chance. Draws are also overseen by an independent adjudicator and recorded.
Related guides: How lottery numbers are drawn · Is the lottery rigged? · What is a random number generator?
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).