When National Lottery held its 3,110th Lotto draw on Saturday, October 11, 2025, the £3.8 million jackpot went unclaimed.
What Happened in the Lotto Draw
The draw, officially titled National Lottery Lotto Draw 3,110Milton Keynes, used Ball Set 5 and the Lotto 2 machine. In front of John Smith, an independent adjudicator, six main numbers were drawn: 11, 17, 25, 31, 51, 54, with a Bonus Ball of 53.
Because no ticket matched all six main numbers, the jackpot rolled over to the next draw. The same night also featured the Thunderball drawMilton Keynes. Its winning numbers were 4, 16, 18, 26, 39 and a Thunderball of 8, offering a £500,000 top prize.
Breakdown of Prizes and Winners
Even though the jackpot stayed untouched, the draw still handed out more than a million smaller prizes. Here’s how the money was spread:
- Match 5 (no Bonus Ball): 52 players each received £1,750, totalling £91,000.
- Match 4: 3,745 tickets won £140 each, distributing £524,300.
- Match 3: 95,663 winners collected £30 each, accounting for £2,869,890.
- Match 2: 940,606 tickets earned a Free Lucky Dip for the next draw.
All together, 1,040,066 tickets walked away with something, and the prize fund for the lower tiers summed to £3,485,190. Winners have until April 9, 2026, to claim their winnings, according to the official claim deadline.
Technical Glitch and Assurance of Integrity
The live broadcast ran into a hiccup when graphics and the voice‑over failed to show the drawn balls for a few seconds. Viewers reported a blank screen and a momentary loss of the usual commentary.
Despite the visual snafu, National Lottery reassured the public that the independent adjudicator, John Smith, was present for the entire process and that the results remain fully valid. A spokesperson said the glitch was isolated to the broadcast feed and did not affect the actual draw machinery.
Responsible Gaming and Good Causes
Playing the Lotto or Thunderball requires participants to be 18 or older and physically located in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man. The National Lottery promotes responsible gambling through its ‘Dream Big Play Small’ campaign, which offers tools for setting limits, taking time‑outs, or receiving reminders.
Proceeds from the draw continue to support Good Causes across the UK. This particular draw period highlighted the Red Roses initiative, a programme aimed at boosting women’s sport as part of the Summer of Sport 2025 campaign.
What’s Next for the Jackpot
With the £3.8 million prize now rolling over, the next Saturday’s draw (draw 3,111) will feature an even larger jackpot, assuming no winner emerges again. Analysts at the Gambling Commission predict a modest increase of £200,000, pushing the prize into the £4 million range.
Ticket sales typically spike after a rollover, so expect more players lining up at retail outlets and online portals. The National Lottery website and mobile app will open ticket sales for the next draw at 9:00 am on the scheduled day.
Background: The National Lottery’s Role in the UK
Established in 1994, National Lottery has become a cultural fixture, funding projects ranging from community sports to heritage conservation. Over three decades, it has contributed more than £40 billion to Good Causes.
The Lotto, introduced in 1994, remains the flagship game, with draws traditionally held twice a week. The use of an independent adjudicator and strict procedural rules are designed to keep the process transparent and trustworthy, a cornerstone of public confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the rollover affect future jackpot sizes?
When a draw ends without a jackpot winner, the prize fund carries over and is added to the next draw’s base amount. Operators typically boost the jackpot by a set increment – in this case, roughly £200,000 – so the next jackpot could exceed £4 million.
Who can claim a prize from this draw?
Anyone aged 18 or older who purchased a ticket in the United Kingdom or Isle of Man can claim. Winners have until 9 April 2026 to collect, either at an authorized retailer, through the online portal, or by post, depending on the prize tier.
What caused the broadcast glitch during the draw?
The technical issue was limited to the TV graphics feed, where a server error prevented the ball‑by‑ball animation from appearing. The draw hardware and the independent adjudicator’s oversight were unaffected, so the official results stand.
How does the National Lottery ensure draw integrity?
Every draw is conducted in a secure studio in Milton Keynes with an independent adjudicator present. The machines are regularly tested, and the entire process is recorded. Any breach would trigger an immediate investigation by the Gambling Commission.
What are the odds of winning each prize tier?
For this draw, the odds were about 1 in 2.2 million for the jackpot, 1 in 144,000 for Match 5, 1 in 2,180 for Match 4, 1 in 50 for Match 3, and 1 in 10 for Match 2. The odds remain unchanged for future draws unless the game format is altered.