Overview
On 10 October 2015, UK Lotto changed from 6 numbers from 1–49 to 6 numbers from 1–59. The bonus ball pool changed accordingly. Jackpot odds went from 1 in 14 million to 1 in 45 million. Number frequency, overdue tables, and other stats were reset in effect—numbers 50–59 are new.
When comparing "all-time" stats, the 2015 change breaks continuity. Filter by format for clean analysis.
Important
Numbers 50–59 have only ~10 years of data (2015–2026). Numbers 1–49 have ~30 years. All-time rankings can be skewed.
Format comparison
| Aspect | Pre-Oct 2015 | Post-Oct 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Main numbers | 1–49 | 1–59 |
| Bonus ball | 1–49 (same pool, no repeat) | 1–59 (same pool, no repeat) |
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 13,983,816 | 1 in 45,057,474 |
| Numbers added | — | 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 |
Impact on frequency
- Numbers 1–49: Have data from 1994 to 2026. Full 30-year history.
- Numbers 50–59: Only from 2015. ~10 years of data. Appear less often in "all-time" tables simply because they did not exist before.
When Fetix shows "full history", numbers 50–59 are under-represented in rankings. Use "post-2015 only" or "5 years" to compare fairly within the current format.
Impact on odds
Jackpot odds tripled (1 in 14M → 1 in 45M). Lower tiers also changed. Match 2 (free Lucky Dip) went from 1 in 10 to 1 in 10.3. Match 3, 4, 5, 5+Bonus all became harder. See UK Lotto prize tiers for current odds.
Why the change?
The National Lottery stated the goal was larger jackpots and more rollovers. With harder odds, jackpots grow faster when not won. The trade-off: lower win probability per line.
How to use Fetix stats across the change
- Full history: Includes both formats. Numbers 50–59 have less history.
- 5 years / 1 year: Mostly or entirely post-2015. Consistent format.
- Compare: Use the same period when comparing numbers. Avoid mixing pre- and post-2015 for strict fairness.
Go further on Fetix
- UK Lotto number frequency — how format affects frequency
- UK Lotto prize tiers — current odds
- Stats — filter by period
- UK Lotto draws — verify format by draw date
- Thunderball format history — similar analysis
FAQ
When exactly did UK Lotto change format?
10 October 2015. The first 6/59 draw was that night.
Do numbers 50–59 appear less often?
They have less historical data because they did not exist before 2015. Per draw, each number 1–59 has equal probability.
Can I compare pre- and post-2015 stats?
Yes, but specify the format. Frequency tables, sum distributions, odd/even—all shift with the new pool.
Did the bonus ball rules change?
The bonus ball is still drawn from the same pool as the main numbers, after the 6 are drawn. The pool expanded from 1–49 to 1–59.
Where does this data come from?
From UK Lotto draws stored in Fetix. Pre-2015 and post-2015 data are both available.
Disclaimer
UK Lotto is a game of chance. Fetix does not guarantee any winnings. Format change analysis is for understanding data, not prediction.