Overview
When no ticket matches all 6 main numbers in a UK Lotto draw, the jackpot is not won. That jackpot amount is then added to the next draw's jackpot. That is a rollover.
Rollovers can happen several times in a row, so the jackpot can grow from around £2M to tens of millions of pounds.
Your odds per line are the same every draw. A larger jackpot does not make winning more likely.
Important
The jackpot cannot grow forever. It is capped by the Must Be Won rule. When the cap is reached, the jackpot is guaranteed to be won on the next draw.
How the jackpot builds
Each rollover adds money to the next draw. The exact amount depends on ticket sales and the game's rules. More rollovers mean a bigger jackpot—and more media attention, which often increases sales.
Must Be Won — the cap
When the jackpot reaches a set limit (defined by Camelot), the next draw is a Must Be Won draw. On that draw, the jackpot must be won. Either:
- Someone matches all 6 numbers and wins the full jackpot, or
- No one matches 6, and the jackpot is shared among winners in lower tiers (e.g. Match 5+Bonus, Match 5)
So the prize pool is always paid out on a Must Be Won draw.
Viewing rollovers on Fetix
On UK Lotto draws you can see:
- Jackpot amount for each draw
- Whether it was a rollover (compare consecutive draws)
- Number of Match 6 winners (0 = rollover)
Go further on Fetix
- UK Lotto draws — rollover and jackpot history
- Stats — analyse past draws
- Verify ticket — check your numbers
- My numbers — track your picks
FAQ
How many times can the jackpot roll over?
There is no fixed limit. It rolls over until someone wins or it hits the Must Be Won cap.
What happens to the money if no one wins on Must Be Won?
It is shared among lower-tier winners (Match 5+Bonus, Match 5, etc.) according to the rules. The jackpot is always paid out on that draw.
Can I see which draws were rollovers?
Yes. On UK Lotto draws, compare the jackpot from one draw to the next. If it increased and there were 0 Match 6 winners, it was a rollover.
Does a rollover improve my odds?
No. Your odds per line are the same every draw. A larger jackpot does not make winning more likely—only the potential payout changes.
What is the current jackpot cap?
Set by Camelot and subject to change. See national-lottery.co.uk for current rules.
Disclaimer
UK Lotto is a game of chance. Rollover and Must Be Won rules are set by the operator. Fetix does not guarantee any winnings.