How Are Lottery Winners Paid?

It’s something we can all dream of and very, very few of us can achieve – but what happens after you’ve discovered those winning numbers?

We all know what we would do if we were lottery winners, but how many of us question how lottery winners are paid?

What lottery winners have to do

Before Camelot can reward the winning ticket holder, a number of rules have to be followed. Firstly, ticket holders need to claim their winnings within 180 days – though it’s unlikely anybody will ignore this rule!

Make the call

It might sound old-fashioned, but the first thing lottery winners have to do to claim their winnings is to call Camelot. Be prepared to answer lots of questions!

Depending on the amount you win, the person on the other end of the telephone line can vary. If you have won less than £50,000, then you do not need to make this call – they will instead advise that you take a trip to your local post office, where you can claim your winnings to be paid by cheque.

Things are very different if you’re a big winner though!

It’s likely you’ll be calling on a Saturday evening, during which the lines are open until 11pm, or if this isn’t possible, you can call up to 3pm on a Sunday. You can find the telephone number on the back of the ticket.

The operator will ask winners for a series of numbers, including the winning six. Then they will check your ticket against their records to validate it.

You will have to put your name and address on the back of the ticket to confirm that you are the ticket holder. Then the fun part happens.

Speaking to an advisor

Turning into a millionaire overnight will understandably come with its fair share of stress, which is why Camelot provide their own advisors to help guide you through the next steps.

You can arrange the time and date for an advisor to visit you in your home, though it’s advisable to do it sooner rather than later!

An advisor is available to answer questions for as long as you deem necessary. However, the first appointment will take around two hours.

During the appointment, the advisor will ask for two forms of ID, the winning ticket, and for other information to help them fill out the relevant forms.

They may also advise that you open a separate bank account, and ask you how many people you have told. Once this has all been finalised, however, the money will be credited into your account within 48 hours.

Should I tell anyone about my winnings?

Ultimately, this is your decision – of course, some people like to enjoy the spotlight, but you are under no obligation to speak to the press whatsoever.

So now you know how to claim your winnings, why not have a punt on the next big jackpot? Remember – you’ve got to be in it to win it!