
Set For Life is popular in the UK, as it offers people the chance to potentially win large prizes over long periods, but how many winners have there been?
You may have seen stories about players winning jackpots; however, there are many prize tiers, which means that not all winners have been publicly announced.
In this blog post, we’ll explain how many winners there have been of Set For Life, how the winners are counted and the chances of winning a prize.
Since Set For Life launched in the UK in March 2019, there have been hundreds of winners across the top two prize tiers. The headline prize is £10,000 every month for 30 years, and the second prize pays £10,000 every month for one year.
As of early 2024, sources claim that more than 90 people have claimed the top Set For Life prize. On top of that, several hundred players have secured the second-tier prize. Draws take place every Monday and Thursday, and winners come from all parts of the UK.
The National Lottery shares updates on recent wins and publishes total prize amounts on its official site. Not everyone chooses to go public, so you will often see fewer names in the news than the total number of winners recorded.
Set For Life winners are recorded using the results of each official draw. Anyone who matches all five main numbers plus the Life Ball is classed as a top-tier winner.
Only prizes that are claimed within the published claim period are included in the official totals; therefore, if a winning ticket is never claimed, it does not appear in the public count. Second-tier winners, who match five main numbers without the Life Ball, are tracked separately from the top prize.
Before a win is added to the figures, the National Lottery validates the ticket, confirms the claim and completes identity checks. Totals are updated regularly, and both public and anonymous winners are included in the numbers.
Set For Life winners are spread right across the UK, meaning there is no single hotspot that consistently produces more winners once you account for how many people play in each area.
You might see more winner stories from places with larger populations, such as London and the South East, because more entries are bought there, which reflects participation levels rather than an advantage tied to location.
Winners also come from the Midlands, the North of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with smaller towns and rural areas celebrating wins too. Your postcode does not affect the outcome of any draw, and all entries have the same chance of winning.
To win the top prize in a single draw, a ticket must match all five main numbers plus the Life Ball. The odds of doing that are about 1 in 15.3 million, reflecting the combinations involved when choosing 5 numbers from 1 to 47, and a separate Life Ball from 1 to 10.
Your method of number selection does not change these probabilities. Whether you pick your own numbers or use a random selection, each valid line has exactly the same chance of winning.
The odds of winning the second prize, by matching all five main numbers without the Life Ball, are about 1 in 1.7 million. There are further prize tiers below these, each with shorter odds and different prize amounts as set out in the game rules.
All prizes are subject to the official rules and validation procedures. Prize structures and allocations may vary by draw, and terms and eligibility criteria apply.
Each draw is random and independent, and where you live has no effect on your chances. Past results do not influence future outcomes, and no system or strategy can improve the odds. Never spend more than you can afford, and stick to a strict budget.
Top-prize winners receive £10,000 per month for 30 years, paid directly into a bank account. Second-tier winners receive £10,000 every month for one year. Payments begin once the claim has been approved and the necessary checks are complete.
The National Lottery organises the payout schedule and supports winners throughout, from validating the ticket to setting up the regular payments. In the UK, Set For Life prizes are paid tax-free, so the amount stated is the amount received.
Do Set For Life winners have to go public?
Winners can remain anonymous if they prefer, or choose limited publicity. Publicity is optional, and the National Lottery will follow the winner’s choice in line with its procedures and the game’s terms and conditions.
Is the prize really paid monthly?
Payments are set up as monthly transfers into the winner’s bank account for the full prize term specified for the prize tier. The schedule is agreed with the winner and is administered by the National Lottery under the relevant rules.
Can you win Set For Life more than once?
It is possible for the same person to win in different draws, though extremely unlikely given the odds for each draw. Each entry is treated separately, and all prizes are subject to validation and the game’s rules.
Are Set For Life winnings taxed?
Set For Life prizes are paid tax‑free in the UK, so the advertised amount is what the winner receives; however, any interest earned on prize funds or subsequent financial gains may be taxable, and winners may wish to seek independent financial advice.
How quickly do you get your money if you win?
After your claim is approved and all checks are completed, payments start soon afterwards within an agreed timeframe. A National Lottery representative will guide winners through verification, account setup and the ongoing payment process.
All Set For Life outcomes are down to chance; therefore, you should always gamble responsibly by sticking to a strict budget within your means and making use of any responsible gambling tools available.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.