Latest You Can Buy a Lottery Ticket in the UK

Knowing when you can buy a lottery ticket is a common question, especially if you are planning for the next draw. Cut-off times can vary depending on where and how you buy.

With both high street shops and online options, it is not always clear which rules apply or why they differ. Timing affects whether your numbers are included in a particular draw.

Different lotteries and websites follow their own schedules, usually within the rules set by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Understanding these timings could help when planning your potential entry. Read on to learn more. 

When Can You Buy Lottery Tickets in the UK?

In the UK, you can buy lottery tickets both in shops and on official websites or apps. In most shops, sales are open from early morning until around 7:30pm on the day of the draw. Online, the cut-off typically matches 7:30pm as well, although some platforms set slightly different closing times within their terms.

Not every draw runs on the same day. Lotto and EuroMillions both have two draws per week, while other games run on their own schedules. Special event draws can have different timings, so it is worth checking the exact time for the game you want.

Licensed providers follow UK rules for how entries open and close. You must be 18 or over to play in the UK. 

If you do decide to try your hand at lottery games, remember to do so responsibly and within your means; never wager more than you can afford to lose. 

Cut-Off Times for Buying Lotto Tickets Online and In-Store

If you are buying in a corner shop or supermarket, National Lottery ticket sales generally pause at 7:30pm on draw days. Many shops open early, so there is plenty of time to buy before the evening deadline. After the cut-off, sales stop while the draw is processed.

Online, most services align with the same 7:30pm close. A few may close marginally earlier to handle payment and entry processing. Exact timings are shown on each service, so a quick check before you buy helps avoid missing the window.

Some sites also host lottery-style and instant-win games with their own schedules. These do not follow National Lottery draw times, so the rules and cut-offs can vary. 

What Time Does Lottery Ticket Sales Close for Each Draw?

Each draw follows a defined schedule, with sales pausing shortly before the results are processed. Here are the usual times for the main games in the UK.

National Lottery Cut-Off Times

For the main Lotto game, ticket sales usually pause at 7:30pm on draw days. Draws take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Retailers and websites follow this close to ensure all entries are confirmed before the draw, and timings can shift on special event nights, so it is worth checking if something big is happening.

EuroMillions and Set For Life Deadlines

EuroMillions runs every Tuesday and Friday, with a UK cut-off of around 7:30pm for both in-store and online entries. Set For Life runs on Mondays and Thursdays and uses the same 7:30pm close. Some online services display a slightly earlier deadline to allow for processing, so it  might be a good idea to rely on the time shown at checkout.

Thunderball and Daily Draw Timings

Thunderball tickets are available up to around 7:30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. That means four separate draw days, each with the same evening close. Daily draw or instant-win style games offered by some sites set their own entry windows, which may be open at different times to the National Lottery. Always follow the timing displayed by the game host.

Can You Still Buy a Ticket After the Cut-Off Time?

Once the cut-off time passes, you will not be able to buy a ticket for that specific draw. Sales automatically pause, then reopen for the next scheduled draw once entries roll over.

If you visit a shop or log in after the deadline, any ticket you buy will be entered into the next draw, not the one about to take place. Platforms show the draw date on screen or on your receipt, so it is clear which one you are entered into.

Some sites also offer instant-win games that do not follow draw deadlines and may be available at other times. These are separate from scheduled lottery draws and have their own rules.

Buying Lottery Tickets Online vs In a Shop

Buying in a shop gives you a paper ticket as proof of entry. You hand over your slip and payment at the counter, and you keep hold of the printed ticket until it is checked. Shops usually sell throughout the day until the cut-off shown on the terminal.

Online, everything is stored in your account. Your entries and numbers are recorded digitally, there is no paper to keep safe, and your account history shows past purchases. Many players like the convenience of setting up entries for several draws at once, and tools such as spend limits and reminders help keep things in check.

Only official retailers and authorised online services sell entries into the National Lottery. Some other sites host lottery-style games with different rules, prize structures and timings. If you see a game that looks different to the main draws, it is simply a separate product with its own schedule.

How Early Can You Buy Tickets for Future Draws?

You can usually buy tickets for upcoming draws well in advance, both in shops and online. In many stores, entries for the next draw open soon after the current draw’s cut-off, often within minutes, so planning ahead is straightforward.

Online platforms often add more flexibility. You can select entries for multiple draws at once, or choose options that automatically enter future draws. Everything is confirmed on your account, so you can review upcoming entries and change them before the deadline if you want to.

If you are using a site that offers lottery or lotto-style games alongside the main draws, advance purchases depend on that game’s rules. Some support multi-draw selection, while others only allow entry to the next available draw. A quick look at the game’s information page will usually show what is possible. Always keep responsible gambling practices in mind.

_{**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.}

_{*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.}