Each week, the lottery gives participants the opportunity to win prizes that can sometimes reach into the millions of pounds. While many people are familiar with how to enter, there are often questions about how the results are determined.
One common question is whether the numbers need to be in a specific order to win. Others may wonder how many numbers must match to receive a prize.
In this Wizard Slots blog post, we provide a clear explanation of how the lottery works and address some of the most frequently asked questions.
Read on to learn more.
Do Lottery Numbers Have To Be In Order To Win The Jackpot?
If you choose to play the lottery, you might wonder whether the order of your numbers matters when it comes to winning the jackpot. The answer is no—lottery numbers do not have to be in order to win. It makes no difference how you write them down or the sequence in which they’re drawn. What matters is that the numbers on your ticket match the numbers drawn, regardless of the order.
In the UK National Lottery (Lotto), for example, you select six numbers between 1 and 59. To win the jackpot, you would need to match all six main numbers drawn. There is also a bonus ball, drawn from the remaining numbers, but this only applies if you match five numbers—it has the potential to increase your prize, but it does not impact the jackpot.
To illustrate, imagine you choose the numbers 7, 15, 17, 8, 1, and 32. If the Lotto draw produces the numbers 17, 1, 15, 8, 7, and 32, you would still win the jackpot because all six numbers match, even though they appear in a different order.
You might notice that the official National Lottery website lists the winning numbers in numerical order—for example, 1, 7, 8, 15, 17, 32. This is simply for clarity and ease of reading; the order of the numbers has no effect on your chances of winning.
Do Lotto Numbers Have To Be On The Same Line?
If you choose to play a standard Lotto game, it’s important to know that your six selected numbers must all be on the same line—that is, a single play on your ticket—in order to qualify for the jackpot or any other prize. Each line you play counts as a separate entry, so while you can select multiple lines on one ticket, you cannot combine numbers from different lines to create a possible winning combination.
For example, if you play one line with the numbers 1, 7, 15, 17, 32, 45, and a second line with 2, 9, 12, 25, 38, 59, but the winning numbers are spread across both lines, you wouldn’t win a prize unless all the matching numbers appear together on one line.
It’s also worth noting that your numbers must come from the same draw. Combining numbers from different draws is not valid and won’t count as a winning entry.
How Many Lottery Numbers Do You Need To Win Something?
If you decide to play the lottery, the number of matching numbers you need to win a prize will depend on the specific game you’re playing. For example, in the UK National Lottery (Lotto), the typical prize structure works like this:
- Match all 6 main numbers to win the jackpot, which will roll over if there’s no winner.
- Match 5 main numbers plus the bonus ball to win around £1 million.
- Match 5 main numbers to win approximately £1,750.
- Match 4 main numbers to receive about £140.
- Match 3 main numbers to get roughly £30.
- Match 2 main numbers to earn a free Lotto Lucky Dip entry.
It’s important to remember that prize amounts can vary depending on ticket sales and the number of winners for each draw. The figures above are estimates to give you a general idea and are not guaranteed.
If you choose to play a game like Lotto HotPicks, the rules differ. In HotPicks, you select how many numbers you want to try and match in the main Lotto draw—anywhere from one to five—but you must match all of your chosen numbers exactly to win. Matching fewer numbers than you selected means you won’t receive a prize.
In summary, Lotto numbers do not need to be in order to win—as long as your numbers match the ones drawn, you win. However, all your numbers must be on the same line and from the same draw for the entry to be valid.
In the UK Lotto, you need to match at least two numbers to win a prize, which is typically a free Lucky Dip. The more numbers you match, the larger the prize you can win.
For other Lotto-style games, such as Lotto HotPicks, you must match all the numbers you selected in order to win. These games often have different rules and prize structures, so it's important to understand the specific requirements before playing.
Wizard Slots does not offer lottery games. However, you can try our range of instant win games, online scratch cards, bingo, and a wide variety of slots.
Whether you choose to play the lottery or any of the games available at our online casino, always remember to gamble responsibly and never wager more than you’re prepared to lose.
*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.
**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.