If you’ve ever wondered how many people have won the National Lottery’s Set For Life game, you're not alone. Since its launch in March 2019, Set For Life has attracted many players across the UK, thanks to its unique prize structure. Unlike standard lottery draws where the jackpot is paid out in a single lump sum, Set For Life pays winners £10,000 each month for 30 years — adding up to a total prize of £3.6 million over time.
As of May 2025, there have been around 61 confirmed top prize winners who matched all five main numbers plus the Life Ball. These winners receive their prize in monthly installments, rather than a single payout, which is what sets this game apart. Because winners can choose to go public or remain anonymous, the actual number may be higher, as some winners may prefer to keep their success private.
While many people dream of a large windfall, this kind of payout offers a more gradual approach. It may suit people who might want a steady income over time, rather than one large sum, which can sometimes be overwhelming to manage all at once.
As with all lottery games, these wins are not based on skill or strategy. The outcome is entirely random, and there is no way to influence the result of a draw. Lotteries are games of chance, and while people do win, no outcome is ever certain.
Has Anyone Ever Won Set For Life?
Yes, there have been several individuals who’ve not only won the Set For Life top prize, but have also chosen to share their stories publicly. Their accounts provide insight into what it might be like to receive a long-term payout from the National Lottery.
One such winner is James Evans, a 21-year-old from South Wales who found out he’d won while checking the National Lottery app. James had matched all five numbers and the Life Ball in a December 2020 draw. He described being “stunned” and said he planned to use the money to secure a future for himself and help his family.
Another notable winner is Vicky Mitchell, a mum of two from Halifax, who won the top prize in August 2019 using a Lucky Dip. She went public with her story and explained how the win gave her financial freedom and time to spend with her children.
These examples show that winners come from a wide range of backgrounds. Whether someone is just starting out in their career or raising a family, the structure of the prize — regular payments over three decades — has the potential to provide a significant financial boost. However, these wins are the exception, not the rule. Every draw is random, and it’s important to approach playing with realistic expectations.
How Many People Have Won Set For Life?
Since the Set For Life game was launched in the UK in March 2019, there have been at least 61 top prize winners, according to available figures. This number is based on players who matched all five main numbers plus the Life Ball in a single draw. These winners qualify for the full top prize of £10,000 per month for 30 years.
It’s worth noting that the number of winners varies from draw to draw. Some draws may have no winners of the top prize, while others may have more than one. For example, the draw held on 20th April 2020 saw three players win the top prize on the same night.
This shows that multiple people can win in the same draw, as each ticket is treated independently. You’re not competing against other players — instead, you're trying to match the winning numbers drawn that evening. While the chances of winning are low, more than 60 people have done so since the game began.
If you're interested in checking past results, the official National Lottery website keeps a draw history for Set For Life. It provides full details of the winning numbers and a breakdown of the potential prizes.
What Are The Odds Of Winning Set For Life?
Set For Life is a draw-based lottery game, which means players select numbers and wait for the results of an official draw. Like all National Lottery games, the outcome is entirely random. This means that every number combination has the same chance of being drawn as any other.
When you play Set For Life, you pick five main numbers between 1 and 47, plus one Life Ball between 1 and 10. You win the top prize by matching all five main numbers and the Life Ball.
Here are the odds of winning across all prize tiers:
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Match 5 + Life Ball: £10,000 a month for 30 years – odds of 1 in 15,339,390
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Match 5: £10,000 a month for 1 year – odds of 1 in 1,704,377
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Match 4 + Life Ball: £250 – odds of 1 in 73,045
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Match 4: £50 – odds of 1 in 8,116
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Match 3 + Life Ball: £30 – odds of 1 in 1,782
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Match 3: £20 – odds of 1 in 198
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Match 2 + Life Ball: £10 – odds of 1 in 134
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Match 2: £5 – odds of 1 in 15
The overall odds of winning any prize are roughly 1 in 12.4, which includes the smallest potential prizes such as £5 and £10.
While the odds for the top prize are steep, these numbers are typical for lottery games. It’s important to understand that there's no strategy or method to guarantee a win. The numbers are drawn at random, and each entry has the same chance.
What Happens If A Set For Life Winner Dies?
One common question is what happens if a Set For Life winner dies before receiving all their monthly payments. In this situation, the rules set by the National Lottery
ensure that the remaining value of the prize is still paid out — but as a lump sum.
The remaining balance of the prize is calculated by adding up all the future monthly payments that would have been made. This total amount is then paid to the winner’s estate. An estate is the legal term for everything a person owns at the time of their death, including property, money, and belongings.
This lump sum becomes part of the estate and will be distributed according to the winner’s will or, if no will exists, under the rules of intestacy (legal rules that decide who inherits if there’s no will).
Winners are advised to seek financial guidance after winning. Having a plan for how the prize is managed — including what happens after death — can help make sure the money goes where the winner intends. While this isn’t something most people want to think about, it’s an important part of managing a long-term prize responsibly.
Can You Win Set For Life Twice?
It is technically possible for someone to win Set For Life more than once, although no individual has done so to date. Each draw is independent, and every ticket entered has an equal chance of winning. So, if someone wins and chooses to continue playing, they are not excluded from potentially winning again.
However, the odds of winning the top prize even once are approximately 1 in 15.3 million. The probability of winning it twice is even lower. While there have been draws where multiple people have won the top prize on the same night — these were different individuals with different tickets.
Because lottery games are based on chance, there is no pattern or way to predict who might win. The outcome of each draw is random, so previous wins don’t affect future chances. Anyone playing should be aware that wins of this scale are rare.
If you decide to play regularly, it's a good idea to set a limit that suits your budget. Gambling should never be viewed as a way to make money or cover expenses. For guidance on staying in control, the National Lottery offers tools and resources through its Healthy Play programme, and services like BeGambleAware and GamCare provide free, confidential support.
*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.