If you’ve been playing the People’s Postcode Lottery and have decided it’s time to cancel your subscription, this guide explains how to do it.
Whether you're reviewing your monthly outgoings, changing your spending, or just trying something new, it may be helpful to know how the cancellation process works.
This blog outlines what the Postcode Lottery is, how you can cancel, and what you might expect, depending on how you originally set up your payments.
What Is Postcode Lottery?
The People’s Postcode Lottery is a subscription-based lottery available across the UK. It launched in 2005 and is regulated by the Gambling Commission. Instead of choosing individual numbers like some other lotteries, your entry is linked to your postcode.
Players are entered into daily, weekly, and monthly prize draws. Entry is based on a monthly subscription model. As of now, the cost is £12.25 per month. This enters you into all draws scheduled for that month.
Unlike some other games of chance, you don’t need to claim any potential prizes manually. If your postcode is drawn and you’ve paid for that draw, the prize is usually sent out automatically.
The potential winnings can vary, and while some players do win cash prizes, many months may pass without any payout. This is because the game is based entirely on chance. Proceeds go towards a range of charities and community projects.
If you want to learn more about the Postcode Lottery, we have a great Postcode Lottery FAQs page, answering any questions you may have about the Postcode Lottery.
Can You Cancel Postcode Lottery Online?
At present, the People’s Postcode Lottery doesn’t offer a direct online cancellation feature through your account. You cannot log in to your account and cancel the subscription yourself using a button or setting.
Instead, cancellation must be requested by contacting their customer service team. This is to ensure that the cancellation is processed securely and linked correctly to your payment method and account details.
If you try to cancel your payment method (for example through PayPal or your bank), this might stop future payments, but it doesn’t automatically close your lottery subscription on their system. That’s why getting in touch directly is the recommended approach.
How To Cancel Postcode Lottery
To cancel your People’s Postcode Lottery subscription, you will need to speak with their customer experience team. You can do this by:
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Calling: 0808 109 8765 (free from UK landlines and mobiles)
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Using the form on the official website
When you contact them, you may be asked to confirm:
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Your full name
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The postcode linked to your subscription
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The last few digits of your payment method for verification
Once processed, they will confirm when your final payment will be taken (if applicable) and when your entries will stop.
It may be a good idea to cancel a few days before your next scheduled payment date, to allow time for the request to be handled.
Cancel Postcode Lottery PayPal Subscription
If you’re using PayPal to fund your subscription, you can stop future payments through your PayPal account. However, doing this does not directly notify the People’s Postcode Lottery that you want to cancel. It only stops PayPal from processing further payments.
Here’s how to stop a recurring payment on PayPal:
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Log into your PayPal account.
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Go to Settings, then Payments.
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Select Manage automatic payments.
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Find “Postcode Lottery” in the list of merchants.
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Click the name, then select Cancel.
PayPal may ask you to confirm this decision. Once done, you should receive an email confirming that the payment authority has been cancelled.
While this stops further PayPal charges, it’s still best to inform the lottery directly. That way, your subscription status is updated on their system and you can avoid any confusion.
Postcode Lottery Cancel Direct Debit: What Happens?
If you signed up using a Direct Debit, you can ask your bank to cancel it. This will stop the bank from sending payments to the lottery in future. You can usually do this through online banking, a mobile banking app, or by speaking to your bank directly.
However, cancelling a Direct Debit this way doesn’t update your subscription status with the People’s Postcode Lottery. It may also lead to missed payments if there’s a delay, which could affect your entry into future draws. To avoid any uncertainty, it’s best to speak directly to the lottery’s customer service team and ask for your subscription to be closed properly.
Banks in the UK offer a Direct Debit Guarantee, which means you can request a possible refund if an incorrect payment is taken after cancellation. Still, it may be simpler to cancel properly by going through both your bank and the lottery's support team.
If you’re thinking about reducing your lottery participation or taking a break, it's also worth knowing there are tools and support available for responsible gambling. You can seek support from services like BeGambleAware.org or GamCare if you're finding it hard to manage your play.
Lotteries are random games of chance. There's no way to influence the outcome or guarantee any prizes. Please play 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.
**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.