Draw process
This page explains how winners are determined and how results can be checked independently. Every Bonus Ball entry now gives you 2 chances: Round 1 for the main prize and Round 2 for entry fee credit. For full terms, including free postal entry and eligibility, please read the Competition Rules.
- 1Entries close 7:30pm (UK)
- 2Draw days Wed / Sat
- 3Round 1 wins main prize
- 4Round 2 wins entry credit
Ticket sales for Bonus Ball competitions close at 7:30pm (UK time) on draw days (Wednesday or Saturday).
If a competition has not sold out by closing time, it may roll over and remain open until the next applicable live draw, as shown on the competition page or Rules.
Round 1: if your chosen number matches the official Round 1 Lotto Bonus Ball, you win the prize shown on that competition.
Round 2: if you do not win the main prize but your chosen number matches the official Round 2 Lotto Bonus Ball, you get your entry fee back as website credit.
We reference publicly available draw results for transparency. TheBonusBall is not affiliated with or endorsed by The National Lottery.
How the winner is determined
- Each entry is linked to a number within the competition’s stated range. Bonus Ball competitions use numbers 1–59.
- Entries close at the advertised time. Wednesday and Saturday draws close at 7:30pm UK time.
- If the competition does not sell out by closing time, it may roll over to the next applicable live draw.
- Round 1: after the relevant National Lottery draw, we reference the official Round 1 Lotto Bonus Ball result.
- If your entry number matches the Round 1 Bonus Ball, you win the main prize shown on the competition.
- Round 2: if you do not win the main prize, we also reference the official Round 2 Lotto Bonus Ball result.
- If your entry number matches the Round 2 Bonus Ball, you get your entry fee back as website credit.
Independent verification
- The UK Lotto draw results are publicly available and can be checked independently.
- We match the published Round 1 Bonus Ball to the recorded entry number for the main prize.
- We match the published Round 2 Bonus Ball to the recorded entry number for website credit.
- We keep entry and order records to support verification and auditing.
Winner notification
- We aim to contact main prize winners within 24 hours once verified.
- Round 2 website credit winners may have credit added to their account after the result is checked.
- We use the details provided at entry, or supplied with a free postal entry.
- We may request eligibility verification before fulfilment, such as age or identity checks.
Prize fulfilment
- Round 1 winners receive the main prize shown on the competition page.
- Physical prizes are shipped using tracked delivery where available.
- Tracking details are provided once dispatched.
- Cash prizes are transferred after verification checks are completed.
- Round 2 website credit is applied as entry fee credit and is not the main prize.
Winners page
- Completed competitions may appear on the Winners page after verification.
- Main prize winners may be shown in a privacy-safe format, such as first name and town, where permitted.
- Round 2 credit winners may be recorded internally for account credit purposes.
Fair play & compliance
- Competitions are operated as skill-based prize competitions. See Rules for the skill requirement.
- No purchase necessary — free postal entry is available as described in the Rules.
- Paid and free entries are treated equally when determining Round 1 and Round 2 outcomes.
- Round 1 decides the main prize winner. Round 2 gives a second chance to receive entry fee credit.