The UK National Lottery was set up in 1994 after The National Lottery Act was passed in 1993.

Lottery tickets went on sale on 14th November 1994 with the first draw on Saturday 19th November 1994. At the time of launch, the game was known as 'The National Lottery Game'. It has since been re-branded ”the Lotto‘.

The first midweek Lotto draw took place on Wednesday 5th February 1997.

The National Lottery draws are broadcast on BBc1 every Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Exact times for the TV show and draws may vary if there are special programmes or events on.

The overall odds of winning a lottery prize are 1 in 54. It's worth remembering, the exact value of lottery prizes depends on how many tickets are sold and how many other people's numbers match the numbers that are drawn. For example, if two or more people match the six numbers drawn, then the jackpot is split between them.

The UK national lottery jackpot prize is won by matching the first six numbers drawn [1-49]. A seventh number is also drawn and is called the ”bonus‘ number.

Prizes can be won by matching 5 numbers, 5 numbers plus bonus number, 4 numbers and 3 numbers. Prizes are tax free and paid in one lump sum.

What is a Superdraw? A Superdraw is like any other lottery draw except that you are guaranteed a minimum jackpot size.

Lotto Extra Tickets for Lotto Extra went on sale on Monday 13th November 2000 at 24,800 National Lottery outlets across the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man. The first draw took place on Wednesday 15th November 2000. At the time of launch the game was known as 'Lottery Extra'. The odds are 1 in 13,983,816. This is the same as the 6/49 game as the same 6 from 49 matrix is used.

What is Thunderball? The first Thunderball tickets went on sale on Monday 7th June 1999 and the first Thunderball draw took place on Saturday 12th June 1999. The first midweek Thunderball draw took place on Wednesday 23rd October 2002. The odds of winning any prize on Thunderball are just 1 in 18.2.

What are Lotto HotPicks? Tickets for Lotto HotPicks went on sale on Sunday 7th July 2002. The first Lotto HotPicks games took place on Wednesday 10th July 2002. The approximate odds of winning on Lotto HotPicks are as follows: 'Pick 2', 1 in 79; 'Pick 3', 1 in 922; 'Pick 4', 1 in 14,126.

Why Is There A Capping System ? A capping system is put in place in the extreme and unlikely event that more players win than the prize fund can pay out. Lotto and Thunderball both have a capping system. Lotto's capping system operates in terms of the number of £10 winners and Thunderball on all prize levels. To date, neither have had to use the capping system.