If you’ve seen Irish Lottery draws mentioned in a betting shop or printed on a slip, you may have wondered how it works in the UK.
This guide explains where you can take part, how it differs from the official Irish National Lottery, and what happens when you bet on its results through UK bookmakers. It also outlines how any payouts work, what’s legal, and what to look out for before placing a bet—so you can better understand the process clearly from the start.
What Is the Irish Lottery and Why Is It Popular in the UK?
The Irish Lottery, officially known as the National Lottery of Ireland, draws six numbers from 1 to 47 every Wednesday and Saturday, followed by a bonus ball. Players in Ireland can buy tickets through authorised retailers or the official website, with any potential prizes paid from the lottery’s prize fund.
In Great Britain, you can’t buy official Irish Lottery tickets. Instead, licensed bookmakers allow you to bet on the draw’s results. You pick numbers and stake an amount; if your selections match those drawn in Ireland, the bookmaker pays out using fixed odds rather than prize tiers.
Many UK players enjoy this format because it’s simple, familiar, and offers clear odds for smaller number combinations, such as matching three or four numbers. But it’s important to remember that betting on a lottery is not the same as playing the official draw—your wager is a bet on an outcome, not an entry into the Irish Lottery itself.
Where Can You Buy Irish Lottery Tickets in the UK?
You can’t buy genuine Irish Lottery tickets in Great Britain. Only authorised retailers in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland can sell them.
In the UK, many bookmakers offer bets on the Irish draw. You select your numbers on a slip, choose a stake, and hand it to the cashier. Your bet is registered, and when the draw takes place in Ireland, the bookmaker compares your numbers to the results. Any winnings are paid using the odds shown in-store, which can vary between operators.
Can You Still Buy Irish Lottery Tickets from Newsagents?
Newsagents and supermarkets in Great Britain can’t sell official Irish Lottery tickets. However, some may have betting slips or advertisements for Irish Lottery bets provided by some bookmakers.
Filling in one of these slips means you’re betting on the draw’s outcome, not purchasing a real ticket. Any winnings are paid by the bookmaker under their fixed odds. For example, matching three numbers might pay 700 to 1, depending on where you bet.
Because each operator sets its own conditions, it’s sensible to read the terms on the slip or ask staff if anything is unclear before you place your stake.
How Do Irish Lottery Tickets Work in UK Retailers?
When betting in a UK bookmaker, you usually choose between one and five numbers from 1 to 47. Once the Irish draw takes place, your numbers are checked, and any payout is made according to the bookmaker’s odds.
For instance, matching three numbers could return hundreds of pounds for a small stake, depending on the operator’s payout table. However, these odds are fixed before the draw and are unrelated to how many people take part.
This differs from the official Irish Lottery, where prizes depend on the total ticket sales and are shared between winners. In the UK version, your bet is purely against the bookmaker.
What Should You Know Before Buying Irish Lottery Tickets?
When you place a bet in the UK, you’re wagering on the Irish Lottery draw rather than buying a ticket for it. That means:
- All payouts come from the bookmaker, not the Irish Lottery fund.
- Rules and limits differ by operator—check before betting.
- Proof of bet is your receipt; keep it safe, as it’s needed to claim any potential winnings.
The Irish Lottery draw is random, and outcomes cannot be influenced. There’s no reliable method to predict or select “better” numbers, and no strategy can secure a win. The best approach is to treat betting as entertainment and to decide your stake amount before taking part.
Alternatives to Buying Irish Lottery Tickets in Shops
You can also bet online through UK-licensed websites offering Irish Lottery markets. The process mirrors betting in a shop: select your numbers, choose a stake, and your bet is settled once the draw results are published.
Alternatively, you could play official UK lotteries such as the Lotto, EuroMillions, or Thunderball. These are ticket-based games, with prizes funded by the lottery operator and not bookmakers.
Scratchcards are another option. They give instant results rather than waiting for a draw. The odds and potential prize details are printed on the card or listed online. Like draw betting, scratchcards are games of chance—no outcome can be guaranteed.
Is It Safe and Legal to Play the Irish Lottery in the UK?
It’s legal to bet on the Irish Lottery in Great Britain through bookmakers licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. These operators must follow strict regulations to protect consumers and ensure fair play.
You’re not entering the official Irish draw, and any winnings are paid entirely by the bookmaker based on the odds offered. To ensure safety, check that the shop or website displays a valid UK Gambling Commission licence and clear company information.
Responsible gambling tips:
- Set a personal spending limit and stick to it.
- Keep betting optional and enjoyable.
- Take breaks between bets and avoid chasing losses.
The Irish Lottery and similar games are based on chance. Understanding how they work—and the difference between betting and official lottery play—can help you make informed choices.
*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.