When it comes to the Postcode Lottery, it is natural to wonder whether you need to live at the address you enter. Maybe you are signing up from your current home, or weighing up another postcode. The small print can feel unclear, especially if it is your first time.
There are rules on who qualifies and what counts as a valid entry. If they are not followed, even by accident, a prize can be missed.
This guide explains how addresses work, what happens if you move, and how shared homes are handled. With the basics sorted, it is much easier to decide if you want to take part.
Do You Need To Live At The Address To Enter?
Yes. You must use the home where you genuinely live most of the time. That means your main residential address, where you receive post in your name and can be contacted.
Using someone else’s address, a business location, or any place you do not live at is not allowed. In some situations, proof of residence may be requested, especially if a prize is due.
If you move, it is your responsibility to update your details so your entry stays valid and any prizes reach you. Only UK residents aged 18 or over can join.
If your entry needs to be tied to where you live, the next question is how that address becomes a ticket in the draw.
How Do Postcode Lotteries Assign Tickets?
Your ticket is created using your full postcode and your house number or name. This links your entry to one specific property, not just the wider area. Each ticket is a paid subscription for that exact combination.
Details are held digitally and kept with your account while your subscription remains active and your information is up to date. Paper tickets are not issued. You will receive confirmation of your entry by email or post.
Only postcodes with at least one active player are included in draws. If your postcode is selected, every active ticket registered there takes a share of the prize, based on the number of tickets held.
That link between ticket and home makes verification important. So how do lotteries check that an address is genuine?
How Do Lotteries Verify Address And Residency?
Verification Methods Used By Postcode Lotteries
When you sign up, you provide your full residential address and postcode exactly as it appears for your home. The details are checked against official postal records for UK properties to confirm the address exists and is entered correctly.
If a prize is due, or if there is any uncertainty, further proof can be requested. Common documents include a recent utility bill, council tax statement or bank letter. Identification, such as a driving licence or passport, may also be asked for to confirm age and identity.
You are expected to keep your details current. If you move, you may need to provide documents for your new home before a prize is paid, and your account should be updated so future entries remain valid.
With verification covered, the natural follow-up is which types of addresses are actually eligible.
What Counts As An Eligible Address For Entry?
Using Shared Addresses, Business Addresses Or PO Boxes
An eligible address must be a real, occupied residential property in the UK where a person lives and receives mail. The address should match the official records used for checking.
Flats and shared houses are fine. More than one person at the same postcode can play, as long as each uses their own specific address detail. For example, separate households within one building should register as “Flat 2, 10 Main Street” and so on.
Business addresses, such as shops or offices, are not accepted. The entry must be tied to a home, not commercial premises. PO boxes are also not eligible because they do not show where you actually live.
If several people live at the same property, each player needs their own entry linked to their part of the address. Always use the place you genuinely live, not a location used only for mail or work.
Can Multiple People At The Same Address Enter And Win?
Yes. More than one adult living at the same address can enter, provided each person registers in their own name, pays for their own ticket, and meets the entry rules.
If your postcode is drawn and your ticket is active, you receive a share of the prize. A flatmate with their own active ticket at the same address would also receive a share. Prizes are paid to the named ticket holder, so joint entries under one name are not accepted.
This approach keeps shared households simple. Everyone who wants to take part does so individually and is identifiable if their postcode comes up.
How To Change Your Address Or Transfer A Ticket
If you move home and want to keep playing, update your account by contacting customer support through the official website or by phone. You may be asked to confirm your identity or provide proof of your new address, such as a recent bill or tenancy agreement. Once updated, your subscription will be linked to your new postcode for future draws.
Tickets are for individual players and cannot be transferred, sold or shared. If someone else wishes to play, they should open their own account and pay using their own details. If you cancel, your subscription stops, and any prizes won before cancellation remain yours if the ticket was active at the time of the draw.
What Happens If Your Address No Longer Matches The Ticket?
If you move and do not update your account, your ticket stays linked to your old address. This can cause problems if your old postcode is selected after you have left.
Prizes are paid only when your account details match and any checks are satisfied. If you win but your information is out of date, you may need to show proof of your new home and that you lived at the old address at the time of the draw. If mail is returned or requests go unanswered, a subscription can be paused or cancelled.
The simplest way to avoid issues is to update your details as soon as your address changes.
Common Reasons Entries Are Rejected Or Prizes Withheld
Entries can be declined if the address is not a genuine residence, if a PO box or business location is used, or if key details do not match official records. Applications are also rejected if the player is under 18 or lives outside the UK.
Prizes may be withheld if you cannot prove you live at the registered address, if your documents do not match your account, or if there is no response to requests for more information.
Missed or failed payments usually mean your ticket will not be entered into the next draw. Entries that breach the rules, such as using another person’s identity or sharing a ticket, are not accepted and any related prizes can be cancelled.
**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.