It’s a common question—especially when the draw’s approaching and you’re not sure if you’ve missed your chance. Knowing how late you can buy a lottery ticket in the UK can help you avoid disappointment. Whether you buy tickets in a shop or online, the rules are the same across the country.
This guide takes you through everything you need to know about ticket deadlines, including how different purchase methods work and why the timings are important. It also explains where you can buy tickets, what usually happens after the cut-off, and how to make informed decisions if you choose to play.
UK Lottery Ticket Deadlines Explained
In the UK, most draw-based National Lottery games—such as the Lotto, EuroMillions, Thunderball and Set For Life—have a fixed cut-off time for ticket purchases.
For each of these games, ticket sales close at 7.30pm on the day of the draw. This applies whether you’re buying in a high street shop, at a supermarket kiosk, online at the National Lottery website, or through the National Lottery app.
After this time, tickets are no longer available for that draw. Instead, any purchases made will be entered into the next scheduled draw. These cut-off times help ensure that every ticket is processed fairly and on time before the numbers are selected.
You can still access the National Lottery website and app outside of sales hours to check your numbers, browse results, or find information about upcoming draws. However, it’s not possible to log into your account between 2am and 6am, as the system is unavailable during this time. Ticket sales for draw-based games typically run from 6am until 11pm daily—except on draw days, when the 7.30pm deadline applies.
What Time Do Shops Stop Selling Lottery Tickets?
If you're buying your ticket from a retailer, such as a corner shop or supermarket, sales stop at 7.30pm on draw days—just like online. However, actual availability depends on the shop’s opening hours. If your local retailer closes before the standard cut-off, then you won’t be able to buy a ticket after they shut, even if it’s before 7.30pm.
All ticket machines in UK retailers are linked directly to the National Lottery’s central system. When the cut-off time arrives, the terminals are automatically locked for that draw, meaning no more entries can be processed.
Shops may display signs with their lottery hours, or you can ask staff directly if you’re unsure. Keep in mind that hours may change during bank holidays or for smaller local businesses.
Does the Cut-Off Time Change by Location?
The 7.30pm cut-off is a UK-wide rule. It does not change based on your location. Whether you’re in London, Glasgow, Cardiff, or a small village in Yorkshire, the deadline remains the same.
That said, your local shop may close earlier—especially on Sundays or holidays—so if you’re buying in person, it may be a good idea to check their hours in advance. Online ticket sales, however, follow the national schedule and are not affected by regional shop hours.
Online Lottery Ticket Sales: When Do They Close?
The National Lottery website and app let you buy tickets from 6am until 11pm each day. But when it comes to draw days, the key thing to remember is that ticket sales for that evening’s draw stop at 7.30pm.
After this time, you can still browse the site, but any attempt to buy a ticket for that day’s draw will be declined. Instead, you’ll be offered entry into the next draw.
You can also set up a Direct Debit to enter draws automatically. This may be useful if you don’t want to buy tickets manually each time. Just remember, this setup still follows the same sales windows. Any changes to your Direct Debit must be made in advance of the draw deadline.
UK Lottery Games and Their Sales Deadlines
Lotto and Thunderball
Lotto
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Draw days: Wednesday and Saturday
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Ticket cut-off: 7.30pm on draw days
Thunderball
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Draw days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
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Ticket cut-off: 7.30pm on draw days
EuroMillions and Set For Life
EuroMillions
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Draw days: Tuesday and Friday
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Ticket cut-off: 7.30pm on draw days
Set For Life
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Draw days: Monday and Thursday
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Ticket cut-off: 7.30pm on draw days
What If You Try to Buy After the Deadline?
If you attempt to buy a lottery ticket after the 7.30pm deadline, you’ll be blocked from entering that evening’s draw.
In shops, the machine will show a message that entries are closed, and no ticket will print. Online, you’ll see a notification that tickets for the current draw are no longer available.
In both cases, if you continue, your purchase will be for the next scheduled draw, not the one taking place that evening.
Best Times to Buy UK Lottery Tickets
When to buy your ticket is really up to you. Some people like to buy ahead of time to avoid missing the window, while others may prefer to make their purchase closer to the deadline.
There is no advantage to buying earlier or later in the day. Every valid entry is covered by the same random draw process, so timing within the allowed hours is simply a personal preference.
Remember to only spend what you are comfortable with, and use the support options available if you ever feel you need them.
With this knowledge, you can join in National Lottery games with confidence, knowing when and where to buy your tickets.
*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.