You might have come across terms like “quadruple rollover” when viewing lottery results or game pages and wondered what that means. Words such as rollover and must be won are sometimes used closely together, so it could be useful to understand the difference.
Here’s how rollovers increase over time, what happens when the rollover cap is reached, and how these rules apply to the UK National Lottery and other games.
How Many Times Can The Lottery Roll Over?
In the UK, Lotto has a set limit on how many times its jackpot can roll over. A rollover occurs when no one matches all six main numbers. In that case, the jackpot moves forward and is added to the next draw’s top prize.
The Lotto jackpot can roll over a maximum of five consecutive times. If no one wins during those five draws, the next one becomes a Must Be Won draw. In this sixth draw, if no ticket matches all six numbers, the prize is shared with winners in the lower prize tiers.
Other games such as EuroMillions or Thunderball have their own rollover caps and prize structures. Each game may differ, so it might be helpful to check the rules for any specific game you play.
Jackpots offered through online casinos or betting sites may also follow different structures and terms. Checking the specific game information could help you understand how that prize system works.
What Happens On The Fourth Rollover?
A fourth rollover means there have been four consecutive draws without a jackpot winner. At this point, the jackpot has increased over multiple draws. The format of the draw remains unchanged, and the standard prize structure continues.
If no player matches all six numbers on the fourth rollover, the jackpot progresses to the fifth draw. That fifth draw is the final rollover allowed for Lotto and will become a Must Be Won draw if no top prize winner is found.
This applies specifically to Lotto. Other lottery games may follow different rules depending on their format.
Is a Quadruple Rollover a Must Be Won?
A quadruple rollover refers to the draw that follows four previous rollovers. This can sometimes be confused with a Must Be Won event. However, it is not the same.
The Must Be Won draw occurs after five rollovers have taken place. This is the fifth and final rollover permitted in Lotto. The quadruple rollover is the fourth draw in this sequence, and if no one wins, the next draw becomes the Must Be Won event.
During the quadruple rollover, the draw continues under standard rules. If there is still no winner, the jackpot will increase and move to the Must Be Won stage.
Each game has its own rules, so it might be helpful to check the details before entering.
Must Be Won Draw Rules Explained
A Must Be Won draw happens in Lotto after five rollovers. This ensures that the jackpot amount will be distributed in that draw.
If someone matches all six numbers, the full jackpot is awarded to that ticket. If no ticket matches all six, a rolldown takes place. This means the jackpot is shared across lower prize tiers.
In the event of a rolldown, the jackpot is split among the prize tiers as follows:
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Match 5 + Bonus: 3%
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Match 5: 5%
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Match 4: 7%
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Match 3: 85%
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Match 2: players receive a fixed prize and a free Lucky Dip
These percentages reflect the distribution during a rolldown event. The exact amounts depend on the number of winners in each tier.
Games outside of Lotto may not follow the same distribution model.
Rollover Vs Roll Down: What’s The Difference?
Rollover and rolldown are terms used in relation to lottery jackpots but refer to different outcomes.
A rollover happens when no player wins the jackpot. The prize then moves forward and is added to the next draw. A rollover continues up to the set limit for that game.
A rolldown takes place only in a Must Be Won draw when no player matches all the main numbers. In this case, the jackpot is distributed among winners in the lower prize tiers instead of being carried over again.
When Does A Roll Down Actually Happen?
A rolldown occurs in Lotto if no ticket matches all six main numbers in a Must Be Won draw. This draw follows five consecutive rollovers.
If the jackpot has not been won by the time the draw reaches its cap, the full jackpot amount is rolled down and shared between the remaining prize tiers. The way the prize is shared depends on the number of winners in each category.
Other lottery games may have different rules for prize distribution. It could be a good idea to read the terms of each game to understand how the jackpot is handled.
Is It Worth Playing A Quadruple Rollover?
A quadruple rollover means the jackpot has grown over four draws. Some players may find this an interesting time to enter, as the top prize is higher than in earlier stages.
It’s important to remember that the odds of winning the jackpot remain the same in every draw. For Lotto, the odds of matching all six numbers are 1 in 45,057,474.
Every draw is random. Entering a game does not affect your chances beyond the odds set by the draw structure. If you’re considering playing, it may help to review the game rules, check the prize structure, and decide what suits your own preferences.
If you choose to explore other games, each one will have its own approach to jackpots and rollovers. Reading the terms could help clarify how each one works. Players should always remember to gamble responsibly and within their means- never wager more than you can afford to lose.
**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.
*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.