National Lottery players face little-known 'checkout rule' across all UK stores

A spokesman stated on the National Lotto website: "Players are limited to purchasing a maximum of 10 Scratchcards per transaction.

"This is effective in all stores where you can play The National Lottery."

Operator Allwyn brought in this limit in October 2024 as part of efforts to encourage responsible gambling.

The restriction is designed to curb impulsive and potentially addictive purchasing behaviour by stopping customers from acquiring large quantities in a single visit.

Beyond the purchase limit, several other regulations govern scratchcard play.

Buyers must be at least 18 years old to both purchase and claim prizes on winning tickets.

Any winning scratchcard "must be intact, not altered or tampered with" to be valid for a payout.

Shops selling National Lottery products are obligated to pay out winnings up to £100, with some retailers willing to honour prizes as high as £500.

These payouts must be made within 180 days of a game's official closure.

Games can be discontinued at any point, even if top prizes remain unclaimed.

The National Lottery publishes specific closure dates on its website.
For those struggling with gambling, Gamble Aware offers confidential advice and support.

Lottery winners continue to emerge across the UK, with Norwich forklift driver Adam Lopez among the fortunate few to scoop a seven-figure prize.

The 39-year-old described his £1million windfall as a "real pinch me moment!"

His win came unexpectedly while stopping to grab a drink.

Mr Lopez said: "I stopped to pick up a drink and bought a Scratchcard at the same time.

"Once in the car I played the Scratchcard. When I saw the £1million I didn't know what to do with myself, so shoved the Scratchcard in the glovebox without even thinking."

Rather than screaming as he had always imagined, Mr Lopez was rendered completely silent by the shock.

He rushed home to share the news with his mum, Danica, who initially refused to believe it was genuine.

Together they dialled the number on the back of the card to verify the win.

Mr Lopez said: "Making that call, whilst my mum bounced around the room, really is the best call I've ever made!"

He captured a screenshot of his bank balance once the funds arrived to preserve the memory.

Mr Lopez has since purchased his dream vehicle, a Range Rover Sport, while treating Danica to a Range Rover Evoque.

He said: "Sadly we lost my dad eight years ago. He always said that he'd take care of us and I think in some way this win came from him."