When National Lottery held its Set For Life draw on Thursday, 19 June 2025, the £10,000‑a‑month‑for‑life jackpot went unclaimed, but a single ticket snagged the second‑tier prize of £10,000 each month for a year.
Background: How Set For Life Works
First launched in 2015, the Set For Life game promises two headline‑grabbing prizes. Match all five main numbers plus the Life Ball nets a lifetime annuity of £10,000 per month for 30 years – roughly £3.6 million in total. Miss the Life Ball but hit all five numbers, and you walk away with £10,000 per month for 12 months. The draw is run twice a week, using the Excalibur 4 ball machine and the SFL1 ball set, all under the watchful eye of an independent adjudicator.
Tuesday’s Numbers and the Prize Breakdown
The balls came out in the order 45, 8, 10, 28, 12, followed by Life Ball 9. No ticket matched the full five numbers plus the Life Ball, so the top jackpot rolls over to the next draw. However, one player hit the coveted Match‑5 without the Life Ball, securing £120,000 paid as £10,000 a month for a year.
Here's a quick look at how the rest of the £1,378,525 prize fund was allocated:
- Match 4 + Life Ball: 26 winners × £250 = £6,500
- Match 4: 298 winners × £50 = £14,900
- Match 3 + Life Ball: 1,369 winners × £30 = £41,070
- Match 3: 12,161 winners × £20 = £243,220
- Match 2 + Life Ball: 16,973 winners × £10 = £169,730
- Match 2: 156,621 winners × £5 = £783,105
In total, 187,449 players walked away with something, from a modest £5 win to the life‑changing annuity.
Why It Matters: The Lottery’s Role in the UK
The draw coincided with Roald Dahl Day, and the National Lottery used the moment to spotlight a Good Cause story about illustration workshops that bring communities together. Those workshops, run across England and the Isle of Man, illustrate the lottery’s broader remit: a share of ticket sales funds arts, heritage, sport and community projects.
For those 18‑plus and physically present in the United Kingdom, the lottery is a legal form of gambling, regulated by the Gambling Commission. The organization constantly promotes responsible play, urging participants to use its "healthy play toolkit" – set limits, take time‑outs, or set reminders.
Player Reactions and Expert Insight
While the lone Match‑5 winner is understandably thrilled – "I can finally pay off my mortgage and still have cash left for a holiday," one winner told the local press – the broader player base expressed mixed feelings. Some lamented the missed jackpot, noting that a £3.6 million annuity could fund a small business or retire a family.
Gambling researcher Dr Sofia Patel of the University of Leeds pointed out that the odds of hitting the top prize sit at 1 in 15.3 million, making any win feel like a windfall. "The excitement of the draw is part of the appeal, but players should always keep the odds in perspective," she said.
Future Outlook: What’s Next for Set For Life?
With the jackpot now rolling over, the next draw – scheduled for Monday, 23 June – will feature a larger top prize. The National Lottery has hinted at promotional tie‑ins, potentially linking the next draw to the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest finals, which could boost ticket sales.
Meanwhile, the lottery’s commitment to Good Causes remains steady. This year, over £2 billion is earmarked for charitable projects, ranging from youth sports facilities in Glasgow to historic preservation in York.
Key Facts
- Date of draw: 19 June 2025
- Top prize (unclaimed): £10,000 per month for 30 years
- Second‑tier winner: £10,000 per month for 12 months
- Total winners: 187,449
- Total prize fund: £1,378,525
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Set For Life jackpot roll over?
If no ticket matches all five main numbers plus the Life Ball, the £10,000‑a‑month‑for‑30‑years jackpot is added to the next draw’s prize pool, increasing the potential annuity for the next winner.
Who is eligible to play Set For Life?
Anyone aged 18 or over who is physically located in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man can purchase a ticket, either from a licensed retailer or online via the National Lottery website.
What are the odds of winning the top prize?
The odds of matching all five main numbers plus the Life Ball are about 1 in 15.3 million, making it a rare event. The odds for the second‑tier prize (Match 5 only) are roughly 1 in 2.2 million.
How does the National Lottery support Good Causes?
Around 28 % of ticket revenue is allocated to community projects. In 2024‑25 this funded arts workshops, sports facilities, heritage restorations and health initiatives across England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man.
What tools does the lottery offer for responsible play?
The "healthy play toolkit" lets players set spending limits, schedule time‑outs, and receive reminder emails. Players can also self‑exclude for periods up to six months.