Ever wondered if all the big prizes on National Lottery scratch cards have already been claimed before you buy one? You’re not alone. Many people want to see what is still up for grabs before they spend their money.
With new games launching and batches selling through at different speeds, it is not always obvious which prizes remain available. Figures do change, and keeping track can feel like a moving target.
This guide explains how to check remaining prizes with trusted sources, how often numbers are refreshed, and how to read the tables and odds you will see online. By the end, you will know where to find accurate updates and what they actually mean for you as a player.
How Do I Check Remaining Scratch Card Prizes Online?
The most reliable place to see what prizes are left is the official National Lottery website. Each game has its own page that shows the prizes originally in circulation and how many are unclaimed right now, from smaller amounts through to the top prize. These pages are refreshed regularly, which helps you make sense of what is still available at a glance.
You will not be able to see where specific tickets are located, but you can see the live picture for each game overall. Retailers sometimes carry leaflets or posters, although printed materials can lag behind the site.
Always rely on official sources for up-to-date information. Third-party sites are sometimes slower to update or may omit parts of the prize breakdown. If you prefer different ways to double-check, the options below cover web, app and in-store.
Methods To Verify Remaining Wins: Website, App, Retailer
Check On The Official Lottery Website
On the National Lottery site, the scratch cards section lists active games with a prize table for each one. You can view how many prizes launched, how many have been claimed, and what is still unclaimed. Each page shows when it was last updated, so you can judge how current the figures are without guessing.
Use The Lottery Mobile App
The National Lottery app mirrors the key information from the website in a mobile-friendly format. It lets you browse games, see remaining prizes, and check when data was last refreshed. It can also alert you to new games, which is useful if you follow particular price points or themes.
Ask A Retailer To Scan The Ticket
If you already have a scratch card, any participating retailer can scan it at the terminal and confirm the result immediately. You will be told whether the ticket has won and the amount to claim. This is the quickest way to verify a specific ticket, even though it will not show how many prizes are left across the wider game.
Because the figures move, it helps to know how often they change.
How Often Are Remaining Prize Counts Updated?
Timing matters. The National Lottery usually updates remaining prize counts weekly, often at the start of the week. Public holidays and busy periods can shift the timing a little, so the date shown on each game page is your best guide.
There is also a short delay between a retailer paying a prize and that result appearing in the online totals. Wins need to pass through a central system before they are reflected on the website, which can take a few days.
Occasionally, a game may end early or sell through quickly, which also affects what you see. Checking the date stamp on the game page before you decide what to do next is a simple way to make sure you are working from the latest numbers.
Knowing when figures change is only half the picture. It also helps to understand what the tables and odds are showing.
How To Read Prize Tables And Odds On Scratch Cards
Every scratch card has a prize table that lists the available amounts and how many of each amount were put into circulation at launch. You will find this on the back of the card and on the game’s web page. As prizes are claimed, the online table is updated to show what remains.
You will also see overall odds printed as something like 1 in 4.03. This is an average across the full print run for wins of any value. It does not guarantee a winning ticket at fixed intervals, and it does not adjust during the life of the game. The remaining prizes can go up or down as claims are made, but the published odds stay the same because they describe the original distribution.
Reading the table alongside the odds gives you a clear view of what was available at launch and how that picture has shifted over time. And if your card does show a win, here is how claims usually work.
How Do I Claim A Prize And Confirm It’s Still Available?
For wins up to £100, most National Lottery retailers can pay you in store. Some retailers also pay amounts between £100 and £500, although this depends on the cash they hold and their store policy. Prizes above £500 are usually claimed by submitting a form and posting the ticket, or by arranging an appointment at a regional centre.
When a retailer scans your ticket, the system confirms instantly whether the prize is valid and the amount due. If a top prize has been revealed, the terminal will print instructions with the details you need to complete the claim process.
If you want to check the game status before handing over your ticket, the official website and app show whether top prizes are still unclaimed and when that information was last updated. Very occasionally the website timing and your ticket do not line up, which can cause confusion.
What If A Winning Ticket Shows No Remaining Prizes Online?
It can happen that you reveal a win and then notice the website lists no top prizes remaining. In many cases, that simply means you have a lower-tier win, which remains valid while the game is still open for claims.
If the symbols suggest a large amount, have the ticket scanned by a retailer. Update delays mean a genuine winning ticket can be sold shortly before the numbers online change. The scan gives you a definitive answer and, for major wins, next steps to follow.
Some games are withdrawn from sale once all major prizes have been claimed. When that happens, there is a clear deadline for final claims. The game’s page and in-store notices show the cut-off date, so it is worth checking to avoid missing out.
Retailers can clear this up for single tickets, though their view is limited.
Can Retailers Verify Remaining Wins For Me?
Retailers can validate individual tickets but do not track how many prizes are left across a game. Their terminal confirms whether your card has won and, if so, the amount to be paid or how to proceed.
For game-wide information about remaining prizes, the most current picture sits on the official website and app. Leaflets and posters in shops can be helpful summaries, but they are not always updated as quickly as the online sources.
If anything still looks off, it is worth raising it.
Who To Contact If Prize Details Seem Incorrect
If you spot a discrepancy, such as outdated figures or conflicting information between a poster and the website, contact the National Lottery customer care team. They can be reached on 0333 234 50 50, and there is also an online contact form on the official site for queries and reports.
You can use the National Lottery’s social media accounts for general questions, but avoid sharing personal or ticket details in public comments. If your concern involves retailer conduct, the Gambling Commission provides guidance on reporting issues at gamblingcommission.gov.uk.
Keep any relevant scratch cards, receipts, or screenshots until the matter is resolved, in case you are asked for references.
If you are worried about your gambling, support is available at BeGambleAware.org or by calling the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
With the right sources and timely checks, it is straightforward to see what is left on a game and to claim any prizes within the required time.
**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.