UK National Lottery online in France

[fergusmca]

Is it legal to play the UK National Lottery online in France? I am a UK citizen on holiday here.

[redcrx]

well its too late for tonights draw

[Meg]

You used to be able to buy tickets online in most places but now a message comes up saying something like they know you are outside the UK and may not be eligible to claim any prize won.

[Prudie]

Lottery Uk says not to risk it:

What countries outside the UK and Isle of Man can I play from?
Local laws in any specific country are a matter for the authorities in those countries, not Camelot, and are subject to change. For this reason, and because there are almost 200 countries in the world, we cannot provide specific country-by-country advice.

Because we don't want anyone to miss out on a prize, we strongly advise people that, while they are travelling abroad, they should assume that it is unlawful for them to buy tickets for the UK National Lottery — and to only buy their tickets while they are in the UK or Isle of Man.

[Buenchico]

As France was one of the three nations to launch the Euromillions lottery it's extremely unlikely that they've got any laws against participating in international lotteries and, as Prudies quote indirectly indicates, it's not against UK law, so I can't see that you'd have any problems.

For far more fun though, just go into any 'locals' bar in the back streets of Paris (or elsewhere) and join in their own national lottery, which is shown on special screens in bars and is drawn every 20 minutes!

Chris

[fadeout73]

Here's a piece from their Website:-

I am outside of the UK and Isle of Man and I want to play National Lottery games online and by text — what should I do?

If you are not physically in the UK or Isle of Man, or in a country where it is not lawful to play the UK National Lottery, you should not continue.

To play UK National Lottery games online and by text, you must be a resident of the UK or Isle of Man at all times, and you must also only play in a country where it is lawful to do so. This is because, in many countries, local laws prevent the sale or purchase of tickets for any overseas lottery, including the UK National Lottery, which is not authorised there.

If you do not meet these requirements, any ticket purchases you make may be declared invalid and no prizes paid, and we will have the right to reclaim any prizes already paid under these circumstances.

If you simply want to check your Account and not purchase tickets, please select the 'Accept' button to continue.

To ensure all of our players are treated fairly and consistently, the playing of UK National Lottery games in any country where it is unlawful to do so is prohibited under our Games Rules and Terms and Conditions. You agree to these when you register to play the UK National Lottery online and by text.

If you are travelling for a short period, you can buy your tickets in advance — for up to eight weeks for Lotto, four weeks for EuroMillions and one week for Daily Play. Alternatively, you may wish to play National Lottery games by Direct Debit. Please note that you must only set up the Account when you are physically located in the UK or Isle of Man and must not buy additional tickets or change your regular numbers while you are in a country where the playing of an overseas lottery is not authorised. If you need any assistance in setting this up, please refer to our Direct Debit Information."

[Vagrant]

Regardless of the above, in the (unlikely) event that you bought a jackpot-winning ticket online in France, it would be difficult if not impossible for National Lottery to prove where you were when you bought the ticket.

[fadeout73]

Another piece from their Website:-

Why do you think that I am playing the UK National Lottery from outside the UK and Isle of Man?
The location software we use has identified that you are accessing the National Lottery website from either a connection outside of the UK and Isle of Man or from an unknown connection.

Alternatively, if you are accessing the National Lottery website from a mobile device you may see this message each time you try to play National Lottery games or to sign in to your Account even though you are in the UK or Isle of Man. This will be because your browser does not specify your actual location. However, if you are physically located in the UK or Isle of Man, click the 'Accept' button to continue.