Lotto Changes

[saintpeter48]

I see in the news that as from next week the Lotto is changing from 49 to 59 numbers, I am going abroad on Sunday and normally buy my tickets online to cover me for the period that i'm away, but the site will only allow me to purchase a ticket for this coming weeks draw, how can I buy tickets for any subsequent draws that i'm away, as it prevents you buying online if you are abroad! Any advice much appreciated, thanks.

[murraymints]

get a friend or neighbour to do it for you !

[Old_Geezer]

How far in advance can you buy at the shop ?
Do you have a trusted family member who can buy your ticket whilst you are away ?

Worst comes to worst you can console yourself with the thought that more numbers means less chance of a jackpot and more likelihood of it rolling over for you for when you return.

[New Judge]

If I were you I'd save my money.

The National lottery advertises this change as an "opportunity" for their punters as they now have more numbers to choose from. In fact it has increased the odds against picking 6matching numbers more than threefold from just under 14 million to one to over 45 million to one. It is true they are making changes to the minor prizes which improve the odds (though how many people enter the lottery with the aim of winning a tenner?) It is also true that they are introducing a "millionaire raffle" for each draw. But the odds against winning the jackpot are now so phenomenally long that it's plainly ridiculous.

[saintpeter48]

Agree New Judge ...... my gripe is, and i've just spoken to a Camelot rep about it, is that I've been playing the same numbers since the lottery began and for the next 3 weeks I cannot play these numbers because of the changes, you cannot buy lotto tickets for more than the next week and if you're out of the country you cannot buy them, and do I trust someone to do it for me while i'm away, will they give me the winning ticket to a £5 million win, fingers crossed my numbers won't come up in the next couple of weeks, Camelot obviosly haven't thought it through!!

[dave50]

Have been in a syndicate at work with varying members between around 50 and 100 people ever since it started and never been anywhere near winning the jackpot. Cost me a fortune over the years. It just goes to show how little chance you have of winning. However I wouldn't dare pull out now as you never know!

[Ellipsis]

For those who use the same six numbers every week, the switch to 59 numbers is the perfect time to pull out as the game has been changed.

[Cloverjo]

I used to do the Lotto. When I stopped I wasn't worried about my numbers coming up; I just didn't look to see what the winning ones were.

[ummmm]

On line you can buy tickets for 4 weeks.

[Robinia]

It only gives me the option to buy one week online ummmm.

[Buenchico]

>>>how many people enter the lottery with the aim of winning a tenner?

Given that the minimum prize is currently £25, I assume that the answer to that question is 'None'!

[Buenchico]

^^^Oops! I've just remembered that you can actually win less than £25 if you get four numbers and lots of other people do too (as happened a couple of months ago, when only £21 was paid for 4 numbers) but I still doubt that it could go as low as a tenner!

[New Judge]

Yes, I think they have restricted the number of weeks until the changes. A panel on the online entry form says "Lotto is changing. The number of weeks you wish to play may be affected"

[agchristie]

I wonder if the New Football Pools also will move back to 58 numbers. The Irish lotto has just recently moved to 47 numbers.

[Sam1960]

Here's the new rules to the "lotto changes". The rollover limit makes good reading..... !! Looks like they make it up as they go along ... ? I'll stick to playing the Irish Lottery in the bookies thank you ;o) And the occasional punt on the bookies "49's" Which has a fixed prize for your stake.

https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/lotto-changes

[cazza247]

There is no way round it unless you let someone put it on for you. When the Irish lottery changed in our betting shops on 5th sep it was the same scenario as a lot of my customers put it on 3 and 4 weeks at a time.it caused a great deal of unhappy folk but okay now