A lottery player has forfeited a staggering £10.6 million jackpot after failing to claim their prize within the 180-day deadline. The winning Lotto ticket, worth £10,633,323, went unclaimed following an extensive search by the National Lottery operator Allwyn. With last Thursday’s cut-off now passed, the substantial prize money will instead be donated to good causes supported by the National Lottery.
Why it matters: The unclaimed jackpot highlights the importance of claiming lottery prizes on time. Such large sums typically attract attention, making it unusual for a prize of this size to go unclaimed.
The winning ticket was purchased in Bexley, southeast London, for the October 4, 2025, draw.
National Lottery players have 180 days to claim their winnings, a rule that ensures timely distribution of funds.
Andy Carter, senior winners’ adviser at Allwyn, emphasized that it’s rare for such a large prize to remain unclaimed.
Driving the news: The deadline for claiming the jackpot expired at midnight on April 2, 2026, without any valid claims made. The unclaimed prize will now benefit various charitable projects funded by the National Lottery.
Allwyn conducted an extensive search for the mystery winner, utilizing media and public outreach to encourage claims.
As the deadline passed, Allwyn confirmed that no one came forward to claim the life-changing sum.
The jackpot money will add to the £33 million raised weekly for National Lottery-funded projects across the UK.
State of play: Currently, there are five major National Lottery prizes worth over £3.2 million yet to be claimed, including three tickets valued at £1 million each from EuroMillions or Lotto draws.
The National Lottery has paid out more than £103 billion in total prize money since its inception in 1994.
Over 680,000 projects have been supported nationwide, funded by the contributions of lottery players.
In Bexley, several community projects have benefited from lottery funding, including arts organizations and disability support services.
The big picture: The unclaimed jackpot serves as a reminder for players to keep their tickets safe and check them regularly. Many players might not realize they have won until it’s too late.
According to Allwyn, the majority of unclaimed prizes are smaller tier amounts, making this incident particularly notable.
Players are encouraged to check old tickets, especially since multiple high-value prizes remain unclaimed.
The National Lottery continues to support numerous charitable initiatives, particularly in areas where tickets are sold.
What they're saying: Officials have expressed disappointment over the missed claim, stressing the significance of the funds for local charities.
“The money will now benefit good causes and add to the £33 million raised each week for National Lottery-funded projects,” Carter said.
A spokesperson for Allwyn noted, “It’s very unusual for a prize of this size not to be claimed.”
Community leaders in Bexley have welcomed the news that the funds will be redirected to local projects.
By the numbers: The winning Lotto numbers from the October 4 draw were 07, 16, 23, 27, 35, 40, with a bonus number of 48.
No players matched all six main numbers for the jackpot, with one player winning £1 million by matching five numbers and the bonus ball.
A total of 56 players each won £1,750 after matching five of the six numbers drawn.
Saturday’s Lotto jackpot is estimated at £3.9 million after no winner claimed the previous draw’s top prize.
What's next: Players are urged to keep their tickets safe and check them regularly, especially as several major prizes remain unclaimed.
The National Lottery will continue its efforts to locate winners of unclaimed prizes through public announcements and media coverage.
With the next draw approaching, players are reminded of the life-changing potential of the lottery.
Community projects in Bexley and beyond will benefit from the redirected funds, emphasizing the lottery's role in supporting local initiatives.