Frequently asked questions

Use the FAQs below if you play our Weekly Lottery by subscription, either paying by Direct Debit or regular cheque or card payment. 

Your numbers

What are my numbers? 

Your numbers will have been sent to you by email (or letter if you didn’t provide an email address) soon after you signed up. 

If you want a reminder of your numbers simply email your request to weeklylottery@cancer.org.uk . Be sure to include full name and postcode so that we can find your record. 

You can also call our Lottery Helpline on 0300 123 3019 (lines open Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm).

Do my numbers stay the same every week? 

Your numbers are yours for as long as you continue to play the Weekly Lottery. They will be entered into every draw so long as you continue to pay for entries. 

What do the numbers look like? 

All Weekly Lottery numbers are six digits long (e.g. 123456). We changed the format of the numbers in Summer 2019 to make things easier for everyone. 

If you were playing before Summer 2019 and don’t have record of your new format numbers, just email weeklylottery@cancer.org.uk and we’ll send you a reminder. Be sure to include full name and postcode so that we can find your record.

Don’t worry though, if you’ve been paying for the Weekly Lottery you’ll have been entered into the draws with no change to your chances of winning. 
 

The draws

How do I know if I’ve won? 

Sit back and relax. We’ll email you if you win. If we don’t have your email address, we’ll send you a letter. 

You can also check the results of each draw online from 5pm on the day of the draw. 

How are prizes paid? 

Prizes will be paid straight into the bank account that your entries are paid from. You don’t need to do anything. 

I have won but haven’t received my winnings, what should I do? 

If you haven’t received your winnings within 28 days of the draw please call the Lottery Helpline on 0300 123 3019 (lines open Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm).

When do draws take place?

The draws are held every week on a Friday, except when a Friday falls on a bank holiday in England, in which case the draw will be held on the next working day.

Payment

Why does my Direct Debit amount change from month to month? 

Direct Debit amounts will change based on the number of Fridays in each month and the number of weekly entries you choose. 
Most months contain either 4 or 5 Fridays, so if you pay for one entry a week your Direct Debit will be either £4 or £5. 

Admin

How can I check that you have received my entry?

No matter how you sign up we’ll get in touch in the next few days with a welcome email or letter (depending on whether you opted in to email contact). In this we’ll include your lottery numbers and payment schedule.
If you signed up by talking to one of our fundraisers this process may take a little longer.

I haven’t received my welcome letter or email, what should I do?

If you haven’t received your welcome letter or email within 2 weeks of signing up please email weeklylottery@cancer.org.uk or contact the Lottery Helpline on 0300 123 3019 (lines open Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm). We’ll be happy to sort it out for you.

My details have changed, who should I contact?

Please contact the Lottery Helpline on 0300 123 3019, (lines open Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm).
 

What are the prizes?

There are 500 great prizes up for grabs in every Weekly Lottery draw.
•    Jackpot - £1,000
•    2nd prize - £250
•    3rd prize - £100 (x3)
•    4th prize - £10 (x45)
•    Runners up - £5 (x450)

And what’s even better is that while you play the Weekly Lottery you’ll also be entered into our Superdraw three times a year, for the chance to win £15,000.

What are the entry requirements for the Lottery?

You must be 18 years old or over and live in Great Britain to enter the Weekly Lottery or to claim a prize.

Full terms and conditions apply and are available online or by calling the Lottery Helpline on 0300 123 3019 to request a copy by post.

How is this Weekly Lottery regulated?

Cancer Research UK is licensed and regulated in Great Britain by the Gambling Commission under account number 5026.

What is Cancer Research UK's Social Responsibility Commitment?

Cancer Research UK's Social Responsibility Commitment explains our commitment to responsible gambling.

How are the draws conducted?

The draws are conducted by our external lottery manager (“ELM”). They use a random number generator software (tested and approved by a Gambling Commission certified test house) to produce the winning numbers for each weekly draw.

What are my chances of winning? 

Your chances of winning depend on the number of entries, which changes from draw to draw depending on how many entries there are, and on the number of prizes (500 per draw). Using average entry levels from 2023 as a guide, we estimate that each entry has a 1 in 171 chance of winning in a Weekly Lottery draw, and 1 in 218 per entry in a Superdraw.

How are prizes allocated?

Prizes will be awarded in order of selection (the first number drawn will be awarded the jackpot prize, the second number drawn will receive 2nd prize, and so on). Your chances of winning are dependent on the number of entries in the draw.
 

How are the proceeds of the Weekly Lottery and Superdraw used? 

We use the proceeds of the Weekly Lottery to support our life saving work, pay prizes, and invest some back into the lottery to run it so that we can raise even more money. In 2023 we raised £4.5 million from the sale of entries to our Weekly Lottery. 52% of these proceeds were used to help support our vital work. We used 42% to run and administer our Weekly Lottery and 6% to pay prizes.