The National Lottery Lotto draw on July 18 carries a jackpot of £9.5 million that must be won, as it has rolled over five times. Under Lotto rules, after the fifth rollover without a jackpot winner, the entire prize must be awarded in the following draw. If no ticket matches all six numbers, a rolldown occurs, distributing the jackpot among all other prize winners. The draw takes place at 8pm, followed by the Thunderball draw at 8.15pm, which offers a separate £500,000 jackpot.
How the Rolldown Works
The mandatory win condition means that the £9.5 million cannot roll over again. If there is no jackpot winner, the money is shared among players who match at least three numbers, boosting lower-tier prizes significantly. This mechanism is designed to ensure the jackpot is paid out, preventing indefinite rollovers.
Thunderball Draw Details
The Thunderball draw, scheduled for 8.15pm, offers a top prize of £500,000. Players choose five main numbers from 1 to 39 and one Thunderball number from 1 to 14. The draw is independent of the Lotto, giving players a second chance to win a substantial sum.
According to the National Lottery, ticket sales close at 7.30pm on draw days. Players are encouraged to check their tickets after the results are announced. The live blog format provided real-time updates, but the key facts remain: the Lotto jackpot must be won tonight, and the Thunderball offers a half-million-pound prize.
