When National Lottery held its Lotto draw number 3,105United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the lottery jackpot didn’t fall into anyone’s pocket. Instead, the £5,029,330 prize rolled over to the next draw, leaving 779,294 ticket‑holders with smaller wins and a hefty dose of ‘maybe next time.’ The simultaneous Thunderball draw added another layer of excitement, but even that top prize of £500,000 remained unclaimed.
Why this draw mattered
The UK Lotto’s jackpot had been climbing for three weeks, touching the £5 million mark for the first time since the 2022 surge. When a rollover hits the five‑figure‑million range, it usually ignites a wave of ticket sales, and this draw was no exception. Retailers reported a 12 % uptick in sales the day before the draw, and the National Lottery’s app saw record‑high traffic spikes as players checked their numbers in real time.
Breakdown of the Lotto results
The winning numbers were 3, 16, 23, 30, 38, 47 with a bonus ball of 25. No ticket matched all six numbers, and the £1 million second‑tier prize also went unclaimed because no one hit five numbers plus the bonus.
- 61 tickets matched five numbers – each pocketed £1,750 (£106,750 total).
- 3,961 tickets matched four numbers – £140 each (£554,540 total).
- 82,388 tickets matched three numbers – £30 each (£2,471,640 total).
- 692,884 tickets matched two numbers – free ticket for the next draw.
All in all, £3,132,930 was paid out across the prize tiers, while the £5,029,330 jackpot stacked up for the next Wednesday’s draw.
Thunderball draw – another chance at a half‑million
The Thunderball draw, also conducted on September 24, took place under the watchful eye of an independent adjudicator. The main numbers were 1, 6, 24, 36, 37 and the Thunderball was 5. Although the top prize of £500,000 is only a £1 ticket, it also rolled over. Players can still claim the lower‑tier prizes ranging from £25 for matching the Thunderball alone to £5,000 for five numbers plus the Thunderball.
International draws on the same day
Across the Atlantic, the New York Lottery ran its own Lotto draw on the same date. The numbers—1, 6, 27, 47, 53, 56 with bonus 41—failed to produce a jackpot winner, sending the $4 million pot to the next drawing. A total of 9,312 winners shared smaller payouts, including eight tickets that hit five numbers for $1,217 each.
Meanwhile, in Johannesburg, the South Africa National Lottery announced draw number 2,579. The winning line‑up—16, 23, 32, 42, 49, 58 with bonus 55—also rolled over, keeping the R3 million jackpot alive. Over 170,000 tickets claimed prizes, with the biggest single‑tier win being a R11,214.40 payout to eight players who matched five numbers.
What the numbers tell us
Statistically, the odds of nailing the UK Lotto jackpot sit at 1 in 45 million, while Thunderball’s top prize odds are 1 in 21 million. Those long odds mean rollovers are common, but each time the pot grows, it also fuels a psychological boost—players start to feel the odds are finally in their favor. That effect was evident in the surge of ticket sales in both the UK and New York, where sales volumes jumped roughly 10 % compared with the previous draw.
From a revenue perspective, the National Lottery reported that the combined turnover for Lotto and Thunderball on September 24 topped £40 million, a figure that helped fund good causes across the UK, from sports grassroots to heritage projects.
Responsible gaming remains front‑and‑center
The organisation continues to push its “healthy play” toolkit. Players can set daily or weekly spend limits, opt for a “take‑a‑break” period, or receive reminder emails when they’ve been playing for a set number of days. The toolkit is prominently featured on the National Lottery website and within the mobile app, ensuring even the most enthusiastic ticket‑buyers stay in control.
What’s next for the jackpot?
With the £5,029,330 jackpot now back on the table, the next draw on September 30 is expected to attract even more participants. Analysts at betting firm OddsCheck predict ticket sales could rise another 15 % if the marketing push continues. Keep an eye on the National Lottery’s social channels; they’ll be teasing the upcoming draw’s “biggest ever night” tagline early next week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the UK Lotto jackpot rollover work?
If no ticket matches all six numbers, the entire jackpot amount is added to the next draw’s prize pool. The rollover continues until a winner is found, and each subsequent draw’s jackpot includes the previous rollovers plus any new ticket‑sale revenue.
Who is eligible to play the UK Lotto and Thunderball?
Players must be at least 18 years old and physically located in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man. Purchases can be made through authorised retailers, the National Lottery website, or the official mobile app.
What are the odds of winning the top prize in Lotto versus Thunderball?
The odds of hitting the Lotto jackpot are about 1 in 45 million, while the Thunderball’s £500,000 top‑prize odds sit at roughly 1 in 21 million. Both games also offer several lower‑tier prizes with much better chances.
How much of the Lotto proceeds go to good causes?
Approximately 53 % of each pound spent on Lotto is allocated to charitable projects, including sports, arts, heritage, and community initiatives across the UK.
Will the New York and South African lotteries also roll over their jackpots?
Yes. Both the New York Lottery’s $4 million jackpot and South Africa’s R3 million jackpot rolled over after no top‑prize winners were recorded on September 24, 2025. The amounts will be added to the next respective draws.
