Every EuroMillions line bought in the UK helps fund National Lottery good causes. Together, National Lottery players raise more than £30 million every week for projects in the arts, sport, heritage and local communities, and the total passed £50 billion in November 2024, 30 years after the first National Lottery draw.
Where a £2.50 line goes
On average about £1.10 of each £2.50 line comes back as prizes, and the rest is shared between National Lottery good causes, Lottery Duty, retailers' commission and the cost of running the game: the full breakdown is in EuroMillions odds.
Who hands out the money
The National Lottery doesn't choose the projects itself. The money is split by law: 20% each for the arts, sport and heritage, and 40% for health, education, the environment and charitable causes, through The National Lottery Community Fund.
It's passed to twelve independent organisations, each responsible for its own area, some for the whole UK and others for one nation, and each running its own grant programmes:
- Arts and film: Arts Council England, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Creative Scotland and the British Film Institute.
- Heritage: The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
- Communities and charities: The National Lottery Community Fund.
- Sport: UK Sport, Sport England, sportscotland, Sport Wales and Sport Northern Ireland.
What the money pays for
By November 2024 National Lottery funding had supported more than 700,000 projects across community, heritage, sport and the arts, from village halls and local sports clubs to museums, historic buildings and elite athletes. The National Lottery says every postcode in the country has benefited.
Places that have benefited include Bletchley Park, London Zoo, the Eden Project, the Tower of London and Cardiff Castle.
You can look up projects near you, and read about the money raised, at lotterygoodcauses.org.uk.
Unclaimed prizes go to good causes too
Prizes that aren't claimed within 180 days of the draw are forfeited, and the money goes to National Lottery good causes. The biggest example is a £63.8 million EuroMillions jackpot from June 2012 that was never claimed; it all went to good causes. It's a good reason to check every ticket, but not a reason to leave a win unclaimed: see how to claim a EuroMillions prize.
Money raised in the UK stays in the UK
EuroMillions shares its prize fund across nine countries, but not its good-cause money. What UK players raise funds UK projects; in each of the other eight countries, the national lottery passes its own proceeds on in its own way, whether to charities, sport and culture or to the state.
Good causes aren't a reason to spend more
It's good to know your ticket does some good, but it's still gambling: set your budget as you would for any other game. If supporting a cause is what matters most to you, giving to it directly means all of your money reaches it. For help keeping your play in check, see responsible gambling.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my EuroMillions ticket goes to good causes?
It varies, because it depends on how much is paid out in prizes. Across all its games, The National Lottery raises more than £30 million a week for good causes.
Who decides which projects get National Lottery funding?
Twelve independent organisations, such as Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund and Sport England, each running its own grant programmes.
What happens to unclaimed EuroMillions prizes?
After 180 days they're forfeited and the money goes to National Lottery good causes.
Does money from UK tickets fund projects in other countries?
Prize money is pooled across the nine EuroMillions countries, but good-cause money isn't: what UK players raise funds projects in the UK.
Last reviewed: . Independent information: official results are published by the lottery that runs the game.