Further in the article, you will get familiar with the National Lottery bonus ball and every detail around it. That includes statistics on which numbers are most commonly drawn and how that brings British players closer to the tasty prizes. We will explain what this extra ball is for and why it is not in the lottery cards.
National Lottery Bonus Ball – How It Works
There is an incredible multimillion-pound jackpot at every draw at the best lottery sites for anyone who can match all six main numbers. Still, many British players are unsure about the role that the bonus ball plays. It is pretty simple, actually – that extra ball allows you to increase the size of your prize in case you miss out on the jackpot by a single number. See how the process evolves in several steps below:
| ➤ Step 1: | Pick the numbers on your lotto ticket. |
| ➤ Step 2: | Decide for six numbers. |
| ➤ Step 3: | Wait for the draw and see how many you match. |
| ➤ Step 4: | In case you got five of the main numbers, wait for the bonus ball. |
| ➤ Step 5: | If the bonus ball is drawn as the sixth number, you will receive the ‘Match 5 + Bonus’ prize. |
Keep in mind that regardless of the numbers you pick, the lottery bonus ball results in winnings just if you have matched five of the main numbers. Players in the UK will not be able to win prizes for ‘Match 4 + Bonus’, ‘Match 3 + Bonus’, and so on. Basically, anything different from ‘Match 5 + Bonus’. The ideal situation is to match all six main numbers for the jackpot. Doing so will most likely instantly put you in the list of the biggest lotto wins.
Lottery Bonus Ball Stat – Odds and Prizes
The difference in the lottery bonus ball stat comes from the odds of matching five main numbers and five main numbers plus the extra ball. The odds for just five main numbers are 1 in 144,415, and five plus the bonus ball are 1 in 7,509,579. The lottery bonus ball gives British players who have matched five of the six main numbers a chance to win an even better prize. We show that in the table below, but just for the statistics – no bonus ball lottery brings £1,750, while with it, UK players can win £1 million.
| Match Category | Prize | Main Numbers Match | Total Number Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💰 Match 6 Numbers | Jackpot | 6 | 6 |
| 🎁 Match 5 + Bonus Ball | £1 Million | 5 | 6 |
| 🏅 Match 5 Numbers | £1,750 | 5 | 5 |
| 🏅 Match 4 Numbers | £140 | 4 | 4 |
| 🏅 Match 3 Numbers | £30 | 3 | 3 |
| 🏅 Match 2 Numbers | Free Lucky Dip | 2 | 2 |
To sum up the information from the table, both of the top two prizes require you to match six numbers on your ticket. However, the lottery bonus ball only comes into play for one of those—none of the other prize tiers. When the ‘Match 5 + Bonus’ tier has longer odds, far fewer British players might win in this category. The lottery statistics play a considerable role and relate to your gaming experience, shaping the chances you have of winning. That is true for every type of lottery.
Lottery Bonus Ball Results – The Bonus Ball and the Lotto Ticket
British players need to purchase an entry ticket to participate in the lottery prizes. Once you get the entry paper, you will also get to choose six numbers. The lottery bonus ball is not among these numbers, as it is drawn if one of your choices does not match. In other words – it comes into play if you have met five of the six main numbers. That is the same for all entries, whether you play in-store, online or at the best lottery app in the UK. That is also the case for one draw or weeks in advance.
It is unnecessary to select the seventh number on your ticket as the lottery bonus ball results in a draw from the 53 numbers left in the machine. That is done after the six main numbers have come out. Be aware that the same number cannot appear twice in one draw. That way your chances of winning the lottery remain fair and equal.
Lottery Bonus Ball History – The Balls Drawn the Most
The ticket sales decrease in 2002 shook the National Lottery a bit, but they managed to recover, and the six numbered balls draw without replacement became very popular. They added the bonus ball as well. Nowadays, the national lottery bonus ball history helps different clubs and lotteries to keep score of the most drawn extra numbers. Since 2019 the most drawn bonus ball lottery numbers are 8, 38, 31, 45, 37, 50, 14, 42, 12, 19, 3, 5, and 11. Keep in mind that all results are kept available for the audience roughly six months after the draw date.
Lotto Bonus Ball – Key Facts
This section combines the main aspects of the bonus ball and how it appears in the lottery world. The main idea is the same regardless of the game, with some twists. To make your research easier, read the key facts regarding the lotto bonus ball and be informed for the next draw.
- ☝️ Fact 1 – Only if you match five of the main numbers, the extra ball will be relevant.
- 💰 Fact 2 – Matching five plus the bonus ball lottery wins you £1 million.
- ✅ Fact 3 – You don’t get a bonus ball on your ticket because you don’t pick it to play.
- ⭐ Fact 4 – It’s drawn from the 53 numbers remaining after the six main numbers
In case there is more than one winner of the bonus ball lottery, regardless of the Thunderball presence or not, the prize is split among the lucky UK players. When nobody lays hands on the award, a.k.a. there are no numbers guessed, the jackpot prize is carried over to the next draw.
Bonus Ball Lottery – Charities
For starters, each lottery in the UK gives a big chunk of the lotto earnings for numerous initiatives all over the country. On the other hand, the lottery bonus ball, in particular, is used by multiple organisations to raise funds for various charities. Some UK clubs use the money bet on the Thunderball to help animals, people in need, society and many more. The main idea is as follows – there is a pot collecting money bet by members on which the bonus ball will be. That way, additional money is raised apart from the national lottery prizes.
There are loads of charitable gambling events with interesting nature and locations. Each step related to the organisation and execution of such events is done according to the local laws. If you want to participate aside from the National Lottery tickets and bonus balls, there are other games with charitable nature. Regardless of the game you pick, get familiar with the legal requirements.
Lottery Bonus Ball History FAQ
We hope that you found out what you need about the bonus ball and why it is not in the lottery tickets for you to pick. If there is still anything you need to know on the matter, check the following section filled with answers to the most common questions asked by British players.