Have you ever looked at your inbox and wondered if that email saying you’ve won the EuroMillions is real? You’re not alone.
Big-win emails can sound exciting, but scams are common. Knowing how genuine notifications work in the UK makes it much easier to tell the difference.
Below, you’ll find how real winners are contacted, what official emails look like, when they arrive, and the simple checks that help you spot the real thing and keep your details safe.
Do I Get An Email If I Win EuroMillions?
If you enter EuroMillions online through the official National Lottery website or app and win a prize, you will receive an email notification. This message will simply say that there is “good news about your ticket” or a similar phrase. It will not mention the amount you have won.
The email directs you to log in to your National Lottery account. Once you sign in, you’ll see full details of any prize. The National Lottery does not send prize amounts by email and will not ask for passwords, bank details, or fees.
If you play in a shop and buy a physical ticket, you will not get an email. You’ll need to check your ticket yourself using the website, the app, in a shop, or against the results shown on TV or in newspapers. If you receive an email claiming a big win but you did not play online, it is not from The National Lottery.
Prefer buying in a shop? Here is how it works when your ticket is on paper.
How Are Winners Notified If They Bought A Paper Ticket?
If you buy your EuroMillions ticket in a shop, the ticket is everything. There are no emails or texts, so you’re responsible for checking if you have won.
After the draw, you can check your numbers on the National Lottery website or app, on television, or in newspapers. Retailers can also scan your ticket to confirm whether it’s a winner. For smaller prizes, many shops can pay you in cash there and then. For larger amounts, retailers provide a claim form or direct you to contact the National Lottery claims team for next steps.
Keep your paper ticket safe and in good condition. It is your proof if you have matched the winning numbers and need to make a claim before the deadline.
If you play online instead, timing comes into play.
When Are Winning Emails Sent After The Draw?
If you’ve played EuroMillions online, notifications about wins typically arrive the morning after the draw. EuroMillions draws take place every Tuesday and Friday evening, usually around 8:45pm UK time.
Once the draw finishes and tickets are checked, emails begin to go out in the early hours. In most cases, you can expect a “good news” email by mid-morning the following day. If nothing lands first thing, keep an eye on your inbox later in the day.
As mentioned earlier, the email is a prompt to sign in to your account to see the result in full.
Wondering what the email itself should look like? Here’s what to expect from a genuine message.
What Details Will An Official Winning Email Contain?
Official emails from The National Lottery are clear and brief. The subject line usually hints at “news” about your ticket rather than stating a specific prize. The body of the email will ask you to log in to your secure National Lottery account to view the details. It does not reveal the amount you have won or request personal information.
Genuine messages come from an address ending in @national-lottery.co.uk, and any links lead to the official website. If anything in the email asks you to share bank details, pay a fee, or reply with passwords, it is not legitimate.
Still unsure? A few simple checks can confirm whether it is the real thing.
How Can I Verify A EuroMillions Winning Email Is Genuine?
Start by checking the sender. Authentic notifications come from an address ending in “@national-lottery.co.uk”. Be wary of misspellings or extra characters.
Consider what the email asks you to do. The National Lottery will not ask for bank details, payment, or passwords by email. The only action should be to log in to your account in the usual way.
If you have any doubts, avoid clicking links in the message. Instead, type the official website address into your browser and sign in from there. Genuine notifications do not use urgent language, do not pressure you to reply, and do not disclose prize amounts in the email itself.
Once you know a message is genuine, the next question is what happens to your prize.
Claiming Your Prize After An Email Notification
When you receive an official email with good news, log in to your National Lottery account to see your result and what happens next.
For online wins up to £500, prizes are usually paid straight into your National Lottery account automatically. Larger amounts are typically sent by bank transfer to a verified account, and you may need to confirm or provide details within your secure account. For very large or top-tier wins, you will be guided to contact the National Lottery claims team, who will arrange a secure and straightforward process.
At no point will you be asked to pay fees or share sensitive information by email. Everything is handled either within your account or with a verified National Lottery representative. If anything about a message feels off, it is worth reporting it.
How Do I Report A Suspicious Winning Email?
If you get an email about a EuroMillions win that you suspect isn’t genuine, do not click any links and do not reply.
Forward the message to the National Lottery’s security team at security@national-lottery.co.uk so they can check it. You can also forward it to the National Cyber Security Centre at report@phishing.gov.uk, which helps them identify and take down scams. After reporting, delete the email from your inbox.
If you want extra guidance, Citizens Advice can help you decide what to do next. Knowing what to expect, and sticking to official channels, makes it much easier to separate genuine EuroMillions notifications from the rest.
