If you’ve watched People’s Postcode Lottery draws, seen winners on TV, or read stories online, you may have wondered how many postcodes are actually included.
Participation is subject to age and residency requirements, and other eligibility criteria. Buying a ticket does not guarantee a prize, and your chances depend on how the draw is structured and how many tickets and postcodes are entered.
Below, you’ll find how many postcodes are involved, who can enter, and how winners are selected. You’ll also see what happens when several tickets share the same postcode, and how prizes are split fairly and transparently.
How Many Postcodes Are Included In People’s Postcode Lottery?
People’s Postcode Lottery uses the same full postcodes found on letters and parcels across the UK. Each ticket is linked to a complete postcode such as “SW1A 1AA,” which points to a specific group of addresses on a street.
Not every postcode in the country is included in a draw. Only postcodes with at least one active ticket for that draw are eligible. If no one in your postcode has bought a ticket, that postcode is not in play.
There are over 1.8 million unique full postcodes in the UK, but the number involved in any draw depends entirely on where people have tickets at that time. Some postcodes appear often because residents play regularly, while others are only included when someone signs up.
So, if inclusion depends on where you live, can anyone choose any postcode to enter with?
Can I Enter Any Postcode In The People’s Postcode Lottery?
You can only enter with the residential postcode where you actually live and receive post. When you join, your details are checked to confirm that your address and postcode match. This keeps entries fair because prizes are awarded to real communities, not to picked-out areas.
You cannot enter using a different postcode, even if it has been a winner before. The lottery is open to most residential addresses across Great Britain, and you must be 18 or over with a valid UK bank account. Business or commercial postcodes are not accepted.
If you move, update your details so your ticket follows you to your new home. Your entry is always tied to your current full residential postcode, not to any previous address.
How Are Winners Selected By Postcode?
Each draw uses a computer system to randomly select from all eligible tickets for that draw. Because every ticket is linked to a full postcode, the system is effectively choosing from real postcodes where at least one person holds a ticket.
Independent judges oversee the process for fairness. If your full postcode is drawn and you have a valid ticket, you win the prize for that draw. When more than one person in the same postcode holds a ticket, neighbours can win together.
Prize types vary by draw. Sometimes the largest award goes to a single full postcode, with other prizes allocated to surrounding areas or wider regions. Your ticket always stays connected to the same fixed postcode you registered.
Want to see whether your area has featured recently? Checking results is quick.
How Do I Check If My Postcode Has Won?
After each draw, winning postcodes are published on the official People’s Postcode Lottery website. You can enter your full postcode on the results page to see whether it has won in recent draws.
If your postcode appears and you have a ticket, winners are contacted directly and standard cash prizes are paid automatically to the bank account on file. You can also choose to receive results by email or post through your account settings, but online updates are usually the fastest.
If you share a postcode with other players, you might all find yourselves checking the same results page on the same day.
What Happens If Multiple Tickets Share The Same Postcode?
When several people in the same postcode have tickets, each ticket is eligible for the prize if that postcode wins. The prize is not split between households. Instead, the full advertised amount is paid for every ticket in that winning postcode.
For example, if three neighbours each hold one ticket for the same postcode and that postcode is drawn, each of them receives the full prize amount. Someone with two tickets at that postcode would receive twice the prize.
How Are Prizes Paid For Postcode Wins?
For standard cash prizes, there is nothing extra to claim. Winners are usually contacted directly and payment is made by bank transfer to the account used when signing up. If you hold more than one ticket for a winning postcode, payments reflect the number of tickets you have.
Larger prizes may be arranged in person. Non-cash items, such as gift cards, are organised by post or through the contact details on your account. Keeping your address and payment information up to date helps avoid any delays.
Thinking of moving or already settled somewhere new? Your account can be updated to make sure your entries follow you.
How Do I Add Or Change A Postcode On My Account?
If you move house or your details change, you can update your postcode by logging into your account on the official website. In your settings, enter your current residential address and matching postcode so future draws reflect where you live now. If you prefer not to manage changes online, the customer service team can help over the phone.
It is also sensible to check that your email and bank details are current, so you do not miss any notifications or payments after an address change. Only your main residential postcode should be on your account, and once updated, your entries link to your new home from the next applicable draw.
If you ever feel gambling is becoming a problem, support is available from organisations such as BeGambleAware.
Keeping your details accurate means your entry always matches where you live, and everything runs smoothly if your postcode is drawn.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.