Frequently Asked Questions

How does the roll over work?

The following bullet points demonstrate the steps that are undertaken during a draw and where a lottery uses a rollover feature as Wings Lotto does.

Every paid chance* is issued a unique six digit playing number (*the term 'paid chance' is used as an individual person may have more than one entry each week)

Each draw will have a lower and upper number limit -  i.e. 000001 to 999999

During the draw, the Lottery computer randomly picks a number between a lower and upper limit. If the number drawn belongs to an active member who is in credit, they win the prize.

With the first and third prize the process will continue until an active member who is in credit wins. The second prize is different in so far as; if the number drawn has no matching member number the prize will roll over to the following week.

If the prize is not won, the prize money for the second prize is ring-fenced in the prize bank account and is added to the next week’s prize fund.
This process will continue every week until either the second prize is won or until the rollover prize builds up to the maximum of £10,000.

When the maximum rollover prize limit is reached the computer will be allowed to continue to select numbers until to an active member who is in credit is selected, that person will win the jackpot of £10,000.

What percentage of money goes to the charity?
This figure varies considerably and is dependant on the number of people playing the lottery, the set up and administration costs.

The 2005 Gambling Act sets the following legal limits - 80% can go on prizes and administration with a minimum of 20% going to the good cause.

Why £4.34 per month?

The monthly cost breakdown of £4.34 for playing the lottery is based on paying £1 per week over a 52 week year. Direct debits are only collected once monthly. Sometimes there will be five weeks in a month and the additional £0.34p is to build up credit to cover the fifth week on the five-week months.

Can I still play if I live in Northern

Ireland?

Extract from The Law on Lotteries in Northern Ireland - Reference 6.5

“Tickets in a Great Britain society’s lottery may not be lawfully sold in Northern Ireland by a person in Northern Ireland. The law in Great Britain and Northern Ireland does not prevent the sale of a GB society’s lottery ticket by post or telephone to a person in Northern Ireland.” 

In simplified terms the Wings Lotto cannot be promoted or sold by any person who lives in Northern Ireland but it is legal for someone in Northern Ireland to take part in the Wings Lotto as the leaflet is sent in the post and the sale transaction takes place on mainland UK.