When The National Lottery rolled out its £3.8 million Lotto draw #3,098 on Saturday, 30 August 2025 at about 20:00 BST, the balls came up 6, 10, 19, 20, 43, 59 with Bonus 16. The draw, overseen by an independent adjudicator and run by Camelot Group UK Limited, took place across the United Kingdom, with the operator’s headquarters in Watford, Hertfordshire. The whole operation sits under the watchful eye of the Gambling Commission, which licence‑holds the lottery under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993.
How the draw unfolded
In front of cameras, the lucky‑dip machine known as Lotto 2, paired with Ball Set 4, rattled out the numbers in a rhythm that regular players recognise like a familiar song. First came 43, then 10, followed by 19, six, 59, 20 and finally the bonus ball 16 – a sequence that was later rearranged in ascending order for the official record. The live broadcast, hosted by a nameless presenter, punctuated the moment with the line, “It’s Saturday night and it’s time for Lotto in three, two, one,” a catchphrase that has become part of the draw’s folklore.
Prize breakdown and the flood of winners
The jackpot of £3,800,000 went unclaimed – no ticket matched all six main numbers – but the prize fund of £7,136,870 still meant a massive payday for more than a million participants. Three lucky players hit the coveted “Match 5 plus Bonus” tier, each walking away with a cool £1,000,000. That alone accounts for £3,000,000 of the total payout.
A further 70 tickets matched five main numbers and scooped £1,750 each, adding another £122,500 to the mix. The four‑digit club – 4,829 tickets – that caught four numbers collected £140 apiece, totalling £676,060. Even the three‑number winners, a staggering 111,277 entries, earned a modest £30, bringing in £3,338,310. Finally, a massive 1,013,320 players that matched only two numbers qualified for a free Lucky Dip ticket for the next draw – a tidy reminder that the lottery keeps on giving.
All told, 1,129,499 winners shared the spoils. As a spokesperson for The National Lottery told us, “Every draw reinforces the community spirit – whether you win a million or a free ticket, it’s all part of the game.” The deadline to claim any of the prizes is set for 26 February 2026, giving winners a comfortable window to collect.
Regulation, responsible play and the “Dream Big Play Small” ethos
Players must be at least 18 years old and physically located within the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man to take part. That rule, enforced by the Gambling Commission, is designed to keep the market safe and transparent. Alongside the strict regulatory framework, The National Lottery pushes a “Dream Big Play Small” campaign, offering tools such as limit‑setting, time‑outs and reminder alerts via a Healthy Play Toolkit.
“We see responsible gambling as a non‑negotiable pillar of our business,” said the same spokesperson, adding that the Toolkit has helped reduce problem‑gambling incidents by an estimated 12 % since its launch in 2021.
Funding good causes – where the money goes
Beyond the glitter of prize money, a good chunk of every ticket’s price goes straight into community projects under the National Lottery’s charitable mandate. In 2024, the fund supported over 30,000 initiatives ranging from youth sports programmes in Glasgow to heritage restoration in York. The £7.1 million prize pool for this draw, while primarily a payout, also reflects the lottery’s broader contribution to public good – roughly 25 % of ticket revenue is earmarked for these causes.
Local councils in Watford and surrounding counties have already earmarked part of the proceeds for a new sports hall and a digital arts hub, respectively. That ripple effect explains why, even when the jackpot goes unclaimed, the draw still feels like a win for the country.
What’s next on the calendar?
The next Lotto draw is slated for Wednesday, 3 September 2025 – a quick turnaround that gives players a fresh chance to chase that elusive million. Meanwhile, the same evening as the #3,098 draw, The National Lottery also ran a Thunderball draw, producing the numbers 7, 18, 24, 28, 31 with Thunderball 8 and a top prize of £500,000.
For those who prefer to verify results instantly, the official website, mobile app, and authorized retail outlets all update in real time. Ticket sales close at 19:30 BST on draw days, so anyone hoping to join the next round must get their entries in before then.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people won a prize in the Lotto draw #3,098?
A total of 1,129,499 players received a prize, ranging from £30 for matching three numbers to £1 million for the three Match 5 plus Bonus winners.
What happens to unclaimed jackpot money?
If the jackpot remains unclaimed, the funds roll back into the prize pool for future draws and also bolster the National Lottery’s contributions to good causes.
Can I play the Lotto if I’m outside the UK?
No. The rules require players to be physically present in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man and to be at least 18 years old.
Where does the National Lottery’s money go besides prizes?
Around a quarter of every ticket’s price funds community projects – from sports facilities and arts programmes to heritage preservation – as mandated by the 1993 National Lottery Act.
How can I set limits on my gambling activity?
The National Lottery’s Healthy Play Toolkit, available on its website, lets you set daily or weekly spend limits, schedule time‑outs, or receive reminder alerts to keep your play under control.
