FAQs
Answers to common questions about the County Lottery, donations and safer gambling.
Playing
How do I play?
Go to the lottery page, choose 1 to 10 tickets, pick your numbers or take a lucky dip, choose a single draw or weekly subscription, and pay by debit card.
How much is a ticket?
£1 per ticket per weekly draw.
When are the draws?
Every Friday at 8pm, starting on 6 November 2026. Entries close at 11.59pm on the Thursday before.
Can I choose my own numbers?
Yes. Each ticket has a six-digit number. You can choose one, or let us pick at random. If your number is already taken that week, we assign the nearest free number and tell you.
Payments
How can I pay?
By UK debit card through Stripe. We do not accept credit cards, because we do not want anyone to play with borrowed money.
When will I be charged?
Single draws are charged straight away. Weekly subscriptions are charged every Thursday for that Friday’s draw.
Can I get a refund?
You can cancel within 14 days of signing up and get a full refund for any draws not yet held. After that you can cancel at any time and you will not be charged for future draws. Email [email protected].
Winning
How will I know I have won?
We email you by 12 noon on the Monday after the draw. Results are also on Our Winners.
How are prizes paid?
By bank transfer within 14 days of the draw, after we confirm your age and identity.
Will my name be published?
Only if you agree in writing. Otherwise we publish your ticket number and general area only.
Is there a deadline?
Prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw. After that they go to our charitable work.
Eligibility
Who can play?
UK residents aged 18 or over, playing for themselves with their own money.
Why 18, when the law allows 16?
The law allows society lotteries to sell to 16 and 17 year olds. We have chosen 18 because many of our own members are under 18, and we never want a girl in Guiding to feel encouraged to gamble.
Can I buy a ticket as a gift?
No. Each player must register and pay for themselves. You could donate in someone’s name instead.
Charity and money
Where does the money go?
Our target is 50% to girls and young women, 35% to prizes and up to 15% to running costs. See Where The Money Goes.
Can I claim Gift Aid on tickets?
No. Gift Aid cannot be claimed on lottery tickets because you get the chance to win a prize. You can Gift Aid a donation.
Is the lottery regulated?
Yes. It is a small society lottery under the Gambling Act 2005, registered with Perth & Kinross Council, and promoted on behalf of Scottish charity SC002886.
Safer gambling
Can I set a spending limit?
Yes. Everyone is limited to 10 tickets (£10) per draw, and you can set a lower weekly limit when you register or at any time by email.
Can I take a break or exclude myself?
Yes. You can pause for 6 weeks, or self-exclude for 6 months to 5 years. Email [email protected] with the subject “Self-exclusion”. See Safer Gambling.
Where can I get help?
Call the free National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day, or visit our Safer Gambling page for more support.
Still have a question? Contact us.