New research has identified the UK regions most likely to win the Postcode Lottery, with Preston emerging as the top contender. According to a study by gaming magazine 1337 Games, Preston leads with an average of 41.36 wins per postcode district. The findings highlight significant disparities in lottery success across different areas of the country.
The Postcode Lottery, which began in the UK in 2005, operates by allowing players to register their postcodes for a monthly fee of £12. Winners are drawn randomly, with prizes shared among participants in the winning postcode.
The study analysed the number of Postcode Lottery wins across various UK regions, dividing the total wins by the number of postcode districts to determine the likelihood of winning in each area.
| Rank | Area | Postcode | Average historical wins per district | Total wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preston | PR | 41.36 | 455 |
| 2 | Warrington | WA | 33.69 | — |
| 3 | Blackpool | FY | 33.13 | 265 |
| 4 | Nottingham | NG | 31.69 | 919 |
| 5 | Leicester | LE | 30.71 | 645 |
Top Winners:
- Preston (PR): Averaging 41.36 wins per postcode district, Preston tops the list with a total of 455 wins across its 11 districts. Notable wins include a new car and £50,000 in 2018, and six players each winning £1,000 in 2020.
- Warrington (WA): This area follows with an average of 33.69 wins per postcode district. In the past year, 18 neighbours won £31,250 each, and seven others received £62,500 each.
- Blackpool (FY): Blackpool has an average of 33.13 wins per district, with a total of 265 wins. A notable 2020 draw saw eight winners each receive £30,000.
- Nottingham (NG): Ranking fourth with 31.69 average wins, Nottingham has seen 919 wins across its 29 districts. A 2021 draw awarded seven neighbours a share of £3.1 million.
- Leicester (LE): Leicester averages 30.71 wins per postcode district, with 645 wins across 21 districts. A recent draw in August 2023 saw seven winners each receive £76,923.
Least Lucky Areas:
- West Central London (WC): The least fortunate area, with just 0.56 wins per postcode district. The 16 districts in WC have seen only nine wins in total.
- East Central London (EC): This area averages 0.61 wins per district, with 17 wins spread across 28 districts.
- Kirkwall (KW): With an average of 3.25 wins per district, Kirkwall has 52 wins across its 16 districts.
- Paisley (PA): Averaging 4.40 wins per district, Paisley has seen a total of 295 wins across 67 districts.
- Perth (PH): Perth averages 4.86 wins per district, with 204 wins across its 42 districts.
Area Postcode Average historical wins per district West Central London WC 0.56 East Central London EC 0.61 Kirkwall KW 3.25 Paisley PA 4.40 Perth PH 4.86
Emre Aksu from 1337 Games commented on the findings: “It’s intriguing to see such a variance in Postcode Lottery success. Preston’s high number of wins contrasts sharply with areas like Central London, which have seen far fewer successes. This disparity could be attributed to statistical probability, demographic factors, or just chance. It underscores the unpredictable nature of the lottery.”
FAQs
Which UK area has had the most Postcode Lottery wins?
In the research featured in this article, Preston ranked first with an average of 41.36 historical wins per postcode district.
Is Preston the most likely UK area to win the Postcode Lottery?
Not necessarily. Preston had the highest historical average in the study, but this does not prove that it has better odds in a future draw. Winning postcodes are selected randomly, and future winning likelihood cannot be predicted.
Which UK areas had the most historical Postcode Lottery wins?
The top five areas in the study were Preston, Warrington, Blackpool, Nottingham and Leicester.
What is the luckiest postcode area in the UK?
Preston’s PR postcode area ranked highest in the research, with an average of 41.36 historical wins per postcode district.
Which UK area had the fewest Postcode Lottery wins in the study?
West Central London, represented by the WC postcode area, recorded the lowest average in the study at 0.56 historical wins per postcode district.
Does your postcode affect your chance of winning the Postcode Lottery?
Historical data may show different numbers of wins between areas, but a postcode’s past record does not guarantee a higher chance of winning future draws. Winning postcodes are selected randomly from eligible playing postcodes.
How are Postcode Lottery winners selected?
The official Postcode Lottery says winning postcodes are selected randomly using software certified by a Gambling Commission-approved testing house, with draws overseen by an independent adjudicator.
How much does the Postcode Lottery cost?
The official Postcode Lottery currently lists a standard ticket at £12.50 per month, although prices and terms can change. Players should check the official terms before signing up.
Are lottery wins guaranteed if you live in a winning postcode?
You need an eligible playing ticket linked to the winning postcode to receive a prize. Simply living in an area that has previously won does not guarantee a future prize