The National Lottery turned heads on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, when it broadcast its weekly Lotto and Thunderball draws live from a studio in London. The draws, overseen by an independent adjudicator, produced a £2 million Lotto jackpot and a £500 000 Thunderball top prize – although the latter went unclaimed. Here’s what happened, how the prize money was spread, and why the results matter for anyone who buys a ticket in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man.
Draw Overview and Winning Numbers
During the Lotto draw 3089United Kingdom, six main balls – 3, 5, 7, 18, 21 and 37 – were drawn, followed by the bonus ball 38. The machine used was Lotto machine 2 paired with ball set 4, both certified for fairness. That combination generated a headline‑making £2 million jackpot, a figure that keeps the weekly millionaire count hovering around two, according to the operator’s own statistics.
Almost simultaneously, the Thunderball draw 3,739United Kingdom saw the numbers 6, 7, 13, 21 and 31 emerge, with Thunderball 14 added at the end. The Excalibur 1 ball machine and ball set 3 handled the spin, a setup that has become routine for the game.
Prize Breakdown and Winners
While no one nailed all five main Thunderball numbers plus the Thunderball to capture the £500 000 prize, the draw still rewarded 92 351 winners across every tier. Here’s the distribution:
- 5 main numbers (no Thunderball) – 3 winners, £5 000 each (£15 000 total).
- 5 numbers + Thunderball – 0 winners, £0 awarded.
- 4 numbers + Thunderball – 25 winners, £250 each (£6 250 total).
- Match 4 – 398 winners, £100 each (£39 800 total).
- 3 numbers + Thunderball – 798 winners, £20 each (£15 960 total).
- Match 3 – 12 988 winners, £10 each (£129 880 total).
- 2 numbers + Thunderball – 8 556 winners, £10 each (£85 560 total).
- Match 1 + Thunderball – 31 929 winners, £5 each (£159 645 total).
- Thunderball only – 37 654 winners, £3 each (£112 962 total).
All tiers together accounted for a £565 057 prize fund, a spread that the operator says “ensures most players walk away with something.” The Lotto side, with its two‑million‑pound jackpot, added another layer of excitement, even though the exact number of Lotto winners for that draw wasn’t disclosed in the initial broadcast.
Responsible Gaming and Player Tools
After the numbers were called, the National Lottery reminded viewers of its "Dream Big, Play Small" mantra. The campaign, rolled out across its TV spots and the official app, encourages players to set daily or weekly spend limits, take a timeout, or even self‑exclude if needed. A "Healthy Play Toolkit" is embedded in the mobile app, letting users configure alerts that pop up when they’re nearing their personal thresholds.
According to a spokesperson, the toolkit has helped "reduce problem‑gambling incidents by roughly 12 %" since its launch in 2022. The organization also works with GambleAware to provide a helpline (0808 802 1333) that’s available 24/7 for anyone feeling uneasy about their playing habits.
Context: Summer of Sport 2025 and the Good Cause Narrative
The Wednesday draw was part of the wider "Summer of Sport 2025" campaign, a partnership between the National Lottery and several UK sporting bodies. This year’s Good Cause story spotlighted the Red Roses, England’s women’s rugby team, whose recent win in the Six Nations was partially funded by Lotto proceeds. The narrative underscored how every ticket sold contributes to grassroots sport, community projects, and charity initiatives.
Officials from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said the infusion of Lotto‑derived grants helped fund youth coaching clinics in Manchester and Liverpool, reaching more than 3 000 new participants last season. "It’s a cycle," one RFU official noted, "players win big, the community wins bigger."
How to Check Results and Play Future Draws
Players can verify their numbers instantly via the official National Lottery website or the dedicated mobile app, which pushes notifications as soon as the draws are live. The app also lets users purchase tickets for the next draw, set reminders for upcoming Lotto or Thunderball sessions, and even pre‑select numbers with a “Lucky Dip” feature.
For those preferring a physical ticket, authorized retailers across the UK and the Isle of Man continue to sell paper versions. The terms remain clear: you must be 18 or older and physically located in the UK or Isle of Man at the time of purchase. Online sales are logged against a user’s account, which includes the same responsible‑gaming controls as the app.
Historical Records, Transparency and What’s Next
Both draws have been archived in the 2025 Thunderball Results Archive, a searchable database that logs every draw’s date, numbers, ball sets, and total winner count. The archive, maintained by the National Lottery, aims to provide full transparency and allows analysts to spot trends – for instance, the number 7 appeared in both the Lotto and Thunderball main balls on July 30, a statistical quirk that occurs roughly once every 30 draws.
Looking ahead, the next Wednesday draw is slated for August 6, 2025, with the jackpot expected to roll over if no winner claims the £2 million prize. Meanwhile, the Thunderball game is set to introduce a new “Double‑Thunderball” feature later this year, which could push the top prize beyond £1 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this draw affect regular lottery players?
The July 30 draw shows that even when the top Thunderball prize goes unclaimed, thousands of people still win smaller prizes. This pattern keeps interest high and reinforces the operator’s message that most tickets return some value, encouraging regular play.
What are the odds of winning the £500,000 Thunderball prize?
The odds for a full match (5 numbers plus the Thunderball) stand at 1 in 21,000,000. Because millions of tickets are sold each week, the prize can roll over many times before being claimed, as happened on July 30.
Who oversees the fairness of these draws?
An independent adjudicator is present at every live broadcast, ensuring the machines and ball sets meet strict industry standards. Their role is audited annually by the UK Gambling Commission.
Can I claim a prize if I bought a ticket online?
Yes. Winners who purchased tickets via the official website or app receive a digital claim notification. Prizes up to £500 are paid directly into the player’s account; larger amounts require identity verification and may be paid by cheque.
What is the "Summer of Sport 2025" campaign about?
It’s a joint initiative between the National Lottery and UK sport bodies to highlight how lottery funding fuels grassroots projects. The July 30 draw featured a Good Cause story on the women's rugby team, showing a direct link between ticket sales and community sport development.
