The UK Poppy Lottery: Honoring Veterans and Supporting Charity

The Poppy Lottery is a weekly charity lottery run by The Royal British Legion to raise funds for its vital work supporting serving and ex-serving members of the UK armed forces and their families. For just £1 per entry per week, players have the chance to win prizes of up to £2,000 every Friday while helping to fund the Legion’s welfare and support services. Unlike commercial gambling, this lottery exists primarily as a fundraising tool to keep crucial programmes for veterans, service personnel and their loved ones running across Great Britain.

Playing the Poppy Lottery is deliberately simple so that anyone who is over the age of 18 and lives in England, Scotland or Wales can take part. To join, you simply decide how many weekly entries you would like at £1 each and complete the secure online form with your direct debit details. The Royal British Legion will then send you written confirmation of your unique lottery number or numbers and tell you the date of your first draw, which usually takes place within two weeks of signing up. After that, each week when your direct debit is collected, your numbers are automatically entered into the Friday draw. You do not need to claim if you win, because the Legion posts a cheque to the winners automatically. If you are curious about the outcome of each draw you can check the published winning numbers on the official website or by calling the Poppy Lottery helpline on 01249 280016.

Every Friday, 400 winning numbers are drawn at random and prizes range from smaller £10 amounts through to the top prize of £2,000. From time to time, one of the regular weekly draws is replaced by a Big Quarterly Draw with larger prize opportunities, adding extra excitement for participants. The winners announced for the draw of 12 September 2025, for example, included a first prize of £2,000, a second prize of £200, several £100 and £50 prizes, and many £20 and £10 winners. These regular announcements show how widely prizes are distributed and that even modest stakes can lead to pleasant surprises for supporters.

The Important Part | How The Poppy Lottery Helps

The good causes supported by the Poppy Lottery are the heart of the scheme. The Royal British Legion has been working for more than a century to help members of the armed forces community. The money raised through the lottery helps the charity provide physical and mental wellbeing services, from crisis support to rehabilitation programmes. It funds advice on personal finance, debt management and employment for those adjusting to life after service. It helps older veterans live comfortably and independently, with specialist care for those dealing with dementia. It allows the Legion to build and maintain local community networks so that those who have served can find companionship and practical help, and it pays for expert advisors to offer guidance on housing, pensions and compensation. The charity also campaigns for improvements in government policy and remains the national champion of Remembrance, ensuring that the sacrifices of those who served are never forgotten.

For players, there are extra benefits beyond the chance of a prize and the knowledge that every pound goes towards these vital services. All entrants have access to PlayerZone, an online portal where you can track any winnings, enter exclusive free competitions and read about the difference your support is making. The lottery is licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission of Great Britain and is open only to residents of England, Scotland and Wales who are 18 or over. If you ever feel you might have a problem with gambling, help is available through organisations such as GambleAware and the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. The Royal British Legion also provides links to software such as Gamblock, which can block access to gambling sites if you wish.

The Poppy Lottery has grown over the years into an important part of the Legion’s fundraising, giving supporters a fun and secure way to contribute while keeping alive a tradition of remembrance and solidarity. Whether you are drawn by the chance of a modest windfall or the desire to help Britain’s servicemen and women, joining the Poppy Lottery online is quick and straightforward. Each £1 entry helps the Royal British Legion continue its mission to ensure that no one who has served to protect our freedom is left without the support they deserve.

1. What is the Poppy Lottery?
   The Poppy Lottery is a weekly charity lottery run by The Royal British Legion. For £1 per entry per week you can win cash prizes—up to £2,000 every Friday—while supporting serving and ex-serving members of the UK armed forces and their families.

2. Who can play?
It’s open to residents of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) who are 18 years old or over. It is licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission of Great Britain.

3. How do I enter?
Simply choose how many weekly chances you’d like at £1 each and sign up online. You’ll be asked for Direct Debit details via a secure server.

4. When will my entry be active?
You’ll receive confirmation of your unique lottery number(s) and the date of your first draw—normally within two weeks.

5. How does the draw work?
Each week, after your Direct Debit is collected, your number(s) are entered automatically into the Friday draw. 400 winning numbers are selected at random.

6. Do I need to claim my prize?
No. If you win, the Royal British Legion will automatically send you a cheque in the post.

7. What prizes can I win?
The top weekly prize is £2,000, with many other prizes ranging from £200 down to £10. Every three months, one draw becomes a Big Quarterly Draw with even bigger prize opportunities.

8. How can I check results?
You can view the latest winning numbers on the official Poppy Lottery website or call the helpline on 01249 280016.

9. What is PlayerZone?
PlayerZone is an online area for lottery members where you can track your winnings, join exclusive free competitions and read updates about the impact of your support.

10. Where does my £1 go?
Your entry helps fund the Royal British Legion’s vital services, such as support for veterans’ physical and mental wellbeing, financial guidance, specialist care for older veterans, and community connections.

11. Is it safe and regulated?
Yes. The Poppy Lottery is licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission. Woods Group Limited (Woods Valldata) manages the lottery on behalf of the Legion.

12. What if I have a gambling problem or want to limit my play?
Help is available through GambleAware (www.gambleaware.org) or the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. You can also install site-blocking software such as Gamblock.

13. Can I cancel my entry?
Yes, you can cancel your Direct Debit at any time by contacting the Poppy Lottery team.

14. Can under-18s play?
No. Underage gambling is an offence and no prizes will be paid to anyone under 18.