When National Lottery unveiled the results of its Set For Life draw number 685United Kingdom on Monday, October 6, 2025, more than a quarter‑million tickets walked away with cash. The winning line – 9, 15, 24, 33, 45 with Life Ball 2 – turned a modest £10‑pound stake into a total prize pool of £1,554,610, spread across 178,626 lucky players.
How the draw works
Each Set For Life draw uses a patented Ball Set SFL7 and the high‑speed Excalibur 5 ball machine. The balls tumble inside a transparent drum while a certified independent adjudicator watches the sequence, ensuring nothing feels fishy. Five main numbers plus a Life Ball are drawn, and the odds for matching all six sit at a daunting 1 in 15.3 million.
Players must be 18 or older and physically located in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man to claim a prize. The Gambling Commission oversees compliance, making sure the process stays transparent and fair.
Prize breakdown – who got what
The numbers tell a story of broad‑based generosity. Below is a snapshot of the eight prize tiers for draw 685:
- Match 5 + Life Ball – top prize of £10,000 a month for 30 years. No winners.
- Match 5 – three tickets hit all five main numbers, each pocketing £10,000 a month for one year (that's £120,000 per winner, £360,000 total).
- Match 4 + Life Ball – 25 winners took home £250 each, totalling £6,250.
- Match 4 – 341 players earned £50 each, £17,050 in total.
- Match 3 + Life Ball – 1,158 winners walked away with £30, a £34,740 pool.
- Match 3 – 11,843 tickets snagged £20 each, £236,860 total.
- Match 2 + Life Ball – 14,686 winners claimed £10 each, £146,860 overall.
- Match 2 – the biggest slice: 150,570 players earned £5 each, adding up to £752,850.
All told, the draw handed out £1,554,610 in cash. That’s roughly £8.71 per winning ticket on average – a tidy return for a game that usually pays out a few pence per pound spent.
Winners and the claim process
Anyone holding a ticket with a matching combination has until April 4, 2026 to claim their prize. Small winnings (up to £500) can be collected at any National Lottery retailer, while larger payouts require a visit to a regional office or an online claim via the official website or mobile app.
Three lucky ticket‑holders who matched all five main numbers will receive their £120,000 in monthly instalments. For many, that kind of cash‑flow can cover a mortgage, fund a child's university fees, or simply give a long‑overdue financial breather.
How this draw compares with recent ones
The previous draw on Thursday, October 2, produced numbers 3‑28‑30‑35‑40 with Life Ball 7 and saw a modest 140,000 winners. By contrast, the Thursday draw that followed on October 9 (10‑16‑36‑39‑40, Life Ball 7) generated 156,892 winners and a £1.48 m prize fund. Draw 685 sits comfortably between those two – larger than the early‑October draw but a touch smaller than the October 9 outcome.
What’s notable is the consistency of the lower‑tier payouts. Even when the jackpot goes unclaimed, the game still delivers a sizable cash‑back to the majority of participants. That reliability keeps the Set For Life brand fresh in the public mind and explains why ticket sales stay steady despite the elusive top prize.
What this means for regular players
For the average punter, the takeaway isn’t about chasing the £10,000‑a‑month dream – it’s about the odds of landing a decent win. Matching three numbers plus the Life Ball still nets a £30 prize, which can be a pleasant surprise on a modest grocery bill.
Moreover, the spread of winners across almost 180 k tickets means the game maintains a sense of community. When you see headlines about “thousands of winners” you feel part of a larger narrative, not just a lone gambler hoping for a miracle.
Looking ahead, the next Set For Life draw is scheduled for Thursday, October 16. If you’ve got a ticket, double‑check those numbers – you never know when the next £120,000 instalment could be yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I claim a Set For Life prize after the draw?
Prizes up to £500 can be collected at any National Lottery retailer. For larger amounts, you’ll need to submit a claim online via the National Lottery website, use the mobile app, or visit a regional office in person. Remember, you have until April 4, 2026 to make a claim.
What are the odds of winning the top prize in Set For Life?
To hit the jackpot – all five main numbers plus the Life Ball – the odds sit at roughly 1 in 15.3 million. It’s a long shot, but the game’s multiple lower‑tier prizes keep the overall odds of winning any money at about 1 in 10.
Are players from the Isle of Man eligible for Set For Life?
Yes. The National Lottery’s rules allow anyone aged 18 or over who is physically located in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man to purchase tickets and claim prizes.
How does the prize fund for draw #685 compare to previous draws?
Draw 685 paid out £1.55 million to 178,626 winners, slightly higher than the £1.48 million paid out on the October 9 draw but lower than the £1.62 million distributed on the November 4 draw earlier this year.
What does the Gambling Commission say about the fairness of the draw?
The Gambling Commission regularly audits the National Lottery’s processes. For draw 685, the commission confirmed that the independent adjudicator, Ball Set SFL7 and Excalibur 5 machines operated within all regulatory standards, ensuring a fair outcome.