What is the Isle of Wight Lottery?

The Isle of Wight Lottery is the first lottery in England to be developed specifically to create employment opportunities.

The Lottery is promoted by The Isle of Wight Opportunity Society Limited, which is operated on a strictly "non-profit" basis. This means that all proceeds are directed into a Loan Fund, which can be accessed by island businesses.

All loans applications are assessed by an Investment Panel and if approved they are provided on an interest free basis to both start-up and expanding Island businesses, thereby enabling them to create new jobs.

Since its inception, the IW Lottery has loaned to over 45 companies and created over 130 jobs. The IW Lottery also supports the Start up Business Training programme and through this has given support to over 500 individuals on the island entering self employment.

How does it work?

The IW Lottery is cashless, with entries being paid for by either bank standing order or payroll deduction.

The cost of entry is £1 per week, with no restriction on the number of weekly entries.

All entrants receive a unique personal number, which remains with them for as long as they continue to play.

There are three prizes every week with a first prize of £2,000, a second prize of £300 and a third prize of £200.

The three winning numbers are selected at random by the Lottery's specially designed computer system.

The Lottery is supported by a number of the island's major employers who offer a payroll deduction scheme to employees to allow them to enter direct from their wages; however, it is just as easy to enter using the standing order option and, either way, you don't have to remember to buy a ticket every week!

The IW Lottery is generously sponsored by the Isle of Wight County Press, Isle of Wight Radio and NatWest Bank.

FAQs

I don't like Standing Orders. Can I pay another way?
Yes, send us a cheque or postal order. We do ask for a minimum of £26 if paying by cheque. Please make your cheque payable to Isle of Wight Lottery.

I don't have a bank account. Can I still enter?
Yes, you can pay by postal order.

Can I choose my own numbers?
No, you are allocated the next number in line and you keep that number for as long as you choose to enter.

How soon can I be entered into the draw?
As soon as payment is received and processed by Lottery HQ your number is activated.

Where does the money go?
After paying the prize money and administration costs the rest of the proceeds go to Isle of Wight small businesses in the form of interest-free loans to create jobs on the Island.

How is the draw done?
All lottery entries are put on a special computer database, then every Wednesday an independent person is asked to press the 'draw' button on the computer. The computer initiates its random program and picks three winning numbers out of the entries.

Do I have to claim?
No, we will contact you if you win but the winning numbers are announced on Isle of Wight Radio and printed in the Isle of Wight County Press every week.

For further information, please contact enquiries@isleofwightlottery.com or contact Lottery Administrator at the address below.