A new study by WDW Bingo has revealed the luckiest cities in the UK for winning the lottery, based on an analysis of postcode lottery wins, millionaire winners and residents' interest in chasing jackpots.
The research considered the number of millionaires and winners with prizes of £50,000 or more, as well as the volume of month Google searches for “lottery results.”
It claims that with 13 £1m winners per 100,000 people, Newcastle Upon Tyne is the UK’s jackpot hotspot.
Sheffield came eighth in the ranking with a large number of big lottery winners - for every 100,000 residents, there are 12 newly-made millionaires, and more than 75 have won prizes of over £50,000. And, for a city of over 400,000 people, it has also seen more than 1,000 postcode lottery winners, far outstripping more populated cities like Leeds and Glasgow.
In Sheffield, there have been 1,061 wins in the postcode lottery since it launched in 2005.
Harrison Score, Head of WDW Bingo, comments: “When it comes to the lottery, it's clear that some places have a winning track record. Our analysis shows that factors like a high number of jackpot winners and an enthusiastic community that regularly checks for results all contribute to a city's luck. This study isn't just about who has won the most; it’s about a city's collective spirit and hope for a big win."
To celebrate the relative luck of Sheffield, here are some of the people in the city and its surrounding areas who have won big in various lottery draws over the years.

9. Kind-hearted couple
Sheffield United fans Ray and Barbara Wragg celebrate winning a £7,649,520 jackpot from the National Lottery at Bramall Lane football ground on January 25, 2000. They became renowned for giving away much of their fortune to many good causes. Barbara sadly died in 2018, aged 77 | Photo: PA

10. A day to remember
Lottery winners William and Brenda Green receive their cheque for £218,154 from snooker player Andy Hicks during the World Snooker Championships at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, in April 2004 | Photo: Dennis Lound

11. Lucky Owls
Andrew Perkins, aged 25, of Sheffield, celebrates at Hillsborough stadium after winning £1,150,000 in the EuroMillions Mega draw on Friday March 27, 2015. He is pictured with girlfriend Christina Maher | Photo: Shaun Flannery


