Thursday night’s National Lottery Set For Life draw offered hopeful players the chance to win an extraordinary prize: £10,000 every month for 30 years. This life-changing jackpot, totaling £3.6 million, has already been claimed in the local area within the past year, making the dream of financial security tantalizingly close for many.
Held on June 19, 2025, Draw 654 was conducted using the Excalibur 4 machine and Ball set SFL1, as part of the twice-weekly Set For Life draws taking place every Monday and Thursday at 8pm. Players were tasked with selecting five numbers from 1 to 47, along with a Life Ball number from 1 to 10. For those who prefer to leave luck entirely to chance, the Lucky Dip option allowed random number selection at a cost of £1.50 per line.
The winning numbers for this particular draw were 08, 10, 12, 28, and 45, with the Life Ball number being 09. These numbers represent the gateway to a financial windfall that could enable winners to quit their jobs, clear debts, travel the world, or even launch new ventures. The prize structure is designed not just as a lump sum, but as a steady monthly income over three decades, providing long-term stability and peace of mind.
Since the National Lottery’s inception on November 19, 1994, when seven winners shared a jackpot of £5,874,778, the game has seen some remarkable wins. The largest single-ticket jackpot was an astonishing £42 million in 1996, a record that still resonates today. More recently, Gareth Bull, a 49-year-old builder, won £41 million in November 2020, famously demolishing his bungalow to make way for a luxury manor with a pool.
While the UK’s National Lottery boasts impressive jackpots, the global lottery scene has witnessed even more staggering sums. The biggest lottery prize in history was a colossal £1.308 billion Powerball jackpot in the United States on January 13, 2016, shared by three ticket holders. Other monumental wins include a £1.267 billion Mega Millions prize claimed by a South Carolina winner in March 2019, a £633.76 million Powerball win in Wisconsin, and £625.76 million won by Mavis L. Wanczyk of Chicopee, Massachusetts, in August 2017. In October 2018, a pair of winners in Iowa and New York split a £575.53 million Powerball jackpot.
Closer to home, stories of life-changing wins continue to inspire. Sue Davies, 64, celebrated the end of five months of shielding during the pandemic by purchasing a lottery ticket that netted her £500,000. Meanwhile, Sandra Devine, 36, accidentally won £300,000 after intending to buy a £100 National Lottery Scratchcard, a serendipitous turn that transformed her fortunes overnight. The biggest UK jackpot ever offered was £66 million in January 2024, won by two lucky ticket holders. Karl, who won £11 million at just 23 years old back in 1996, remains a testament to how youthful dreams can turn into reality.
Despite these inspiring tales, the odds of winning the lottery remain steep, estimated at about one in 14 million. Yet, the timeless adage holds true: you’ve got to be in it to win it. The allure of a steady £10,000 monthly income for 30 years continues to attract players who dream of ticking off bucket lists, supporting family and friends, or simply securing a comfortable future.
As the evening of June 19 drew to a close, players checked their tickets against the winning numbers, hearts pounding with anticipation. For some, tonight could mark the beginning of a new chapter filled with financial freedom and exciting possibilities. For others, it’s another reminder of the thrilling chance that the National Lottery offers twice a week — a chance that could change lives forever.
