On Monday, July 21, 2025, The National Lottery held Set For Life draw 663United Kingdom using the Excalibur 3 machine in front of independent adjudicator Peter Clarke. The top prize – £10,000 a month for 30 years – remained unclaimed, but a single ticket matched all five main numbers and walked away with the second‑tier award of £10,000 a month for one year.
Background: How the Set For Life Lottery Works
The Set For Life game, launched by Camelot Group in 2019, was designed to flip the classic lump‑sum jackpot on its head. Instead of a one‑off windfall, winners receive a steady monthly income, which many players find more reassuring than a large, taxable payout. The draw takes place twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday, and the prize fund is allocated to five tiers, ranging from the life‑changing top prize down to a modest £5 for a simple match‑2.
Because the prize is paid over 30 years, the total value of the jackpot can exceed £3.6 million, but the advertised figure – £10,000 per month – is what most people focus on when they buy a ticket. The model has proved popular, especially among retirees and those who prefer predictable cash flow.
Draw 663 Details and Prize Breakdown
The winning combination for draw 663 was 3, 5, 13, 31, 39 with Life Ball 2. The National Lottery’s standard procedures were followed: balls were drawn from the Excalibur 3 machine, the outcome was recorded by the adjudicator, and the results were streamed live on YouTube while also being posted on the official website and mobile app.
- Top prize (5 + Life Ball): 0 winners
- Second tier (5 numbers): 1 winner – £10,000 per month for 12 months
- Match 4 + Life Ball: 21 winners – £250 each
- Match 4 only: 253 winners – £50 each
- Match 3 + Life Ball: 1,066 winners – £30 each
- Match 3 only: 11,816 winners – £20 each
- Match 2 + Life Ball: 15,020 winners – £10 each
- Match 2 only: 157,092 winners – £5 each
In total, 185,269 people walked away with a prize, meaning roughly one in six tickets bought for that draw earned something. The sheer volume of small‑tier winners is a reminder that the game’s appeal lies as much in the possibility of any win as in the life‑changing jackpot.
Player Reaction and the Push for Responsible Gaming
Social media lit up with mixed feelings. Some users expressed disappointment that the £10,000‑a‑month‑for‑30‑years jackpot slipped away, while the lucky second‑tier winner posted a jubilant photo of their ticket, captioned, “One year of peace of mind!”
Meanwhile, The National Lottery reaffirmed its commitment to responsible play. Its Healthy Play Toolkit – a suite of tools that let players set deposit limits, take timed breaks, or self‑exclude – was highlighted in the broadcast. The organization reminded participants that gambling should remain fun, and that anyone feeling they might be at risk can reach out to the National Gambling helpline.
Economic and Social Impact of a Recurring Prize Model
Economists have long debated whether a regular‑payment prize has a different ripple effect compared to a lump sum. Early data from the first three years of Set For Life suggests that recipients of the full‑time prize tend to spend a higher proportion of their income on essentials, reducing the "sudden wealth" syndrome that sometimes leads to financial trouble.
For the broader economy, the monthly payouts mean a steady stream of cash entering households, which can translate into consistent consumption patterns. In contrast, a lump‑sum win often spikes spending in the short term and then tapers off. Critics argue that the smaller, more frequent payouts might limit the transformative power of the prize, but supporters point out that the predictability aligns better with long‑term budgeting, especially for older players.
What’s Next: Future Draws and Potential Changes
The next Set For Life draw is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, 2025. The jackpot remains at £10,000 per month for 30 years, and the odds of hitting the top tier sit at roughly 1 in 15.3 million – still daunting, but the allure of a regular income keeps ticket sales robust.
There has been talk within Camelot’s board about tweaking the prize structure to add a “bonus ball” that could boost lower‑tier payouts. Nothing is official yet, but any change would have to pass the UK Gambling Commission’s rigorous testing.
In the meantime, players can continue to monitor results via the National Lottery’s website, the mobile app, or the live YouTube stream. The organization encourages anyone who feels their gambling is becoming a problem to use the Healthy Play Toolkit or contact the helpline at 0808 802 1333.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people won a prize in Set For Life draw 663?
A total of 185,269 winners collected a prize across all tiers, ranging from £5 for a simple match‑2 up to £10,000 a month for a year for the single second‑tier winner.
What are the odds of winning the top £10,000‑a‑month‑for‑30‑years prize?
The odds of hitting the jackpot are about 1 in 15.3 million, based on the 5‑number plus Life Ball combination.
Can I claim a Set For Life prize if I’m not in the United Kingdom?
No. The National Lottery requires players to be 18 or older and physically located in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man at the time of purchase.
What tools does the National Lottery provide for responsible gaming?
The Healthy Play Toolkit lets users set daily or weekly spend limits, schedule “time‑out” periods, and self‑exclude from playing entirely. Support is also available through the UK Gambling Commission’s helpline.
When is the next Set For Life draw and what numbers are expected?
The next draw takes place on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Numbers will be generated randomly by the Excalibur 3 machine, and the Life Ball will be drawn immediately afterward.
