Christmas Bonus Draw FAQ

What is the Scratch Card Christmas Bonus Draw?

We have a €5,000 cash prize to be won every week! Grab any one of our Christmas Scratch Cards, Holiday Wishes or Festive Countdown for a chance to win an instant prize and your ACCESS CODE to the next Christmas Bonus Draw. Each Scratch Card contains a 13-character ACCESS CODE which can be entered online into a weekly Christmas Bonus Draw.

You must be over 18 years of age to enter and win a prize in the Christmas Bonus Draw. Prizes will not be issued to a person under the age of 18 years whether that person is acting on their own behalf or on behalf of another person.

How many entries do I get?

Each ACCESS CODE gives you multiple entries into the same Christmas Bonus Draw. The number of entries varies depending on the Scratch Card you play:

1. Holiday Wishes - 5 entries
2. Festive Countdown - 10 entries

Where is the code?

You can find the ACCESS CODE behind the GIFT TAG play area on each Scratch Card. Simply scratch it to reveal the ACCESS CODE and the QR code. There are two parts to the code: a 3-digit number followed by ten characters

How do I enter the Christmas Bonus Draw?

You can enter the draw by either scanning the QR code revealed in the GIFT TAG play area or by manually entering the ACCESS CODE on christmasbonus.lottery.ie. You will be presented with a form you need to fill in to enter the next draw. On the form:

1. Choose the three digits of the code from the drop down in the first box.
2. Enter the ten character code into the second box.
3. Complete the rest of the form with your details
4. Confirm that you are over 18 years old and confirm that you accept terms and conditions for the Christmas Bonus Draws. Optional opt in to marketing communications from the National Lottery.
5. Click 'Submit Code' and you're done.

How do I know if my code has been entered?

Upon completion of the entry form, a player receives a confirmation on site of entry and details of the number of entries which have been entered into the next Christmas Bonus Draw. The National Lottery will also send an email to the email address supplied confirming receipt of the entry.

When will the draws take place?

There are 11 draws which are scheduled to take place at 10:00 AM on the following dates:

Final Draw!

There is the last €5,000 prize up for grabs in the final 12th Christmas Bonus Draw! Any entries received after 10:00 AM on 1 January 2027 will be added to the final draw, which will take place on Thursday 1 July 2027 at 10:00 AM.

How will I know if I’ve won?

We will be contacting the lucky winner after the draw, using the details provided by the player. Find out more on our winners page.

When can I enter the Christmas Bonus Draw?

You may enter your code on christmasbonus.lottery.ie now. Your code will be entered automatically into the next draw.

Is my Christmas Bonus Draw entry entered into every draw?

No, there's a weekly Christmas Bonus Draw and your eligible code is entered into the next draw only. Entry to each weekly draw is limited to those entries received up to 10:00 AM on Friday of a given week or 10:00 AM on Thursday for the final Draw. Each Christmas Scratch Cards Bonus Draw 13 character ACCESS CODE can only be entered into one weekly draw.

What if I don't get my entry in on time for a weekly draw?

Don’t worry, any valid code submitted via the web form will automatically be entered into the next applicable draw. You’ll be advised of the date for the draw after you submit your code.

What if I have already won on the scratch card I used to enter the draw?

Lucky you! Collect your cash winnings as normal and keep a record of your 13-character ACCESS CODE that you entered.

What if I'm having problems entering my draw entry code number online?

You can contact our Customer Support team for help on (01) 889 1000 (8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday to Sunday) or email us at support@lottery.ie.

Can I enter the draw by post?

No, players must go to christmasbonus.lottery.ie and complete the form online.