Premium bonds are attracting millions of British savers by offering the thrill of winning a prize rather than earning interest. Every month, two lucky winners receive £1 million, while millions of smaller prizes ranging from £25 to £100,000 are also up for grabs.
With the September 2025 draw just around the corner, bondholders are eager to see if their numbers are the icing on the cake. If you hold premium bonds, it’s important to know how to check the results quickly and claim any winnings without delay. Here’s a clear guide to help you keep track of your chances.
Premium Bonds have been a household name in the UK for decades, giving savers a fun alternative to traditional interest-paying accounts. Instead of earning monthly interest, bondholders are entered into a prize draw with the chance to scoop anything from £25 to £1 million.
With the September 2025 draw now approaching, excitement is growing among the UK’s 24 million Premium Bond holders. Whether you’re dreaming of the £1 million jackpot or just hoping to pocket a smaller prize, it’s worth knowing how the system works — and how to make sure you don’t miss out.
A Quick Refresher: How Premium Bonds Work
Unlike regular savings accounts, Premium Bonds don’t pay interest. Instead, each £1 bond you hold gives you a chance to win in NS&I’s monthly prize draw.
Minimum holding: £25
Maximum holding: £50,000
Odds of winning: 22,000-to-one per £1 bond
The draws are powered by ERNIE (Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment), a random number generator that ensures fairness. Two new millionaires are created every month, alongside thousands of smaller winners.
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What Are the Odds of Winning?
The chances of hitting the jackpot are slim, but plenty of smaller prizes are awarded each month. For many savers, the fun lies in the possibility — and the reassurance that their money is still safe.
Here’s an example breakdown from a recent draw:
2 prizes of £1 million
82 prizes of £100,000
163 prizes of £50,000
328 prizes of £25,000
818 prizes of £10,000
1,636 prizes of £5,000
17,163 prizes of £1,000
51,489 prizes of £500
Nearly 4 million prizes of £100, £50, or £25
So, while millionaire winners grab the headlines, there are tens of thousands of smaller rewards handed out every month.
September 2025 Draw: How to Check If You’ve Won
Winning numbers for the September 2025 Premium Bonds draw will be announced at the start of the month. If you’ve got bonds, here’s how you can quickly check:
Online checker: Visit the NS&I website and enter your bond numbers.
Mobile app: Download NS&I’s app for instant results.
Direct payment/email: Register your details and any prize will be paid into your account automatically.
If you haven’t already signed up for automatic payments, it’s worth doing so. That way, you’ll never miss a prize.
The Hidden Issue: Millions in Unclaimed Prizes
While new winners celebrate each month, huge sums remain unclaimed across the country.
Dorset’s Forgotten Winnings
In Dorset, more than £1.1 million worth of Premium Bond prizes are waiting to be claimed. Over 31,000 prizes have been left untouched, including one worth £10,000 from 2019. Astonishingly, some unclaimed wins date as far back as 1964.
Wiltshire’s Uncollected Prizes
Wiltshire tells a similar story. Residents there have 23,841 unclaimed prizes totalling nearly £896,000. The largest single prize left unclaimed was £25,000 from September 2023, and one £25 prize has gone unclaimed since 1961.
Nationwide Picture
Across the UK, the scale is even bigger: over £100 million in Premium Bond prizes remain unclaimed. Many of these belong to accounts untouched for more than two decades. Critics argue NS&I should do more to reunite winners with their forgotten funds.
How to Claim Unclaimed Premium Bond Prizes
If you suspect you or a relative may have unclaimed winnings, here’s what you can do:
1. Use the NS&I prize checker online or via the app.
2. Check old documents – even decades-old bonds are still eligible.
3. Update your details with NS&I, especially if you’ve moved house.
4. Contact NS&I directly for help tracing older accounts.
Since 2011, NS&I has offered direct bank transfers for prize money, making it much easier to receive winnings compared to the old cheque system.
Final Thoughts
Premium Bonds remain one of Britain’s favourite ways to save — safe, simple, and with a dash of excitement each month.
With the September 2025 draw about to reveal its winners, now is the perfect time to check your numbers and see if you’re in line for a payout.
And remember: while the million-pound jackpots grab the headlines, smaller prizes are far more common. Keeping your details updated and checking regularly ensures you won’t miss out on money that’s rightfully yours.
With over £100 million sitting unclaimed nationwide, the next big winner might already be you — you just need to check.
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FAQs
1. When will the September 2025 Premium Bonds results be announced?
The draw results will be published by NS&I on 2 September 2025, and winners can start checking on the same day.
2. How can I check if I’ve won a Premium Bonds prize?
You can check results through the official NS&I website, the NS&I prize checker app, or by using the prize checker tool with your holder’s number.
3. What if I win — how are prizes paid?
Most prizes are paid directly into your bank account if you’ve registered for this option. Otherwise, NS&I will send a cheque to your registered address.
4. Do I need to claim small prizes manually?
No, small prizes are credited automatically if you’ve set up direct payment. If not, you’ll receive a cheque which you’ll need to deposit.
5. What happens if I miss checking my results?
Don’t worry — Premium Bond prizes never expire. You can claim them years later by contacting NS&I or using the online checker.