The National Lottery is blocked abroad because Camelot restricts access to UK IP addresses. A VPN gives your device a UK connection so the National Lottery website and app work exactly as they do at home. The entire process takes about five minutes.
We tested this from Spain, France, the UAE, and Australia in September 2026 and confirmed it works on the National Lottery website, iOS app, and Android app.
Your 5-minute setup
1. Choose a VPN → 2. Install the app → 3. Connect to the UK → 4. Play the Lottery
No technical knowledge required
Step 1 — Choose a VPN That Works for the National Lottery
You need a VPN with reliable UK servers that Camelot has not blocked. Not every provider works. We tested the leading VPNs and these three connect to UK servers and load the National Lottery website and app consistently.
If NordVPN is not the right fit, these two alternatives also work reliably for the National Lottery.
| # | VPN | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
NordVPN
440+ UK servers, audited no-logs
|
Best overall reliability | Get Deal |
| 2 |
ProtonVPN
Swiss-based, zero-logs
|
Best for privacy | Get Deal |
| 3 |
ExpressVPN
Lightway protocol, fastest speeds
|
Best for speed | Get Deal |
Once you have signed up with your chosen VPN, continue to Step 2.
Step 2 — Install the VPN on Your Device
Download the VPN app on the device you use for the National Lottery. All three recommended providers have apps for every major platform.
On a phone or tablet: Open the App Store (iPhone or iPad) or Google Play Store (Android) and search for the name of your VPN provider. Download and install the app, then sign in with the account you just created.
On a laptop or desktop: Visit your VPN provider’s website, download the app for Windows or Mac, and install it. Sign in with your account credentials.
Installation takes under two minutes on any device.
Step 3 — Connect to a UK Server
Open the VPN app and select United Kingdom from the server list. Tap or click Connect. The connection typically establishes in three to five seconds.
Wait until the app confirms the connection is active before opening the National Lottery. London servers usually provide the fastest and most reliable connection.
Important: Keep the VPN connected for your entire session. If the connection drops while you are on the National Lottery site, you will be blocked again and may need to log in again.
Step 4 — Open the National Lottery and Play
With the VPN connected to a UK server, open the National Lottery website at national-lottery.co.uk or launch the National Lottery app on your phone.
The site should load normally. Sign in with your existing National Lottery account. You will have full access to Lotto, EuroMillions, Set For Life, Thunderball, instant win games, and your account balance.
If you were previously logged out or blocked, clear your browser cookies first, then reconnect and try again. On mobile, force-close the National Lottery app before connecting the VPN, then reopen it.
Troubleshooting
National Lottery Still Showing a Location Error
Clear your browser cookies before reconnecting. The National Lottery stores location data from your previous session. Connect to a UK server first, then open a fresh browser window or incognito tab and navigate to national-lottery.co.uk.
National Lottery App Not Loading
Force-close the app completely before connecting the VPN. Then connect to a UK server, wait for the connection to confirm, and reopen the app. The app checks your IP on launch, so the VPN must be active before you open it.
Still Not Working After Trying Everything
Switch to a different UK server in your VPN app. Some server IP addresses may have been flagged. NordVPN has 440+ UK servers, so there are plenty of alternatives. If you are on mobile, also disable location services for the National Lottery app.
What Else Your VPN Covers
The same VPN subscription that unlocks the National Lottery also gives you access to BBC iPlayer, RTÉ Player, UK online banking, Paddy Power, Bet365, Sky Bet, and dozens of other UK services. One subscription covers lottery, banking, streaming, betting, and government portals.
Related Guides
- National Lottery Blocked Abroad — Full Guide
- Can I Play the National Lottery Abroad?
- National Lottery App Not Working Abroad
- Which Banks Block VPN?
Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this guide are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend VPN providers we have personally tested and verified.