Manage Postcode Lottery

How to cancel postcode lottery and stop recurring charges

What is postcode lottery and why you might cancel

Postcode Lottery (also called People's Postcode Lottery) is a UK-based subscription lottery where your entry is tied to your postcode, and a share of ticket sales funds charitable causes across the country. If you've subscribed but now want to exit, Stopee has helped thousands of consumers like you navigate the cancellation process smoothly.

How postcode lottery works

You pay a recurring subscription fee, typically monthly or quarterly, and your postcode automatically enters you into scheduled draws. If your postcode matches, you can win cash prizes. The catch is that subscriptions renew automatically until you actively cancel, so it's easy to forget you're still being charged.

Common reasons to cancel

You might cancel because you've won and want to stop playing, your budget has tightened, you forgot about the recurring charge, or you simply lost interest in lottery gambling. Whatever your reason, Stopee is here to ensure you cancel without fuss or hidden charges.

Your cancellation options at a glance

Postcode Lottery offers multiple cancellation routes, each with different speeds and security levels.

Available cancellation methods

Pro tip: If you're in India and subscribed via a third-party payment gateway or app store, contact Postcode Lottery's main support line in addition to cancelling through the app, to ensure your subscription is fully terminated.

How to cancel postcode lottery step by step

Choose your cancellation method below and follow the exact steps to ensure nothing is missed.

Cancel online via your account

This is the fastest route if you have login access and want instant confirmation.

1. Visit the official Postcode Lottery website and log into your account using your email and password.
2. Navigate to Account Settings, Subscription Management, or My Lottery (exact label varies).
   • Look for a section titled "Manage Subscription" or "My Account".
3. Select the option to "Cancel Subscription" or "Pause Membership".
4. Read any cancellation warnings (these explain that you'll be active until your paid period ends).
5. Click "Confirm Cancellation" and screenshot or save the confirmation screen.
6. Check your email immediately for a confirmation message from Postcode Lottery.
   • Warning: If no email arrives within 2 hours, log back in to check if cancellation was actually processed - sometimes the form submission fails silently.
7. Save the confirmation email and screenshot to your records for at least one year.

Pro tip: If the "Cancel" button is missing or grayed out, it may mean your account has already been cancelled, or the website is experiencing a glitch. In this case, skip to the phone call method.

Cancel by phone

Speaking directly to a representative removes ambiguity and gets you a verbal confirmation plus a reference number.

1. Call People's Postcode Lottery Customer Experience team on 0808 109 8765.
   • Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm (UK time). India Standard Time is 5.5 hours ahead, so call between 2:30 pm and 11:00 pm IST.
   • If you call outside these hours, you'll reach a voicemail; leave your name, account number, and a callback request.
2. When connected, confirm you're calling to cancel your Postcode Lottery subscription.
3. Provide your account details: full name, postcode on file, and account number (check a recent billing email if unsure).
4. State clearly: "I want to cancel my subscription effective immediately and request written confirmation."
5. Listen for and note the cancellation reference number they provide.
6. Ask: "When is the last date I will be charged?" - this tells you exactly when your paid period ends.
7. Request they send an email confirmation to your registered email address.
   • Repeat your email address clearly to avoid typos.
8. End the call and save your reference number in a safe place.
9. Wait for the email confirmation (usually within 2 hours). If it doesn't arrive, call back with your reference number and ask them to resend.

Warning: The 0808 number is free in the UK but may be charged differently from India on some carriers. If international calls are expensive, use the online or registered post method instead.

Cancel by registered post (most legally secure)

This method creates a paper trail and is the strongest proof of cancellation if a dispute arises later.

1. Prepare a cancellation letter on plain paper or your letterhead, signed by you. Include:
   • Your full name as it appears on the account
   • Your complete address
   • Your postcode on file
   • Your account number or email address linked to the account
   • The date of the letter
   • A clear statement: "I hereby cancel my Postcode Lottery subscription effective immediately. Please confirm cancellation in writing and confirm the end date of my current paid period."
   • Your signature
2. Address the envelope to:
   • People's Postcode Lottery
     Subscription Cancellations
     Edinburgh (this is the trading address for cancellations - NOT the Birmingham registered office)
3. Send the letter via registered post or a service that provides proof of delivery (e.g., Royal Mail Special Delivery).
   • From India, use a courier service like DHL, FedEx, or your local registered mail provider that provides tracking and proof of delivery.
4. Keep the proof of posting receipt and tracking number in your records.
5. Allow 5 to 10 business days for Postcode Lottery to receive and process your letter.
6. After 10 days, contact them by phone or email to confirm receipt and ask for written acknowledgement of cancellation.

Pro tip: Send your letter to the Edinburgh address only for subscription cancellations. The Birmingham address is registered but not used for cancellations and may cause delays.

Cancel via app store or google play

If you subscribed through an app, stopping the subscription at the platform level is important but not always final.

1. For iOS (App Store):
   • Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
   • Tap your name at the top, then select "Subscriptions".
   • Find "Postcode Lottery" or "People's Postcode Lottery" in the list.
   • Tap it and select "Cancel Subscription" or "Delete".
   • Confirm the cancellation. You'll see an end date for your subscription.
   • Screenshot the confirmation screen showing the end date.
2. For Android (Google Play):
   • Open the Google Play Store app.
   • Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
   • Select "Manage subscriptions".
   • Find and tap "Postcode Lottery".
   • Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm.
   • Screenshot the confirmation showing your cancellation is complete.
3. Critical next step: Even after cancelling in the app store, you must also cancel directly with Postcode Lottery using one of the methods above.
   • This ensures the subscription is terminated at the source, not just the app platform.
   • App store cancellations sometimes don't reach the operator's system.
4. Save both confirmations (app store + operator) in your records.

Warning: App store cancellation is not enough on its own. Stopee has seen many cases where the app subscription was cancelled but Postcode Lottery continued billing through a linked payment method. Always confirm cancellation directly with the operator.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation doesn't mean immediate stoppage; understand your timeline and what to expect.

Your subscription during the paid period

After you cancel, your subscription remains active until the end of the period you've already paid for. If you paid for a monthly subscription on the 15th and cancelled on the 20th, you stay in the lottery until the 15th of the next month. You'll be entered into all draws during that time.

When billing stops

No new charge should appear after your paid period expires, provided your cancellation was processed correctly. Monitor your bank statement or app for 30 days after the expected end date to confirm no unexpected charges arise.

Accessing your account

After cancellation, you may still log into your account to view past results or account history, depending on Postcode Lottery's retention policy. Some operators lock accounts immediately; others keep them accessible for reference.

Personal data and deletion requests

You have the right to request deletion of your personal data under data protection law. In your cancellation request, you can ask: "Please delete my personal data from your systems in accordance with data protection regulations." Postcode Lottery must respond within 30 days, though they may retain data for legal or tax purposes for up to 6 years.

Will you receive a refund

Refunds for lottery subscriptions are rare and depend on when you cancel relative to your payment cycle.

General refund policy

Lottery subscriptions are non-refundable as a rule. Once you've paid for a period, that payment covers your entry into all draws during that time. Cancelling midway through a paid period does not entitle you to a pro-rata (partial) refund for unused days.

Exceptions when you can claim a refund

• Charges after cancellation: If you receive a billing charge after you've confirmed cancellation, you can dispute it and request a refund. Provide your cancellation confirmation (email, reference number, or registered post receipt) as evidence.
• Unauthorized or erroneous charges: If a charge is clearly wrong (e.g., double-charged, charged in the wrong currency, or charged without your consent), you can request a refund with proof.
• Payment failure: If payment fails and the lottery operator attempts to charge you multiple times without your consent, each unauthorised attempt can be refunded.
• Service failure: If Postcode Lottery fails to provide the service (e.g., doesn't enter you in draws during your paid period), you may have grounds for a partial refund.

Cooling-off period and consumer rights

In the UK and India, lottery subscriptions are generally not covered by the standard 14-day cooling-off period that applies to other online purchases. This is because lottery draws are considered instant services - once a draw occurs, the service has been delivered. However, if you believe Postcode Lottery has breached the terms of service or engaged in unfair commercial practices, you can escalate to the relevant consumer authority.

In India, you can file a complaint with the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) if charges continue after cancellation or if the operator refuses reasonable refund requests. Stopee recommends keeping all evidence (cancellation confirmations, bank statements, emails) for at least 12 months.

Your consumer rights and protections

Know your legal standing if Postcode Lottery doesn't cancel or continues charging.

Consumer protection in india

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (India) protects you against unfair trading practices. If Postcode Lottery continues charging after you've cancelled, or if they misrepresent their refund policy, you can lodge a complaint with your local Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission or the CCPA.

Payment and banking protections

If Postcode Lottery continues to charge your credit card or debit card after cancellation, you can also dispute the charge directly with your bank:

• Contact your bank's fraud or dispute team.
• Provide proof of cancellation (email, reference number, registered post proof).
• Request a chargeback for any unauthorised post-cancellation charges.
• Banks typically investigate and may reverse the charges within 30 to 60 days.

Escalation if postcode lottery refuses to cancel

If Postcode Lottery ignores your cancellation requests or continues charging, follow this escalation path:

1. Send a formal written notice (registered post) to the Edinburgh address, stating that cancellation has not been honoured and you are requesting an immediate stop to charges within 14 days, or you will escalate to authorities and dispute the charges with your bank.
2. Wait 14 days for a response.
3. If no response, file a complaint with the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) in India or the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) if the operator is regulated there.
4. Simultaneously, dispute any post-cancellation charges with your bank.

Stopee advises keeping detailed records throughout this process: cancellation dates, confirmation numbers, bank statements, and all correspondence.

Common mistakes when cancelling postcode lottery

It can be frustrating when cancellation doesn't stick the first time, but most problems are avoidable.

Not cancelling directly with the operator

The biggest mistake is cancelling only through the app store and assuming it's done. App store cancellation stops billing at the app level but may not reach Postcode Lottery's backend system. Always cancel directly with the operator as well.

Not saving confirmation proof

If you delete your email confirmation or lose your reference number, you have no proof of cancellation if a dispute arises. Save every confirmation email, screenshot, reference number, and registered post receipt for at least 12 months.

Expecting immediate refunds

Cancellation stops future charges but doesn't refund the current paid period. If you cancel mid-month and expect a pro-rata refund, you'll be disappointed. Only unauthorised or erroneous charges are refundable.

Cancelling only by phone without written confirmation

Phone cancellations are quick, but without follow-up written proof, the operator can claim no record of the call. Always request an email confirmation after a phone cancellation and follow up if it doesn't arrive within 2 hours.

Using the wrong mailing address

Sending your registered cancellation letter to the Birmingham address (registered office) instead of Edinburgh (trading address) will cause delays or rejection. Always use Edinburgh for subscription cancellations.

Pricing and payment details

Postcode Lottery pricing varies by region and payment method.

Typical pricing structure

Postcode Lottery does not currently offer a dedicated India-specific subscription plan through official channels. If you're subscribed from India, you're likely paying through a UK or international payment method, and your charges appear in GBP (pounds sterling) or your local currency conversion.

Typical UK pricing ranges from £1 to £5 per week, depending on the draw type and prize pool. From India, converted to INR, this typically appears as ₹100 to ₹500 per week on your statement.

How to check your current charges

• Log into your Postcode Lottery account and view "Billing" or "Payment History".
• Check your bank statement for weekly or monthly charges labelled "Postcode Lottery" or "People's Postcode Lottery".
• If charges are in a foreign currency (GBP), your bank will show the converted amount in INR.
• Contact Postcode Lottery support at 0808 109 8765 if your charge amount seems incorrect.

Checklist before and after cancellation

Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation is complete and protected.

Postcode lottery cancellation address

If you're cancelling by registered post, send your letter to this address only:

People's Postcode Lottery
Subscription Cancellations
Edinburgh
Scotland, United Kingdom

Critical reminder: Use the Edinburgh address, not Birmingham. The Birmingham address is a registered office but is not monitored for subscription cancellations and will cause delays.

When mailing from India, use DHL, FedEx, or your local registered courier service to ensure proof of delivery. Allow 7 to 14 days for international transit plus 5 to 10 business days for processing.

Summary: your path to a successful cancellation

Cancelling Postcode Lottery doesn't have to be complicated if you follow the right steps. Start with your preferred method - online is fastest, phone offers immediate human confirmation, and registered post provides the strongest legal proof. Save all confirmations, verify your billing end date, and monitor your bank statement for 30 days after that date to ensure no stray charges slip through.

If Postcode Lottery ignores your cancellation or continues charging, you have consumer protections under Indian law and banking dispute mechanisms to fall back on. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate exactly this situation, and with your cancellation proof in hand, you're in a strong position to resolve any dispute quickly.

Don't let a forgotten subscription drain your budget. Act today: choose your cancellation method, gather your account details, and send your cancellation request now. Stopee is here to ensure your cancellation sticks - visit stopee.com for follow-up support and to file a complaint if Postcode Lottery fails to honour your cancellation.