The latest results show £52 million awarded, with many bondholders urged to check for unclaimed winnings.
Category: Business
The April 2026 Premium Bonds draw has unveiled two new millionaires among its winners, as National Savings and Investments (NS&I) encourages all bondholders to check their accounts for potentially unclaimed prizes.
In this month's draw, the first £1 million jackpot was awarded to a holder from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, identified by the bond number 511HH360429. This winner purchased their bond in August 2022 and holds a total of £50,000 in Premium Bonds. The second jackpot winner, also claiming £1 million, resides in Surrey with the winning bond number 519FV988513, purchased in November 2022, also holding £50,000 in bonds.
In total, NS&I allocated £52,703,000 across 17,699 winners in the April draw, with prizes ranging from £25 to £1 million. This month, three lucky individuals from Wales each won £100,000, contributing to a combined total of over £1.6 million awarded to 567 winners in the region. Other Welsh winners included four who won £50,000, 13 who took home £25,000, 15 who secured £10,000, and 39 who received £5,000.
Across the UK, the total amount won reflects a growing participation in the Premium Bonds scheme, which has become increasingly popular due to its government backing and the allure of potentially life-changing wins. With over 24 million people currently holding Premium Bonds, the chances of winning remain a topic of interest.
Every month, two individuals win the top £1 million prizes, alongside a variety of smaller amounts. The odds of winning a prize with Premium Bonds are approximately 23,000 to 1 for each £1 bond, with the smallest monthly prize being £25. Unlike traditional savings accounts, Premium Bonds do not offer a guaranteed return, making them more of a lottery-style investment.
NS&I has recently come under scrutiny for operational failures that impacted bereaved families attempting to access payouts. Reports indicate that around 37,500 customers were affected, with up to £476 million in deposits involved. Following the backlash, NS&I issued an apology and has committed to contacting the affected estates directly. Pensions Minister Torsten Bell noted that many of these issues stemmed from operational failures reported to the Treasury in December.
In light of these developments, NS&I is urging all Premium Bond holders to check their accounts, especially as unclaimed prizes worth millions may be sitting in inactive accounts. The organization has recommended using their online Prize Checker tool, accessible via the NS&I website or mobile app, to verify bond numbers and check for winnings.
As of April 2026, there are currently 2,754,285 unclaimed prizes valued at £118,216,175. Notably, prizes do not expire, allowing bondholders to claim winnings from as far back as the original 1957 draw. The largest unclaimed prize is worth £50,000 and dates back to June 2019 in Surrey.
In addition to the recent winners, the prize fund rate for Premium Bonds was also adjusted, dropping from 3.6% to 3.3% in April. This change has raised concerns among savers about the diminishing returns on their investments, particularly as NS&I has cut rates on other savings products as well.
Matthew White, site manager for a financial review platform, remarked on the strong performance of Premium Bonds in Wales, attributing it to both regional luck and the perception of safety that comes with government-backed savings. “The latest Premium Bonds draw has seen strong activity in Wales, with 567 winners sharing £1,663,000,” he stated.
As the popularity of Premium Bonds continues to grow, many savers are drawn to the combination of security and the chance of winning substantial prizes, even if the odds can be quite challenging. According to research from wealth management firm Quilter, first-time winners often wait an average of 3.1 years before receiving their first prize, with one in three winners from 2025 waiting over two years.
For those interested in participating, the minimum investment in Premium Bonds is £25, with each £1 bond entering the monthly draw. The unique feature of this savings vehicle is that it allows individuals to protect their initial investment, though the returns are uncertain and depend solely on luck.
As the April results highlight a mix of excitement for winners and concerns over unclaimed prizes and operational issues, NS&I remains committed to ensuring transparency and trust among its bondholders. With the next draw just around the corner, the call to action is clear: check your Premium Bonds account and see if you might be sitting on a hidden treasure.
For those eager to find out if they have won, NS&I advises using the Prize Checker tool available on their website, ensuring that no potential winnings go unclaimed. The continuing evolution of the Premium Bonds scheme reflects the changing dynamics of savings in the UK, balancing the thrill of winning with the need for reliability in financial services.