About us
The Power of Postcodes
The Postcode Lottery Group is an international organisation driven by a social purpose, combining business with ideals. Our purpose is to set up and operate charity lotteries globally, raising as much funding as possible to support initiatives working for a healthier, fairer, greener world – from local grassroots charities to large international NGOs.
It is our aim to attract as many players as possible, spreading joy with entertainment and exciting prizes. Using postcodes (zip codes) as ticket numbers, neighbours come together to win in monthly draws. Part of every ticket price goes directly to charities, meaning every single player is contributing to positive change. This is how we turn a postcode into a ticket for good - a concept we call the Power of Postcodes.
A safe, sustainable lottery model
Our subscription-based lotteries are among the safest games of chance in the world. With a strong commitment to long-term and unrestricted funding, our charity partners have the freedom to use funding where it is needed most, enabling them to achieve maximum positive impact. Thanks to the millions of loyal people who play, we can commit to long-term partnerships.
Giving with purpose
Since the launch of our first Postcode Lottery in the Netherlands in 1989, we have raised over €14.5 billion for more than 1,300 charities and thousands of projects worldwide. In 2024 alone, our charity partners received €969 million. These contributions have made us the third-largest private donor globally, following the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust (2021). With 14.8 million subscribers across five nations in Europe, we have a strong and growing player base.
An international team
The Postcode Lottery Group is a private company fully owned by the non-profit Novamedia Foundation. We have offices in Amsterdam, Stockholm, Edinburgh, Düsseldorf, Oslo and London. Every day, our dedicated teams collaborate to grow our impact and help make life better for everyone.
Join us in turning postcodes into a force for good.
Beethovenstraat 200
1077 JZ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
info@postcodelotterygroup.com
Tel: +31 (0)20 664 09 78
Fax: +31 (0)20 679 75 06
The Power of Postcodes
Watch how postcodes have the power to transform lives:
Vision & mission
VISION
Why
Strong communities and charities contribute to a better world, playing an important role in creating a healthier, fairer, greener world.
MISSION
How
By running our lotteries, we raise long-term funding for our local and international charity partners and increase awareness of their work.
STRATEGY
What
Our fun lotteries are a unique way of community fundraising. Neighbours win together and communities locally and globally benefit from charity funding.
Key elements of the lottery format
Postcode Lottery is a subscription lottery which raises money for charities. Not only do our players win prizes, good causes also receive essential support. Winning and supporting society together.
The Postcode Lottery format in a nutshell: 8 key elements.
Funding charities
From local to worldwide
We help raise money for social organisations of all sizes, from community level to international good causes and social enterprises. By also funding at a local level, our players can connect to the difference they are making.
Communities winning together
Postcode-based lottery
Tickets are based on postcode. Only playing postcodes are entered into the draws. If a postcode wins, every player in it wins; winning together is more fun.
Television & events
Prime time entertainment
With television programmes and live events we raise awareness for the lottery and the good causes. We believe in the power of prime time entertainment.
Ambassadors
Trust
Our national and international ambassadors are well-known personalities that are committed towards a better world. Together they build trust and raise awareness.
Safe game
Player safety
Postcode lotteries are among the safest games of chance in the market worldwide with many safeguards hardwired into our model and our values.
Subscription-model
Sustainable fundraising
The lottery is subscription only. Prizes are paid directly into bank accounts. Sustainable sales lead to sustainable fundraising: since most subscriptions are long-term, our support is as well.
Marketing & communication
Loyalty
Brand building and loyalty. We focus on multi-channel campaigns, joint promotions and ongoing sales. We emphasise awareness of our brands and maintaining a trustworthy reputation.
Customer experience
A personal approach
Excellent service and personal marketing is incredibly important to us. We make sure data and personal information is protected and managed securely.
Growth of Novamedia/Postcode Lottery Group, 1990-2023
Facts & figures
A reliable and loyal funder
The Postcode Lottery Group aims to establish itself as a reliable funding partner, offering sustained and unrestricted support to charitable organisations. Additionally, our goal is to increase annual revenue to expand our support to a broader range of social initiatives.
Research by nfpSynergy (Funding for Impact, 2018) found that many charities would prefer a smaller unrestricted grant to a larger restricted grant, illustrating the value placed on unrestricted funding by charities. This is because of the flexibility it provides, including the ability to use unrestricted funding to fund core running costs, facilitating the overall running of the organisations funded.
These charts show the turnover and contribution to society of all lotteries using our Postcode Lottery format.
Our history
Nationale Postcode Loterij (Dutch Postcode Lottery) was launched in 1989 to raise money for charity organisations that aim to create a fairer, greener world.