Spot the Ball competitions have produced some notable winners over the years, though massive jackpots are rare due to the game’s skill-luck mix and high competition. Here are a few standout wins:
Irene Robertson (2004, £250,000)
Irene, a 69-year-old from South Yorkshire, hit the jackpot with a £250,000 win after 40 years of playing. She credited her late mum, who supposedly nagged her via a séance to “not forget the coupon.” Talk about a ghostly assist. This was one of the last big payouts reported before the game’s popularity dipped.
Len Thornton (1973, £9,500 House)
Len scooped a new house worth £9,500 (about £128,000 today) from Standen Homes. Imagine winning a house by guessing where a ball might be; beats my mate Dave’s attempt to win a pint at the pub quiz. Celebrities often handed out these prizes, adding some 1970s glam to the victory.
Carole Holmes (1985, £59,500)
Carole bagged the biggest jackpot in the Nottingham Post’s history, worth over £117,000 in today’s money. That’s enough to buy a fancy car and a lifetime supply of dodgy perms from the ‘80s.
Ray Sporton (2007, £20,000)
A Forest fan who kept entering weekly, Ray nailed the spot and walked away with £20,000. Not quite a mansion, but enough to make his mates jealous at the next match.
BOTB Winners (Ongoing, Cars + Cash)
BOTB, the modern king of Spot the Ball, claims over 3 million winners since 1999, with prizes like Lamborghinis and up to £50,000 cash.
For example, Wendy from South Yorkshire drove off in a Lamborghini Urus and £50,000 in 2024.
No word on whether she thanked the judges or just peeled out of the driveway. These wins happen weekly, but the cars aren’t always brand-new; sometimes they’re sourced quickly for the handover, like a 54-plate model spotted in a 2015 video.
The catch? Big wins are tough. At its 1970s peak, 3 million people played weekly for a £250,000 jackpot that was rarely won; think finding a needle in a haystack while blindfolded.
By 2015, The Guardian noted no jackpot had been paid since 2004, with only 14,000 players left.
Still, smaller prizes (like £8,500 weekly from Sportech) and BOTB’s regular car giveaways keep the dream alive. It’s not Powerball, but for a few quid, someone’s always walking away chuffed.
Why It Feels Like a Scam
Let’s be real: when a website’s flashing supercars and cash piles, your scam radar starts beeping like a smoke alarm at a BBQ. Here’s why BOTB’s glitz raises eyebrows:
- Insane Prizes: A Lamborghini Urus or £50,000 in your bank? That’s the kind of stuff you see in movies, not real life. It’s easy to think, “No way they’re giving that away for a 40p ticket.”
- Skeptical Vibes: The internet’s full of “win an iPhone” scams, so anything promising big rewards for small stakes feels like a trap. One punter on Complaints Board called BOTB a “total scam” after a glitchy email confirmation, and that distrust sticks like mud.
- Slim Chances: With thousands of players guessing the ball’s spot, winning feels like trying to convince your nan to use TikTok. Even if you’re a Spot the Ball wizard, someone’s random punt could nick the prize, making it seem rigged.
- Flashy Marketing: BOTB’s slick ads, influencer collabs (like Shmee150), and Goodwood Festival appearances scream “too polished.” It’s like they’re trying to dazzle you into forgetting your common sense.
The prizes are jaw-dropping, but here’s why they’re not fairy dust:
- Business Model: BOTB makes bank from thousands of players buying tickets (40p to a few quid each). If 10,000 people enter at £1 a pop, that’s £10,000 – enough to cover a car’s lease or a cash prize, plus profit. It’s like a lottery, but with skill and better vibes.
- Not Always Brand-New: Some cars, like a 54-plate model in a 2015 video, are sourced quickly for handovers, not always fresh off the lot. Still real, just not quite as shiny as the ads.
- Taxes and Logistics: Winners abroad might face import taxes, and cash options are often more practical. It’s not “free money” – there’s fine print, but BOTB’s upfront about it.
- Volume of Winners: BOTB claims over 3 million winners since ‘99, but most get smaller prizes (cash, gadgets). The Lambo-level wins are rare, like spotting a unicorn at the chip shop, which keeps the dream alive without bankrupting them.
The Real Risks (Not Scammy, Just Annoying)
BOTB’s not a scam, but it’s not a charity either. Watch out for:
- Long Odds: You’re competing against a mob, and judges’ picks can feel random. One player moaned about being 4 pixels off and still losing – ouch.
- Customer Hiccups: Some Trustpilot reviews slam slow responses or instant win credits expiring in 3 days. Read the T&Cs to avoid surprises.
- Addictive Vibes: The “just one more ticket” lure can drain your wallet. Set a budget, or you’ll be eating beans on toast dreaming of Porsches.
BOTB’s not a scam. The Lambos, Porsches, and cash are real, backed by 25 years of winners, a stock market listing, and enough transparency to make a glass house jealous.
The “too good to be true” vibe comes from the glitzy prizes and brutal odds, not a con. It’s a legit skill-based game where you might win big, but you’re more likely to win a headache from squinting at player eye lines.