As part of its week-long UCL200 programme marking two centuries since its founding, UCL has unveiled a packed calendar of events spanning public lectures, research showcases, cultural performances like UCL Illuminated, and the Two Centuries Here exhibition.
Nestled among these celebrations is the Gambling Corner, a small but prominent space intended to offer visitors an “interactive exploration of chance, opportunity and aspiration”, reflecting what organisers describe as a “growing cultural relevance of gambling-adjacent experiences” in the current financial climate. Here are some of the main attractions:
The 200-year Slot
The first installation visitors encounter upon entering the Corner is the 200-Year Slot, a six-reel slot machine. The first three reels contain the full alphabetical range from A-Z, while the latter three feature the digits 0-9, with the jackpot — tuition fees paid in full — being triggered only when all six reels align to spell out U C L 2 0 0.
While the odds of hitting the full sequence are not publicly disclosed, near-misses, such as landing on U C L 2 0 1 or U C S 2 0 0, are said to unlock prizes including commemorative UCL200-branded pens and personalised messages encouraging players to “stay engaged with the journey.”
The UCAS Bicentennial Wheel
At the centre of the attraction sits the UCAS Bicentennial Wheel, a brightly branded attraction pitched reassuringly to prospective students who might be feeling the heat of exam season. The wheel features 20 segments, one of which, according to organisers, “guarantees an instant unconditional offer to study at UCL, no results, interviews, or further assessments required.”
Participants lucky enough to land on the winning segment will be awarded one of 200 reserved “Bicentenary Places”, which they may redeem across a curated selection of “high-demand flagship courses,” including but not limited to Economics, Law, Computer Science, and History.
The remaining segments promise a variety of “meaningful engagement outcomes,” from reserved spots in admissions webinars to inspirational emails about resilience. A nearby promotional poster cheerfully notes that if A-level revision isn’t paying off, it may simply be time to start counting your luck instead.
The big one: UCL200 Lotto
Positioned as the flagship attraction of the Gambling Corner, the UCL200 Lotto invites students to purchase a lottery ticket from a Lotto Booth for a modest price of £4, after which they select four numbers from 1 to 200.
According to organisers, matching all four numbers entitles winners to tuition fees paid in full, alongside complementary food and drink at Union bars for the entire duration of their studies.
Three correct numbers secure fees for a single academic year and a “generous” drinks allowance. Two correct numbers are rewarded with a year of UCL gym membership, while a single match is recognised with a free pizza of choice from the Institute Bar.
Regardless of outcome, all participants will be awarded a digital certificate confirming they have “successfully engaged with the UCL200 experience,” with organisers emphasising that every entrant benefits from a shared sense of participation in the university’s historic milestone.
When asked about expected engagement levels for the event, organisers were confident of a high turnout, noting that what they described as “widespread student financial precarity” could be “leveraged as a strong motivational opportunity” for participation.
“I mean, obviously I don’t expect to win,” said Jack P. Otis, a first-year Arts and Sciences student, when asked about the initiative. “But if I did, that would basically solve everything. Fees, rent, food — I could finally stop stressing about them.”
“If it works out, I’ll finally be able to pay everything off,” he added. “And if it doesn’t, nothing really changes. At least I got to imagine it for a bit.”