Cool Cash

Forgotten Games · 2007

Published 6 September 2026

Cool Cash was a £1, winter-themed UK National Lottery scratchcard operated by Camelot. Players had to reveal a temperature lower than the comparison value shown, but negative numbers caused confusion among some customers and at least one retailer. In the best-known dispute, −6 and −7 were read as winning values against −8, although both are mathematically higher and therefore warmer. Camelot maintained that the instructions were clear but withdrew the game within days because of the potential for confusion. Newspapers reported dozens of complaints on its first day.

Why It Mattered

Its significance lies in showing how a mathematically correct comparison can still prove difficult in an everyday setting. The episode became an example in mathematics and numeracy literature of problems ordering signed numbers, as well as the gap that can exist between formally expressed rules and practical comprehension.

How the Temperature Game Worked

Players had to uncover a temperature lower than the comparison figure shown on the card.
On the disputed card, −6 and −7 were higher and warmer than −8, so the terminal classified it as a non-winner.
The controversy concerned interpretation of signed numbers, not a demonstrated terminal fault or an unpaid valid prize.

Launch, Complaints and Withdrawal

The game launched on 29 October 2007 and was removed from shops on 2 November 2007.
The Manchester Evening News identified the best-known complainant as 23-year-old Tina Farrell of Levenshulme, Manchester; a retailer initially agreed with her reading before the terminal rejected the card.
Camelot received “dozens” of complaints on the first day and withdrew the game because of the potential for player confusion.

Numeracy Legacy and Later Namesakes

Mathematics and numeracy publications later used the incident to illustrate difficulties with ordering negative numbers.
The 2007 game remains defunct, although the story continues to circulate in educational and quiz material.
Camelot later reused the Cool Cash name for an unrelated £1 symbol-matching game; its rules and game number do not belong to the withdrawn edition.

Associated With

Camelot UK Lotteries - National Lottery game operator

Defining Feature

A temperature-comparison game whose negative values caused player confusion

Status

Defunct - withdrawn because of the potential for player confusion

Primary Records

Image Sources

Rights Notice

Images are included for historical and archival reference.

Rights holders may contact Forgotten Archive through the publishing account to request a credit correction or removal.

Gallery

Front of a pale-blue £1 National Lottery “Cool Cash” scratchcard. Large white-and-purple title lettering appears above a cartoon penguin wearing a green scarf. Scratched play areas show “Today’s Temp” as −08°C and four “Your Temp” rows with temperatures, prize amounts and black pen marks. — Source
Credit
Unistalker
Licence
Historical Ephemera
Displayed for commentary and research. Fair dealing under the UK CDPA 1988 applies only where its conditions are met. No permission for reuse is granted.
Caption
Front of the £1 “Cool Cash” card, showing the penguin artwork and a completed negative-temperature game grid.

Blue £1 “COOL CASH” National Lottery scratchcard with a cartoon snowman at left, scratched temperature panels and four “PRIZE” boxes at right; text along the bottom says “WIN UP TO £5,000.” — Source
Credit
Manchester Evening News
Licence
Historical Ephemera
Displayed for commentary and research. Fair dealing under the UK CDPA 1988 applies only where its conditions are met. No permission for reuse is granted.
Caption
The £1 National Lottery “Cool Cash” card, built around comparing scratched temperature values for prizes of up to £5,000.