Premium Bonds are held by about 23 million savers in the UK, who buy them for a chance to win the £1 million jackpot as well as a range of smaller prizes. One report discusses the practical cost of holding the bonds for long periods, framing the issue as a trade-off between the possibility of winnings and the fact that many holders may not receive a payout that exceeds what they paid in. The source emphasizes that Premium Bonds ownership is driven by the hope of winning the largest prize, while smaller prizes are also designed to provide potential returns. It also implies that for those who do not win, the opportunity cost and the lack of guaranteed profit mean the bonds can effectively be “costly” over time. The article’s central point is that Premium Bonds are not a savings product with guaranteed returns, and outcomes for individual holders vary depending on prize wins. Overall, the report focuses on what long-term holders could be paying in practical terms when wins do not materialize.