Lotto players across the UK have been left unable to access the National Lottery app and website this morning, following a planned outage for major upgrades. The service disruption, which began in the early hours, has persisted beyond the initial 24-hour maintenance window scheduled over the weekend.
Planned Outage for Network Upgrades
The National Lottery confirmed that the downtime was intentionally planned across its entire network to facilitate significant technological enhancements. Originally, the works were expected to last from 11pm on Saturday through to the end of Sunday, temporarily pausing both the site and mobile application.
User Reports and Current Status
Users started reporting problems with the National Lottery platform from around 4am, with issues continuing past 8am. Despite the planned nature of the outage, the service remains offline for many Lotto players this morning, indicating that the upgrade process may be taking longer than anticipated.
Alternative Methods for Players
During this period of digital unavailability, players are still able to purchase tickets at physical retailers nationwide. Additionally, results and prize breakdowns can be accessed through the National Lottery's YouTube channel and its extensive network of 43,500 retail outlets.
New Features and Enhancements
Operator Allwyn has indicated that players will notice several changes once the website and apps are restored online. These updates include a redesigned payment screen and the introduction of mandatory spend limits for all users.
The company stated that playing games and claiming prizes will be made "even simpler" with these improvements, which will be automatically enabled for app users. Furthermore, Allwyn is implementing enhanced safety measures as part of the upgrade.
Enhanced Player Protections
Key new features focus on responsible gambling practices. Allwyn is introducing mandatory personal deposit and spend limit settings for all new customers. The update will also include automatic logouts after 60 minutes of inactivity, accompanied by a 10-minute cooling-off period.
For instant game players, regular 20-minute "reality checks" will be implemented to promote mindful gaming habits. These changes represent a significant step forward in player protection within the National Lottery's digital platforms.
Looking Ahead
While the current outage may cause temporary inconvenience for digital players, the planned upgrades promise to deliver a more secure and user-friendly experience once completed. Players are advised to utilize alternative methods for ticket purchases and result checks until the digital services are fully restored.
