National Lottery Set to Introduce New Game Following Major Tech Upgrade
The National Lottery is poised to launch a new draw game within weeks, following the completion of a substantial £450 million digital systems overhaul. This significant investment in technology has enabled the transfer of vast amounts of historical data and is expected to facilitate the introduction of fresh gaming products to attract a broader participant base.
Massive Data Migration and System Enhancements
Allwyn, the operator of the National Lottery, has confirmed the finalisation of a major IT upgrade, described as one of the largest in lottery history. This complex process involved migrating approximately 18 million player records and more than three billion historical transactions from legacy platforms to modernised systems. To facilitate this transition, the National Lottery website and mobile application were temporarily offline for around 24 hours during January.
The comprehensive £450 million upgrade encompassed extensive enhancements to the lottery's digital infrastructure. These improvements are not merely technical but are strategically designed to support the rollout of new games and enhance the overall player experience, potentially drawing in additional participants.
Strengthened Player Protections Implemented
As part of the upgrade, Allwyn has introduced new, robust player protection measures. These include mandatory personal deposit and spending limit settings for all accounts. The system now also features automatic logouts after 60 minutes of inactivity, accompanied by a 10-minute cooling-off period before re-entry. Furthermore, players engaged in instant win games will receive regular 20-minute "reality check" prompts to encourage responsible play.
Digital Growth and Financial Performance
New data released by Allwyn reveals a record number of individuals are now engaging with National Lottery games through digital channels. This surge in online activity contributed to a 10% increase in digital sales during the previous year. Specifically, digital sales reached £4.1 billion in 2025, representing a 9.8% rise compared to the preceding year.
Approximately 12.1 million people utilised the National Lottery via digital platforms, including its website and app, marking an increase of one million users from the year before. Players can access draw-based games like Lotto and EuroMillions online, as well as various instant win games offering immediate prize opportunities.
Overall Sales and Contributions to Good Causes
Total sales for the National Lottery, which include tickets purchased from physical retail stores, amounted to £8.1 billion in 2025. This figure indicates a 3.5% growth compared to the previous year. The lottery's operations generated substantial funds for societal benefits, with over £1.7 billion raised for what are termed 'good causes'. These funds support initiatives across health, education, the arts, sports heritage, and various charitable projects. Additionally, £967 million was collected in taxes.
Leadership Perspective on the Upgrade
Andria Vidler, Chief Executive of Allwyn UK, commented on the milestone: "We are delighted to have delivered growth to the National Lottery whilst successfully completing the largest international upgrade in lottery history. This is a hugely exciting time for the National Lottery and its players, as these much-needed upgrades now allow us to launch new games and products, meaning we can generate more money than ever before for good causes."
Allwyn assumed the 10-year licence to operate the National Lottery in 2024, taking over from Camelot, which had managed the draw since its inception in 1994. The company recently awarded a £164 million jackpot to a EuroMillions winner, underscoring the ongoing scale of its operations.
