Millions of players across the UK are being notified of a significant planned digital shutdown for The National Lottery. The organisation's website and mobile applications will be taken offline for approximately 24 hours this weekend to implement a major technological upgrade.
When and How the Shutdown Will Affect Players
The scheduled downtime will begin at 11pm on Saturday, 24 January 2026. Both the national-lottery.co.uk website and the official iOS and Android apps will remain paused until the end of Sunday, 25 January. Operator Allwyn has confirmed that players will be able to log in and participate in online games right up until the 11pm cut-off on Saturday. The draws for Lotto and Thunderball will also take place as normal from 8pm that evening.
During the 24-hour period when digital channels are unavailable, players will still be able to purchase physical tickets at any of the 43,500 retail outlets nationwide. Results and detailed prize breakdowns will be accessible on YouTube and in-store. Winnings from retail tickets of up to £500 can be claimed at the point of purchase as usual.
What Changes to Expect After the Upgrade
Allwyn states that this upgrade is a key phase in its ongoing transformation, moving the accounts of its 11.8 million active registered players to a new system. Once services resume, players will notice several alterations designed to improve the experience.
Key improvements will include:
- A refreshed look and feel while keeping the core experience familiar.
- A new payment screen and a simpler process for checking results, playing games, and claiming prizes.
- Enhanced player protection tools, including mandatory deposit and spend limits for all new customers.
- Automatic logouts after 60 minutes of inactivity, with a 10-minute cooling-off period.
- Regular 20-minute "reality check" reminders for players of instant win games.
App users who have auto-updates enabled will receive the new version automatically. Others will be prompted to update the app the next time they open it. Allwyn has emphasised that these digital enhancements are a "springboard for even more exciting plans" in the coming months.
Commitment to Good Causes and Responsible Play
Allwyn CEO Andria Vidler commented that the upgrades mark a milestone in making The National Lottery more player-focused. She reiterated the company's ambitious goal to double weekly returns to Good Causes from £30 million to £60 million per week by 2034.
This is not the first such shutdown; a similar 36-hour pause occurred in late July to accommodate the largest tech upgrade in the lottery's 31-year history. Players are reminded to always engage responsibly, set spending limits, and view the lottery as a form of entertainment that supports good causes, not a source of income.
