Why National Lottery ticket sales have fallen ahead of new launch

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleNational Lottery operator Allwyn reported a 7 per cent dip in UK gross gaming revenues to 942 million euros (£814.2 million) and a halving of underlying UK earnings to four million euros (£3.5 million) in the first quarter of 2026. The decline was attributed to challenging comparatives from a record EuroMillions jackpot the previous year and costs associated with a major £450 million tech upgrade. Allwyn completed this significant tech overhaul in Q1, which involved migrating 18 million player records, over three billion historical transactions, and transforming the lottery's website, mobile apps, and retail partner technology. This investment paves the way for the biggest overhaul to the draw-based Lotto game since its 1994 launch, introducing a new format from 7 June that offers two chances to win for every £2 ticket and is expected to more than double the number of Lotto millionaires annually. The upgrade will also facilitate the launch of the National Lottery’s first new draw-based game this summer, a UK-specific version of the global Powerball jackpot, allowing UK players to compete with US counterparts for £4 per line. In fullNational Lottery ticket sales dip ahead of major Powerball launchThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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