£450m investment to deliver a new era of sustainable growth for The National Lottery

• Allwyn completes biggest transformation of National Lottery retail operations, gaming systems and online capabilities since its launch in 1994 and satisfies the Gambling Commission that the requirements for Fully Implemented Commencement ('FIC') as detailed under the Enabling Agreement have been achieved
• Innovation will create more engaging games, attracting more players, producing more winners, and generating more funds for National Lottery-funded projects
• Changes made as National Lottery sales exceeded £8bn in 2025, the first full year of operation for Allwyn – an increase of 3.5% on 2024¹
• More people played the lottery online, with 1m new active digital users and total digital sales up 9.8% from 2024¹ to £4.1bn
• At least £1.7bn generated for Good Causes – that’s £33m a week, up from £30m a week when Allwyn took over operation of The National Lottery in February 2024

The future growth of The National Lottery has been strengthened after operator Allwyn delivered the biggest transformation of its operations and technology since its launch in 1994, one of the most complex transitions undertaken worldwide. Through meticulous planning, testing and execution, Allwyn delivered more than 30 new systems – moving tens of thousands of retailer records, 18 million player records and over three billion historical transactions from old platforms to new ones.   

Allwyn’s upgrade last summer of its core retail technology in its 43,500 retail partners and gaming systems was followed by the transformation of its digital capabilities earlier this year. The unprecedented changes allow for greater player protection and increased innovation both in retail and online. The £450m investment unlocks a comprehensive programme of new games to produce more winners and attract more players and generate more money for Good Causes.

Allwyn’s first full year as the operator of The National Lottery also saw a significant growth in sales: £8.1bn in 2025, up 3.5% on the previous year. More than £1.7bn was generated for Good Causes in 2025, the equivalent of £33m every week, up from £30m a week when Allwyn took over operations in February 2024. 

In addition to money generated for National Lottery funded projects, almost £1bn (£967m) was raised in National Lottery Duty for the Treasury in the same period. 

The National Lottery is the UK’s biggest single funder of the arts, sports, heritage and community outside Government. Allwyn is on track to double the amount the National Lottery generates for Good Causes from £30m a week to £60m a week by the end of the licence in 2034.

Allwyn’s transformation of The National Lottery’s digital capabilities – through wholesale overhauls of The National Lottery website and apps – is essential to bringing in a new generation of players and ensuring it continues to deliver week in, week out for the Good Cause beneficiaries who rely on its funding.

A record 12.1m people now play the National Lottery on digital platforms, with 1m more users logging on in 2025. In total, National Lottery digital sales hit £4.1bn in 2025, up 9.8% on 2024. Digital sales now account for 51% of all National Lottery sales, the first time digital has represented more than half of sales in its 31-year history.

The National Lottery’s retail estate has also been transformed with the nationwide rollout of new state-of-the-art terminals, which speed up transactions for retailers and players alike. The programme that spanned the length and breadth of the UK, with more than 41,000 outdated legacy terminals having now been swapped out.

From small corner shops and local newsagents to larger convenience stores and supermarkets – with independents making up the majority – Allwyn’s retail partners are the backbone of The National Lottery. With 94% of UK adults living or working within one mile of a National Lottery terminal, Allwyn is supporting high streets in every corner of the UK. 

And with hundreds of lottery grants in every postcode district – ranging from world-class heritage projects to life-changing community projects, as well as funding Olympic and Paralympic athletes – most people in the UK will have benefited from a National Lottery-funded project at some point.

Andria Vidler, the CEO of Allwyn UK said: “Allwyn is committed to restoring the magic to The National Lottery and delivering long-term growth. Being the guardian of this unique UK institution is a privilege and a responsibility we take incredibly seriously.

“We are delighted to have delivered growth to The National Lottery while 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.”

The National Lottery fact file:

• Biggest transformation of operations and technology since launch in 1994
• £8.1bn in the first full year of operation by Allwyn, 3.5% increase on 2024 
• More than £1.7bn generated for Good Causes in 2025, on average £33m every week
• £967m raised in National Lottery Duty for the Treasury in 2025
• Over £450m: Allwyn’s investment to date in The National Lottery’s transformation
• A record 12.1m people now play The National Lottery on digital platforms, up by 1m on 2024
• Digital sales hit £4.1bn in 2025, up 9.8% on 2024
• More than 41,000 outdated retail terminals have now been swapped out
• EuroMillions saw a historic run in 2025, culminating in its highest ever sales of over the course of the year at £2.1bn 
• Best-ever returns to Good Causes generated by a single EuroMillions roll series in June 2025 at £190m
• Instant Win Game sales were the highest ever at £1.2bn, up 10% on 2024¹

About Allwyn and The National Lottery

Allwyn operates The National Lottery® under licence, raising vital funds that help communities thrive across the UK. Every ticket makes a difference - from grassroots sport and local arts to heritage and community initiatives. Distribution of funds is managed by independent bodies.

• Players of The National Lottery raise around £33 million every week for National Lottery-funded projects. Since its launch in 1994, more than £53 billion has been raised, funding over 680,000 Good Cause projects in every part of the UK. In every postcode district, most people will have benefited from a National Lottery-funded project at some point.
• The National Lottery has awarded players over £103 billion in prize money, creating more than 8,000 millionaires.
•  Learn more about Allwyn and The National Lottery at www.allwyn.co.uk and www.national-lottery.co.uk. · Explore projects funded in your area at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk.
• Players must be 18 or over. Please play responsibly.

Press enquiries: Allwyn Press Office - 020 7632 5711

¹ Like-for-like is defined using 11 months from 2024, dividing by 11 and multiplying by 12 to gross up a full year equivalent value