The National Lottery's Lotto game is undergoing its most significant transformation since its inception in 1994, introducing a new format that gives players two opportunities to win from every £2 line starting Wednesday, June 10. This major overhaul, announced by operator Allwyn, aims to boost the number of millionaires created annually while adjusting prize structures for lower-tier matches.
How the new format works
Each £2 line will now be entered into two separate draws, each featuring its own set of six main balls and a bonus ball, drawn using two distinct machines. Players have the chance to win in round one, round two, or both rounds from a single line. The price remains £2 per line, and the total number of balls stays at 59. Draws will continue on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with the first revamped draw taking place on Wednesday, June 10.
Improved odds and increased millionaires
Allwyn reports that the odds of winning any prize will improve dramatically from one in 9.3 to one in 4.9. The number of Lotto millionaires is expected to more than double, rising from approximately 140 per year to around 345. This translates to an increase from about two millionaires per week to over six.
Prize adjustments for lower tiers
- Matching three balls: reduced from £30 to £10
- Matching four balls: reduced from £140 to £50
- Matching five balls: reduced from £1,750 to £1,000
- Matching two balls: previously a free lucky dip, now £1
Millionaire-making opportunities
There are two pathways to becoming a millionaire: a fixed £1 million prize for matching five numbers plus the bonus ball, and a guaranteed £1 million-plus jackpot for matching all six main numbers. Jackpots will start at £2 million and can roll over up to five times before a mandatory payout at the following draw. The jackpot will be split between both rounds.
Lotto HotPicks also updated
Lotto HotPicks will adopt the same two-round format, remaining priced at £1.
Allwyn's statement
An Allwyn spokesperson commented: "This change will strengthen Lotto's position as the nation's 'millionaire maker' – going from it creating around two millionaires a week to over six. This is based on the fact that the change is expected to more than double the number of Lotto millionaires from around 140 a year to around 345. Because people can now win more than once from a single £2 Lotto line and will win more often also means that, over the course of the year, regular players will likely experience a net benefit in terms of prize money won – for the same purchase price. Players we tested the game with were happy that they'd have two opportunities in every draw to win the £1m+ prizes (at the jackpot and match 5+Bonus Ball tiers) and understood that some of the fixed prizes at the lower tiers have reduced to give them these extra chances of becoming a millionaire."
UK Powerball announced
Allwyn has also unveiled a UK version of Powerball, previously exclusive to the US, which will become the nation's first "£1 billion-plus mega-jackpot game." UK Powerball participants will select five main numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26, or opt for a Lucky Dip. Jackpot winners will receive their prize in annual payments over 30 years. The cost is £4 per line. No official launch date has been confirmed, pending final regulatory approval.
