A major technical failure has thrown the UK's National Lottery into chaos, forcing the last-minute cancellation of its flagship Saturday Lotto draw. Millions of players were left in limbo after operator Camelot announced the postponement just hours before the numbers were due to be selected.
The problem, described as a "systems issue," prevented the crucial draw from being conducted securely. A Camelot spokesperson confirmed the cancellation, stating, "We have decided to cancel tonight's Lotto draw. We will of course provide a further update to players as soon as possible tomorrow."
This is not the first time the National Lottery has faced disruption. A similar incident in 2022 saw a Lotto draw cancelled due to a technical glitch, highlighting ongoing concerns about the resilience of its systems.
The immediate impact is significant uncertainty for players who purchased tickets for the £4 million estimated jackpot. All eyes are now on Camelot to announce a rescheduled date for the draw and clarify the process for validating tickets.
This disruption raises serious questions about the operational integrity of one of the nation's most recognised institutions. Players and industry observers alike will be awaiting a full explanation from Camelot regarding the cause of the failure and the steps being taken to prevent a future recurrence.
