The National Lottery is poised to introduce a fresh draw game in the coming weeks, following the completion of a substantial £450 million digital transformation. This major technological overhaul has already attracted an additional one million online participants and driven a significant surge in digital revenue.
Major IT Infrastructure Upgrade Completed
Allwyn, the operator that assumed the National Lottery's ten-year licence from Camelot in 2024, has successfully finalised a comprehensive IT upgrade. This intricate process involved migrating 18 million player records and more than three billion historical transactions from legacy systems to modern platforms. In January, the National Lottery's website and mobile application were temporarily offline for approximately 24 hours to facilitate this critical transition.
Enhanced Player Protections and New Game Potential
The £450 million investment has not only modernised the lottery's digital backbone but also introduced robust new player safeguards. These mandatory protections include personalised deposit and spending limits, automatic logouts after 60 minutes of inactivity accompanied by a 10-minute cooling-off period, and regular 20-minute "reality check" prompts for players engaged in instant win games.
Furthermore, the upgraded systems are specifically designed to enable the swift launch of new games and products, a key strategic goal for Allwyn. The company has indicated that several game launches are now imminent, capitalising on this renewed technological foundation.
Record Digital Engagement and Sales Growth
Newly released figures from Allwyn reveal unprecedented engagement with the National Lottery's digital platforms. A record 12.1 million people played lottery games online via the website and app in 2025, representing an increase of one million players compared to the previous year.
This surge in digital participation translated into substantial financial growth. Digital sales soared to £4.1 billion in 2025, marking a 9.8% increase year-on-year. Overall, including traditional retail ticket sales, total revenue reached £8.1 billion, a 3.5% rise from 2024.
Substantial Contributions to Good Causes and Treasury
The lottery's financial success directly benefits public funding initiatives. In 2025, the National Lottery generated over £1.7 billion for what it designates as 'good causes'. This funding supports a wide array of sectors including health services, educational programmes, arts and culture, sports heritage, and various charitable projects. Additionally, £967 million was raised in tax revenue for the Treasury.
Leadership Optimism for Future Growth
Andria Vidler, Chief Executive of Allwyn UK, expressed considerable optimism regarding the lottery's trajectory. "We are delighted to have delivered growth to the National Lottery while successfully completing the largest international upgrade in lottery history," Vidler stated.
"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," she added, highlighting the operator's commitment to both innovation and social contribution.
The context of this technological advancement follows a notable payout last year, where the lottery firm awarded a 190 million-euro (approximately £164 million) jackpot to a EuroMillions winner. Players can currently participate in draw games like Lotto and EuroMillions, as well as various instant win games, all with the chance to secure prizes.
