Allwyn-owned Camelot UK Lotteries reported National Lottery sales for the 2022-23 financial year amounted to PS8.19bn (EUR9.42bn/$10.18bn), helped by record digital sales.
The total for the year ending March 2023 is PS99.6m more than 2021-22. This is the second-highest annual total since 1994, when the National Lottery was launched.
Sales of draw-based games increased by PS9.19m, or PS4.74bn.
Camelot attributed this to EuroMillions’ strong performance, which was aided by 30 draws that offered jackpots exceeding PS100m. Lotto has also performed well despite the fact that there were fewer “Must Be Won” draws during this period.
Instants sales, at PS3,45bn, were PS7.7m more than the previous year. Camelot stated that this was due primarily to players buying Instant Win Games spontaneously to accompany their EuroMillions Tickets.
The increase in instants sales was despite the decline in scratchcard sales. Camelot attributed this to changing consumer habits and a challenging retail environment.
Digital growth
Digital sales, which are a breakdown of how players bought products, reached a record PS3,69bn. This is an increase of PS274.2m over the previous year. Camelot attributed this to the attractive EuroMillions draw and several initiatives, including an update of games based on draws in the National Lottery App.
The mobile device was the choice of chancel with a total digital sale of PS2,76bn across smartphones and tablets. The National Lottery app was downloaded over 2.5 million times in the past year, accounting for 70% of all mobile sales.
In the retail sector, despite the difficult trading conditions in the second half of this year, the sales at the stores rose slightly to PS4.50bn.
Camelot has continued to support and invest in retail partners. The in-store standards programme and cash rewards have helped boost retailer’s income.
Sales commissions of PS254.7m were also distributed among the 43,000 retailers of National Lottery stores, which is equivalent to around PS6,000 per retailer. Since 1994, the National Lottery has paid out PS7.70bn in retailer commissions.
Good Causes Record
The total amount of player winnings was PS4,69bn. This is an increase of PS81.7m over the previous year, and the second highest ever. The National Lottery has created 382 millionaires, which is more than one per day.
Over the period, PS1.88bn, including unclaimed prizes that are transferred to Good Causes 180 days after they were won, was raised for Good Causes. This was a record-breaking amount for the National Lottery, bringing the total raised since the launch of the lottery to over PS47.00bn.
Clare Swindell, Neil Brocklehurst and Camelot’s co-chief executives said: “We are delighted that we have increased National Lottery Sales year-on-year by the second highest level on record. We created almost 400 millionaires as a result.”
The National Lottery has delivered for both players and society during these challenging times.
We have exciting plans for the coming year to make sure that The National Lottery is always in people’s minds and brings them together at important national moments. We are also committed to delivering National Lottery games in a socially responsible and safe manner.
Allwyn takes control
Allwyn will take over the National Lottery on 1 February 2024.
Allwyn acquired Camelot UK earlier this year from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan board. The deal included all Camelot UK activities, including current rights to run the National Lottery up until the time that Allwyn assumes control in the next year.
Robert Chvatal, Allwyn’s chief executive officer, said that the performance of the National Lottery this past year demonstrated the National Lottery’s core strengths in consistently raising funds for Good Causes in a time when consumer spending was under pressure.
“We were thrilled to integrate Camelot in the Allwyn Group earlier this year. Their experience and knowledge will help Allwyn UK to realize its vision for the 4th license.
It is a great pleasure to work with them in delivering The National Lottery this year and for the next decade, as a member of the Allwyn Team. We will continue to maintain steadfast attention on safety play.
