UK National Lottery Sales Reach Record High in First Half of 2021-22 Fiscal Year

The UKs national lottery established a new sales peak in the initial six months of the 2021-22 fiscal period, reaching a total of £3.96 billion (€4.72 billion/$5.31 billion).

Lottery sales rose by 2.7%, or £107.3 million, from April 1 to September 25, compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. The operator attributed the expansion to record digital performance and advancements that ignited interest in the draw games, as well as robust brand exposure from the UK’s coverage of the Tokyo Olympics.

Draw games accounted for the majority of Camelot’s initial half-year sales, increasing by 3.6% to £2.23 billion, driven by year-over-year growth across all products in the portfolio.

Despite fewer rollovers on the EuroMillions lottery, Lotto held several “must-win” draws, activating Camelot’s “Rollover” feature. If the prize money is not claimed within a specific timeframe, it is distributed among all winners, leading to higher payouts for all successful players.

In terms of National Lottery scratchcards and online instant win games, initial half-year sales increased by 1.6% to £1.73 billion. Camelot attributed this to strong retail performance as the UK eased COVID-19 restrictions.

As a consequence, in-store scratchcard sales rose by 6%.

Although online instant win game sales experienced a decrease of 8.8%, lottery sales witnessed a 7% rise annually. Nevertheless, the lottery organization also mentioned that scratch card sales remain below pre-pandemic levels as consumer purchasing habits continue to evolve.

The lottery organization further stated that total retail sales for all products during the period reached £23.4 billion, a 4.5% increase compared to the previous year, solidifying the channel as the National Lottery’s most significant. Retailer commissions experienced a 5.1% growth during the period, reaching £133 million.

The lottery organization collaborates with approximately 44,000 retailers across the UK and expanded its network further in the first half of the year by establishing new partnerships with Aldi and Iceland supermarkets. These partnerships mean that National Lottery draw games are accessible at the checkout counters of about 1,900 stores across the UK.

Meanwhile, digital sales reached a record £16.2 billion. This represents a year-on-year increase of just 0.2%, despite the robust growth in digital sales during the first half of 2020, when players turned to online platforms as retail stores closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a 39.1% surge in sales.

Mobile sales increased by 1.8% to a record £11.5 billion, which the lottery organization attributed to the growing trend of consumers making purchases via smartphones. This growth was fueled by over 795,000 new online registrations.

The National Lottery distributed £22.7 billion in prizes to players in the half-year, a £30.6 million increase compared to the previous year, and in the process, created 184 new millionaires.

Based on its licensing agreement, Camelot Lottery Company retains roughly 1% of its revenue as earnings, with 4% allocated for operational expenditures. After subtracting prize payouts and operational expenses, the majority of funds are directed towards charitable endeavors, with a total of £884.5 million donated over a six-month period, representing a 2.4% increase compared to the previous year.

Since the inception of the National Lottery in 1994, over £45 billion has been returned to charitable causes.

Nigel Railton, the Chief Executive Officer of Camelot, stated: “With robust growth in National Lottery sales, and significant public participation, we are once again showcasing that our approach of providing consumers with a high-quality selection in a secure and convenient manner continues to make a substantial contribution to charitable causes across the United Kingdom.”

“Lotto serves as an indicator of the overall well-being of the National Lottery, so I am incredibly proud that due to a number of enhancements we have implemented to Lotto, we continue to be one of the few major operators globally where sales of our flagship game are consistently expanding.”

Railton further mentioned that Camelot’s extended summer campaign emphasizing the contribution National Lottery participants make to financing the training of Olympic and Paralympic athletes was a key factor driving increased participation. This included hosting two welcome-home events at Wembley Stadium for athletes competing in the Tokyo Olympics.

Mr. Hugh Robertson, the leader of Camelot, stated that this has aided individuals in gaining a deeper understanding of the National Lottery. This parallels the positive perception they garnered after pledging financial support during the initial COVID-19 confinement period.

Relton remarked, “The remarkable sales figures achieved in the first six months of the year demonstrate that the National Lottery continues to make a significant impact, benefiting charitable organizations, participants, retailers, and the government.”

“Following four consecutive years of increased sales, including last year’s record-breaking figures, I extend my sincere gratitude to my team and all those who contribute to the National Lottery, including the retail outlets, for their role in this ongoing success.”

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