UK lottery enthusiasts will soon have the opportunity to vie for a staggering £1 billion jackpot following a significant makeover of the National Lottery. Allwyn, the operator, disclosed plans to introduce a UK edition of the immensely popular American Powerball game.
In this upcoming game, participants from the UK will be able to join forces with players from the US by paying £4 per line for a chance to scoop the collective jackpot exceeding £1 billion. The winnings will be disbursed over a span of 30 years to fortunate UK victors.
As the National Lottery prepares to implement changes, players will soon enjoy two opportunities to win for every £2 spent on a ticket for the main Lotto game. The transformation is set to roll out on June 7, with a projected increase in the number of Lotto millionaires from around 140 annually to approximately 345.
This upcoming alteration marks the most extensive revamp of Lotto since its inception in 1994, with the inaugural two-round draw scheduled for Wednesday, June 10. Subsequent Lotto draws will continue to take place around 8 pm every Saturday and Wednesday.
Andria Vidler, the Chief Executive of Allwyn, expressed excitement about enhancing the National Lottery experience by introducing new games and innovations. The company’s collaboration with the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) in the US is set to bring Powerball to the UK, with an official launch date yet to be determined.
By diversifying game offerings, Allwyn aims to cater to a broad audience, elevate player engagement, and ensure the enduring relevance of the National Lottery in public discourse. The introduction of new games is anticipated to bolster returns for charitable causes, with the Powerball draw allocating over 30% of ticket proceeds to such endeavors, projecting an additional £1 billion contribution over the initial five years.
In 2025, total National Lottery sales, including both online and in-store purchases, reached £8.1 billion, marking a 3.5% increase from the previous year. Notably, over £1.7 billion was generated for charitable causes encompassing health, education, arts, sports, heritage, and other benevolent initiatives, with £967 million allocated to taxes.
The National Lottery continues to evolve, offering exciting opportunities for players while contributing significantly to societal welfare through enhanced fundraising efforts.