June news update

Welcome to the National Lottery Commission’s latest news update. If you would like more information on anything covered in the update or would like to receive updates by email, please contact us at info@natlotcomm.gov.uk

£1.6 billion raised for good causes in 2010-11

Figures published this month show that the National Lottery raised £1.6 billion for good causes in the last financial year – one of the best performances in the Lottery’s history. It was the second full year of the third licence to operate the National Lottery which we awarded to Camelot in 2009. The licence gives a greater proportion of ticket sales to good causes and more closely aligns Camelot’s interest in maximising sales with generating money for good causes. The report also showed that £600 million has been raised for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, towards a target of £750 million. Click here to see the report in full.

Commission considering investment proposal to expand National Lottery retailer network

The Commission is considering a proposal from Camelot for additional investment in the National Lottery infrastructure, in return for a five-year extension to the licence to operate the Lottery. The proposal sets out plans to increase the National Lottery retail network by placing an extra 8,000 terminals. We will reach a decision following a thorough consideration of whether the proposal is in the best long-term interests of the National Lottery. Click here to see our press release.

NLC / Gambling Commission Merger update: Appointment of Phillip Graf as Chair of Gambling Commission

Since the last e-newsletter, Phillip Graf CBE has been appointed as Chair of the Gambling Commission. Phillip will lead the proposed merger of the National Lottery Commission and the Gambling Commission and is Chair designate of the merged organisation. This month we met with Phillip to brief him on the work that we do to make sure that the National Lottery is fair and safe for players, and generates as much as possible for good causes. We look forward to working with him more as the merger progresses. You can find out more about his appointment here.

EuroMillions Tuesday draw

A new draw date has been added to the EuroMillions game, meaning there will now be a draw on Tuesdays as well as Fridays. The Commission reviewed Camelot’s plans before the game could go on sale to ensure that the new game would be fair and safe for players. You can see a rationale of our decision to allow the game to go on sale on our website here.