National Lottery to halt ticket sales for 36 hours for Allwyn’s tech upgrade

The UK National Lottery will suspend ticket sales for 36 hours during an unspecified weekend in the summer of 2025, as announced by its operator, Allwyn, which took over from Camelot in February 2024. The pause, set to begin at 11 p.m. on a Saturday, leverages the lottery’s overnight non-trading period and the absence of Sunday draw-based games to minimize disruption. This long-delayed technological upgrade, revealed on June 6, 2025, aims to modernize retail point-of-sale terminals and enable new games, but it has raised concerns among retailers and players. Allwyn, a Czech-based company, faced legal and technical hurdles since winning the lottery license, delaying plans to boost funds for good causes. The shutdown is part of a broader £350 million investment to revamp the lottery’s operations. The decision has sparked discussions about its timing and impact on retailers.

The suspension underscores the challenges of transitioning a license held by Camelot for nearly three decades. Allwyn emphasized that the upgrade is vital for enhancing player and retailer experiences.

• Purpose of the pause: To overhaul the lottery’s retail terminal technology.
• Immediate impact: Ticket sales will be halted for 36 hours.
• Scheduled period: Planned for a weekend in summer 2025, date TBD.
• Investment scale: Over £350 million allocated for lottery modernization.

While the exact date remains undisclosed, Allwyn pledged to align the schedule with retailers’ needs to reduce inconvenience. The announcement comes amid scrutiny over Allwyn’s delays in meeting initial targets.

Delays in technological overhaul
The shift to Allwyn’s management has been fraught with setbacks. The technological upgrade, originally slated for 2024, was postponed due to legal disputes and the decision to retain International Games Technology (IGT) as the technology provider. IGT, a long-time supplier since 1994, legally challenged the UK Gambling Commission’s decision to award Allwyn the license, leading to an extended contract that delayed new draw-based games. This impacted sales and contributions to good causes.

Allwyn underscored that its £350 million investment is critical for updating systems and achieving its goal of doubling weekly returns for good causes from £30 million to £60 million by 2034, when its 10-year license ends. The 36-hour suspension, though disruptive, is deemed essential to align infrastructure with long-term objectives.

Legal battles surrounding the license
The handover of the National Lottery license to Allwyn, announced in 2022, triggered significant legal conflicts. Camelot, the operator since 1994, contested the Gambling Commission’s decision, citing flaws in the bidding process. The dispute was settled in February 2023 when Allwyn acquired Camelot for approximately £100 million, though both entities operated separately until the official transition.

Additionally, IGT pursued legal action to seek compensation for the change in operators but later withdrew its case after securing a new technology agreement with Allwyn. Another bidder, The New Lottery Company, owned by media tycoon Richard Desmond, continues to challenge the bidding process, with a case pending in the UK High Court.

• Key legal disputes: Camelot, IGT, and The New Lottery Company challenged the bid.
• Camelot resolution: Acquired by Allwyn in 2023.
• IGT’s action: Dropped after a new technology deal.
• Ongoing case: Desmond’s lawsuit against the Gambling Commission.

These legal hurdles delayed Allwyn’s ability to implement significant changes in its first year of operation.

Impact on retailers
Retailers, who rely on lottery ticket sales for supplemental income, expressed unease about the announced suspension. Andria Vidler, Allwyn’s UK CEO, assured partners that the company would minimize disruptions by scheduling the pause during a low-traffic weekend. Allwyn also committed to providing support, including on-site representatives to address concerns during the transition.

Since taking over, Allwyn introduced retailer-friendly measures, such as eliminating monthly rental fees for compact terminals, potentially saving stores up to £600 annually. Commission contracts for draw-based games, scratchcards, and prize payouts remained unchanged, and direct debit mandates were seamlessly transferred from Camelot.

Recent financial performance
In the first quarter of 2025, Allwyn reported a 6% increase in UK gross gaming revenue, reaching €1.02 billion (£860 million). Growth was driven by a record-breaking €250 million EuroMillions jackpot in March and strong demand for online instant-win games. However, profits halved due to transition costs and delays in launching new products.

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Globally, the Allwyn group, which operates lotteries in countries like the Czech Republic, Greece, and Italy, saw underlying earnings rise 1% to €362.3 million in the three months to March 31. The company attributed sustained demand to the low cost of tickets and a large base of regular players.

Commitment to good causes
Allwyn inherited the National Lottery with a pledge to double contributions to good causes over its 10-year license. Under Camelot, the lottery raised £45 billion for social projects and created over 7,000 millionaires in 28 years. Allwyn aims to surpass this but acknowledged that initial delays will affect short-term targets.

The company introduced a new incentive mechanism in the fourth license, tying Allwyn’s profits to increased funding for good causes. Additionally, Allwyn committed to investing £1 million annually from its profits into social value initiatives, working with commercial partners.

Future plans and innovations
The technological upgrade is a pivotal step for Allwyn to deliver on its modernization promises. The company plans to introduce new draw-based games in 2026, including products inspired by international markets, such as scratchcard advent calendars sold as corporate gifts in the Netherlands. Allwyn also aims to expand its retail presence and invest in marketing to differentiate its offerings.

Another goal is to make the National Lottery carbon-neutral, aligning with global sustainability trends. These initiatives hinge on the successful completion of the technological transition, which faces pressure to avoid further delays.

Industry reactions
The 36-hour suspension announcement sparked varied responses. Some retailers voiced concerns about lost revenue during the weekend, while others view the upgrade as a necessary investment for the lottery’s future. The UK Gambling Commission, which oversees operations, stated it worked closely with Allwyn and Camelot to ensure a smooth transition but faces criticism for potential oversight lapses regarding Allwyn’s commitments.

Players are wary of the suspension’s impact, particularly with high-stakes draws like EuroMillions attracting millions of participants. Allwyn assured that scheduled draws will proceed unaffected, though the sales pause may limit participation in certain games.

Contested bidding process
The fourth National Lottery license, the UK’s largest public service concession, was fiercely competitive. Allwyn outbid Camelot, The New Lottery Company, and Italy’s Sisal. The 2022 selection of Allwyn was praised for its modernization vision but exposed tensions in the bidding process due to subsequent legal challenges.

The ongoing High Court case led by Richard Desmond alleges unfair favoritism toward Allwyn. The outcome could shed light on the Gambling Commission’s handling of the process.

Next steps for Allwyn
With the technological upgrade slated for summer 2025, Allwyn is ramping up preparations to ensure a seamless transition. The company plans to announce the exact date in the coming weeks, allowing retailers and players to prepare. Meanwhile, Allwyn faces the challenge of balancing short-term expectations with its ambitious long-term goals, under scrutiny from regulators and the public.