Bigger prizes planned for UK National Lottery

Camelot, the operator of Britain’s National Lottery, confirmed Monday that it is to increase the prize pots for its Lotto game following a slump in ticket sales.

Matching five or more balls plus the bonus ball from November will see players win a fixed GBP 1 million, up from an estimated GBP 50,000 which is currently based on sales.

Media reports indicate that the changes follow an in-depth review launched last year after sales dropped 8.8 percent in 2016/17 compared to the preceding year.

Camelot chief executive Nigel Railton said: “It was clear from the review that we needed to create a more appealing and balanced range of games that offers something for everyone.”

The review found that when Lotto changed in 2015, requiring gamblers to pick six numbers from 59, compared to from 49 before, the game resembled its high-stakes sibling EuroMillions too closely because it became harder to win.

Camelot says that the jackpot will only be allowed to rollover five times in the future, compared to 10 currently. The money will roll down to the fixed categories on the sixth draw, boosting the coffers.

Five balls will win at least GBP 1,750 and four GBP 140, both increases from their current estimated values, and three balls will net GBP 30, up from GBP 25 now.

Wednesday’s base jackpot will increase from an estimated GBP 1.8 million to GBP 2 million, and Saturday’s from GBP 3.1 million to GBP 3.8 million.

The maximum amount on a rollover will decrease, however, from GBP 22 million currently to an estimated GBP 11 million on a Wednesday and GBP 12 million on a Saturday.

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