Retailers prepare for new Lotto game going on sale
OPERATOR for The National Lottery Allwyn has set up retailers in time for the launch of its new Lotto game on Sunday 7 June.
As part of these preparations, Allwyn has sent out dedicated Launch Boxes to its 43,500 retail partners which contains all the materials needed to guide players through the changes, as well as help retailers to better understand the new game.
Each box includes updated play slips for new Lotto and Lotto Hotpicks alongside refreshed guidance materials and in-store POS materials. This will include player-facing ‘How To Play’ leaflets to help ensure that customers will have clear, accessible information in stores when they buy tickets and claim prizes.
As part of the new Lotto game that launches on 7 June, every £2 Lotto line will give players two chances to win – all for the same price and with the same number of balls to choose from. There will be no changes in how shoppers play the games, ensuring a seamless transition for customers.
Retailers will have the swap out the existing Lotto and Lotto HotPicks play slips to the new ones from 7 June, as the current ones will no longer work after Saturday evening. Allwyn has also recommended store owners to swap these slips after they close on the Saturday evening or first thing on the Sunday morning.
The change will improve players’ changes of winning any prize, says Allwyn, with the odds of 1-in-9.3 going to 1-in-4.9 and is expected to more than double the number of Lotto millionaires from around 140 per year to approximately 345.
Allwyn announced these changes to the Lotto game earlier in 2026 alongside the announcement that it will also introduce the US-based Powerball game for players here in the UK.
To formally close out the old version of Lotto, Allwyn has announced its 6 June draw jackpot as a £12million ‘Must Be Won’ draw so that retailers can use the opportunity to remind customers about the massive prizes on offer as well as that the game will be changing on 7 June.
To support retailers in maximising this opportunity, the launch will also be backed by a multi-million-pound marketing campaign spanning across TV, radio and online channels to help drive awareness, excitement and footfall across stores.
Alison Acquaye-Acford, retail revenue & customer director at Allwyn, said: “The launch of new Lotto marks an incredibly exciting moment for us at Allwyn, for National Lottery players and for our 43,500 retail partners, who are at the heart of making it a success.
“They play a vital role in bringing these games to life in communities across the UK, and we are committed to giving them the tools, guidance and support they need every step of the way.
“From dedicated launch materials to ongoing marketing investment, we’re working closely with our retail partners to help drive excitement, footfall and sales, and ensure the very best experience for their customers.
“All of this will ensure that we collectively continue to build on the £33m a week that is raised for Good Causes across the UK, which is what The National Lottery is all about.”
