UK lottery enthusiasts will soon have the opportunity to vie for a staggering £1 billion jackpot following a significant reimagining of the National Lottery. Allwyn, the operator, has unveiled plans to introduce a UK edition of the renowned American Powerball game.
Under this new scheme, UK participants will pay £4 per line to join forces with American players in pursuit of the colossal jackpot exceeding £1 billion, which will be distributed over a span of 30 years to UK victors. This groundbreaking development marks a collaboration between Allwyn and the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) in the US, although the exact launch date is pending confirmation.
In a bid to enhance player experience, the National Lottery has also announced that players will now have two chances to win with every £2 ticket for the main Lotto game. This initiative, set to commence on June 7, is anticipated to more than double the number of Lotto millionaires annually, increasing from approximately 140 to about 345.
This forthcoming change represents the most substantial transformation to the Lotto since its inception in 1994. The inaugural two-round draw is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, with subsequent draws slated for approximately 8 pm every Saturday and Wednesday.
Allwyn’s Chief Executive, Andria Vidler, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming enhancements, emphasizing the commitment to delivering more games, entertainment, and innovation to The National Lottery. The introduction of new games is aimed at catering to a diverse audience, revitalizing player engagement, and ensuring the National Lottery remains a prominent national fixture.
The introduction of these new games is expected to bolster contributions to charitable causes, with over 30% of ticket proceeds from the Powerball draw allocated to such endeavors. This initiative is projected to generate approximately £1 billion in additional funding within the initial five years, contributing to the group’s objective of doubling weekly returns to good causes by 2034.
Recent data from Allwyn indicates that total National Lottery sales, encompassing both online and in-store purchases, amounted to £8.1 billion in 2025, reflecting a 3.5% increase from the previous year. Notably, over £1.7 billion was channeled toward various charitable causes, including healthcare, education, arts, sports, heritage, and other philanthropic initiatives, while £967 million was raised through taxes.