UKGC: No Live Data on Runner-Up Scratchcard Prizes
FOI response confirms consumers cannot see how many smaller prizes remain on National Lottery scratchcards, only the jackpots.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed that the National Lottery does not provide live data on remaining runner-up prizes for its scratchcards. The UK Gambling Commission confirmed that while top prize information is updated, consumers cannot see how many smaller prizes are left to be won, impacting their ability to make informed purchasing decisions.
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Key Finding: Limited Prize Transparency for Scratchcard Players
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has confirmed that the National Lottery does not provide players with live data on the number of remaining runner-up prizes for its scratchcard games. The response from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), dated 22 March 2025, reveals that while jackpot prize information is updated, the availability of all other prize tiers is not publicly tracked during a game's sales period.
Why This Matters to Consumers
This lack of information means consumers cannot make a fully informed decision when purchasing a scratchcard. A player might buy a ticket for a game advertising numerous prizes of, for example, £1,000 or £100, without knowing if any of those prizes are actually left to be won.
While the top jackpots are the main attraction, the vast majority of prizes fall into lower and mid-tiers. Without live data on these prizes, players may be purchasing tickets for games where the overall prize pool has been significantly depleted, affecting the true odds of winning any prize of value beyond the smallest amounts.
Details of the Disclosure
The FOI request asked the UKGC how a consumer could obtain "up to date information about the remaining (runner-up) prizes other than the jackpot prize" for active National Lottery scratchcards.
In its response, the Commission stated:
- Information on remaining Top Prizes (jackpots) is available on the National Lottery website and is updated within one working day of a win being validated.
- The initial number of prizes across all tiers at the start of a game is detailed in the official Game Procedures for each scratchcard, also available on the National Lottery website.
- However, the UKGC explicitly confirmed that "live information regarding the remaining prizes for prize tiers below the Top Prize, is not available."
The Commission applied a Section 21 exemption under the FOIA, which applies when information is reasonably accessible elsewhere. In this context, it means the information that is publicly available (top prizes and initial prize numbers) can be found on the National Lottery's website. The crucial information sought by the request—live data on runner-up prizes—is exempt because it is not recorded or made available publicly in the first place.
Significance: A Gap in Player Information
The disclosure highlights a significant transparency gap for one of the UK's most popular forms of gambling. While the operator, Allwyn, fulfils its obligation to show the starting number of prizes and the current status of jackpots, players are left in the dark about the availability of all other prizes.
This practice means that scratchcard games can remain on sale long after all mid-tier prizes have been claimed, with players' only remaining hope being a jackpot or a low-value win. For consumers focused on consumer protection and fair value, this lack of data is a critical piece of missing information.