UKGC Lacks Data on Daily Lotto Sales
Regulator confirms it does not track when Lotto tickets are bought, a Freedom of Information request reveals.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission does not hold data on National Lottery Lotto ticket sales by day of the week. This lack of data extends to when winning jackpot tickets are purchased, highlighting the scope of the regulator's data collection.
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Regulator Does Not Collect Daily Lotto Sales Figures
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) does not hold data on National Lottery Lotto ticket sales broken down by day of the week.
The request, submitted on 6 January 2026, asked the regulator for anonymised, aggregated data showing total Lotto ticket sales for each day of the week. It also sought information on the day that winning jackpot tickets were purchased, with both datasets requested for the most recent full calendar year.
In its response, the UKGC stated that it does not collect this information as part of its regulatory duties.
What the FOI Request Asked For
The request sought to understand consumer purchasing habits related to the flagship Lotto game. The specific information requested included:
- Total Lotto ticket sales (by value or volume) broken down by day of the week (Monday-Sunday) and by nation (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland).
- Anonymised data showing the day of the week on which winning jackpot tickets were sold.
- Any internal notes held by the Commission regarding weekly purchasing patterns.
The Commission's Response
The UKGC's response was definitive: "Having completed a check of our records, I can confirm that the Commission does not collect data on National Lottery Lotto ticket sales by day of the week. Neither do we collect information showing the day of the week on which winning jackpot Lottery tickets were sold."
The regulator clarified its position, stating, "we do not collect the information you have requested as part of our regulatory functions." The Commission's primary role in overseeing the National Lottery is to ensure the interests of participants are protected and to maximise returns for Good Causes.
The response suggested that the operator of the National Lottery, Allwyn, may process this type of detailed sales information.
Significance for Consumers and Transparency
This disclosure clarifies the scope of the data collected by the UK's gambling regulator concerning the National Lottery. While the UKGC is responsible for licensing and regulating the lottery, it does not engage in the granular analysis of daily sales trends.
For consumers, this means that questions about purchasing patterns—such as how many tickets are sold on a draw day versus a non-draw day, or whether there are regional variations in weekly purchasing habits—cannot be answered using data held by the regulator.
The finding underscores the division of responsibilities between the regulator and the operator. Allwyn, as the operator, manages the day-to-day running of the lottery and holds the resulting operational data. The UKGC's role is one of oversight, focused on compliance and licensee conduct rather than detailed market analysis.
Consequently, any public data on daily sales patterns or the timing of jackpot-winning ticket purchases would need to be released by the operator, as the regulator does not hold it.