UKGC: No Data on Lucky Dip Jackpot Wins
Regulator confirms it does not track whether EuroMillions jackpots are won via randomly selected or player-picked numbers, a key question for many lottery participants.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission does not collect data on how many EuroMillions jackpots are won by Lucky Dip tickets. This means the regulator cannot officially confirm the success rate of randomly generated numbers versus player-selected ones.
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Regulator Does Not Track Winning Method
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) does not hold data on the number of EuroMillions jackpots won by Lucky Dip tickets in the UK.
The request, dated 8 January 2023, asked the regulator for the exact number of outright EuroMillions jackpot wins in the UK that came from Lucky Dip purchases, where numbers are randomly generated at the point of sale.
In its response, the UKGC stated that it does not collect this information. The Commission confirmed that after a check of its records, it could not provide any data on the split between jackpots won via Lucky Dips versus those won by players choosing their own numbers.
Why the Data Isn't Collected
The Gambling Commission explained that collecting this level of detail falls outside the scope of its regulatory duties concerning the National Lottery. Its primary responsibilities are to ensure the lottery is run fairly, to protect the interests of participants, and to maximise returns for Good Causes.
The regulator's response noted: "The Commission is responsible for licensing and regulating the National Lottery... we do not collect details on the split you have requested."
While the UKGC does not hold the information, it suggested that the lottery operator might. The response stated: "This information may be processed by Camelot as the operator of the National Lottery but it is not information we are required to collect in support of our regulatory functions."
Significance for Consumers
For lottery players, this disclosure highlights a significant gap in publicly available, official data. Many participants debate the merits of using a Lucky Dip versus selecting their own numbers, often based on personal beliefs or anecdotal evidence. The confirmation that the official regulator does not track this information means there is no definitive, official answer to the long-standing question of which method is more 'successful'.
While the statistical probability of any single set of numbers winning remains the same regardless of how they are chosen, data on past wins could inform player behaviour and perceptions. The absence of this data from the regulator means consumers must rely on information that may be released by the operator, which is not gathered as part of a formal regulatory requirement.