UKGC: No Data on Big Lottery Win Locations
FOI request reveals the gambling regulator does not track where winning tickets over £100,000 are purchased.
A Freedom of Information request has confirmed the UK Gambling Commission does not collect data on the retail locations of major National Lottery wins. This means there is no central, official record of so-called 'lucky' shops, as this data is not required for the UKGC's regulatory duties.
Article Content
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) does not hold data on the specific retail locations where major winning National Lottery tickets are sold.
The disclosure confirms that there is no central, official database held by the regulator that lists the newsagents, supermarkets, or petrol stations that have sold tickets resulting in prizes over £100,000.
The Request for Transparency
On 4 August 2025, a request was submitted to the UKGC asking for a comprehensive list of all UK retailers that had sold a National Lottery ticket winning more than £100,000. The request sought detailed information for analysis, including:
- Business name and full address
- Retailer type (e.g., newsagent, supermarket)
- The specific game played (e.g., Lotto, Euromillions, Scratchcard)
The applicant requested all historical data to ensure a complete and transparent dataset, which could be used to identify geographical trends or so-called 'lucky' locations.
Why the UKGC Doesn't Hold the Data
In its official response, the Gambling Commission stated that it does not collect this information, classifying the outcome of the request as "Information not held."
The regulator explained its position by clarifying its role. The UKGC is responsible for licensing the National Lottery, protecting the interests of players, and maximising returns to Good Causes. The Commission stated that collecting granular data on the sales location of every high-value winning ticket is not a requirement for fulfilling these core regulatory functions.
While the UKGC does not hold the data, it noted that this information may be processed by Allwyn, the licensed operator of the National Lottery. However, the Commission is not required to collect it from the operator as part of its oversight.
What This Means for Consumers
The absence of this data at the regulatory level is significant for consumers and researchers. It means that any claims made by individual retailers about being a 'lucky shop' cannot be officially verified through a central, independent source. While lottery operator Allwyn may publicise certain win locations for marketing purposes (often with the winner's consent), there is no complete, public-facing ledger maintained by the regulator.
This disclosure highlights the distinction between the operational data held by a gambling operator and the information required by the UKGC for regulatory compliance. For consumers, it confirms that while the National Lottery is robustly regulated to ensure fairness and protect players, the regulator's focus is not on tracking the geographical specifics of individual prize wins.