UKGC: No Data on Postcode Lottery Winner Frequency
FOI response shows the regulator does not hold detailed draw data, directing consumer queries to the lottery operator.
An FOI request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission does not hold specific data on People's Postcode Lottery draws, such as winner frequency or prize distribution. The regulator confirmed its role is to set licensing conditions, not to collect day-to-day operational information. This clarifies that consumers with detailed questions about draw fairness should direct them to the lottery operator.
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Regulator Does Not Collect Detailed Lottery Draw Data
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) does not hold detailed operational data on People's Postcode Lottery draws, including winner frequency and prize distribution.
The response, published following a request dated 27 August 2024, clarifies the scope of the regulator's oversight and directs consumers with specific draw-related queries to the lottery operator itself.
Context: Understanding Regulatory Oversight
For consumers, understanding who holds specific data is crucial when seeking assurances about the fairness and randomness of a lottery. This FOI response highlights that the UKGC's role is to establish a regulatory framework and ensure compliance, rather than to collect and analyse granular data from every draw conducted by its licensees.
This distinction is important for transparency and shows that the primary responsibility for providing detailed draw statistics lies with the operator running the lottery.
Details of the Request
The FOI request sought specific information regarding the People's Postcode Lottery, asking four key questions:
- Excluding recent joiners, has every player won a prize?
- How many postcodes in the most recent draw had never won a prize?
- Are all draws randomised?
- Have any postcodes won a prize of more than £1,000 more than once?
In its official response, the Gambling Commission stated: "Following a search of our records I can confirm that no information falling within the scope of your request is held by the Gambling Commission."
The regulator explained that while it is responsible for licensing lottery operators like People's Postcode Lottery and setting the rules they must follow—known as the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP)—it does not "regularly collect the day to day operational information you have requested as part of our regulatory functions."
Significance for Consumers
This outcome clarifies the division of responsibilities within the UK's gambling regulation system. The UKGC sets the high-level requirements for fairness, security, and transparency that all licensed operators must meet. However, the operator is responsible for implementing these rules and maintaining the specific records of its own operations.
The Commission's response suggests that the information sought by the requestor "may be held by the the appointed External Lottery Manager (ELM), who run the lottery on their behalf."
For consumers with detailed questions about the mechanics of a specific lottery, this indicates that the most direct path to obtaining information is by contacting the lottery operator or its designated ELM, rather than the regulator. The UKGC's focus remains on ensuring the systems and controls operators have in place are robust and compliant with their licence conditions.