UKGC Releases Lottery Sales Data
FOI request reveals detailed breakdown of Lotto and EuroMillions ticket sales for the 2022-2023 financial year.
The UK Gambling Commission has released detailed ticket sales data for Lotto and EuroMillions for the 2022-2023 financial year. The disclosure, made under a Freedom of Information request, breaks down sales by month and draw day, offering new transparency into the National Lottery's performance.
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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published detailed ticket sales data for the National Lottery's flagship games, Lotto and EuroMillions, following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
The data, which covers the 2022-2023 financial year, provides a granular look at consumer spending on two of the UK's most popular gambling products.
Why This Data Matters
For consumers, this disclosure offers a rare, detailed insight into the operational scale of the National Lottery. While total sales figures are often publicised, this release breaks down sales by month and even by individual draw day. This level of transparency allows for a greater understanding of national gambling habits and the performance of lottery games, which contribute significant funds to good causes.
Understanding these trends is crucial for consumer protection, as it helps regulators, researchers, and the public monitor the scale of lottery participation across the country.
What the Disclosure Reveals
A member of the public submitted an FOI request, dated 27 July 2024 on the UKGC's website, asking for a comprehensive breakdown of lottery ticket sales for two consecutive financial years: 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.
The specific information requested included:
- Lotto: Total monthly ticket sales, with separate figures for Wednesday and Saturday draws.
- EuroMillions: Total monthly ticket sales, with separate figures for Tuesday and Friday draws.
The UKGC granted the request with a 'Full disclosure' outcome, making the information it holds available in a spreadsheet file on its website.
However, the provided file is titled "Lotto & EuroMillions ticket sales for the years 2022 - 2023". This suggests that while the request asked for data up to 2024, the information released by the Commission only covers the 2022-2023 period. The data for the most recent financial year (2023/2024) does not appear to be included in the release.
The disclosed spreadsheet contains monthly sales figures for both games, allowing for analysis of which draws are more popular and how sales fluctuate throughout the year.
Industry Significance
This release marks a significant step in the transparency of the National Lottery's operations. By providing a draw-by-draw breakdown, the data allows for a deeper analysis of player behaviour than previously possible with public data.
For example, it can show whether the higher-jackpot Friday EuroMillions draw consistently outsells the Tuesday draw, or how the popularity of the Saturday Lotto draw compares to its midweek counterpart.
While the UKGC has not provided commentary on the figures, their publication empowers independent analysis. This data serves as a valuable resource for anyone researching gambling trends, operator performance, and the effectiveness of regulatory oversight in the UK.