UKGC Releases Partial Lottery Sales Data

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UKGC Discloses 13 Years of Lottery Data, Cites Commercial Harm for Recent Figures

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has released a partial dataset of National Lottery ticket sales following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request filed on 18 November 2022. The data provides a monthly breakdown of ticket sales for draw-based games from February 2009 to March 2022, but the regulator has withheld more recent information, citing commercial sensitivity.

What the Data Reveals

The information, provided in a spreadsheet, details the volume of tickets sold for National Lottery draw-based games. However, the UKGC noted several significant limitations:

• Calculated Figures: The Commission does not directly hold data on the number of tickets sold. The figures were calculated by using the total sales value and the price of different games.
• Limited Scope: The data only covers draw-based games. It excludes sales figures for Scratchcards and Interactive Instant Win Games, as their multiple price points made it impossible for the regulator to calculate ticket volumes from the sales data it holds.
• Incomplete History: Figures for discontinued draw-based games were also excluded, as the UKGC stated it was unable to fully validate the historical data.

This release offers consumers and researchers a 13-year window into the performance of the National Lottery's most traditional products. It provides a baseline for understanding player engagement with games like Lotto and EuroMillions during the Third National Lottery Licence period.

Why Recent Data Was Withheld

The most notable aspect of the response is the refusal to provide any data from March 2022 onwards. The UKGC invoked Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act, which provides an exemption for information deemed commercially sensitive.

The regulator argued that releasing recent sales figures, without the context provided in the operator's formal reports, could be misinterpreted and lead to a misleading picture of the National Lottery's performance. The UKGC stated this could be "damaging to the operator’s commercial interests."

Furthermore, the Commission expressed concern that competitors could use detailed sales data to identify the most popular games and "recreate and promote" similar products. According to the UKGC, this could "adversely affect National Lottery sales, and in turn, the level of returns to Good Causes."

Significance for Consumers and Transparency

In its response, the UKGC acknowledged the public interest in transparency and in understanding the performance of the National Lottery. However, it concluded that the potential harm to the operator's commercial interests and the resulting impact on funding for Good Causes outweighed the public interest in releasing the most recent data.

This decision highlights the ongoing tension between public transparency for a state-licensed monopoly and the protection of its commercial operations. While historical data is now available, the refusal to provide current figures means consumers and watchdogs cannot get a complete, up-to-date picture of lottery sales trends directly from the regulator.