UKGC Hides Allwyn's EuroMillions Sales Data
Regulator releases 20 years of historical data but redacts figures from the start of the new National Lottery operator's licence, citing commercial sensitivity.
The UK Gambling Commission has released two decades of EuroMillions sales data but has withheld figures since Allwyn took over the National Lottery licence in February 2024. The regulator cited commercial interests and confidentiality as reasons for the redaction.
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20 Years of Lottery Data Released, But New Operator's Figures Kept Secret
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has withheld recent EuroMillions sales data following the takeover of the National Lottery by new operator Allwyn. In response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, the regulator released 20 years of historical sales figures but redacted all data from the start of Allwyn's tenure on 1 February 2024.
The decision highlights a new era of commercial sensitivity surrounding the National Lottery, raising questions about transparency under the fourth licence.
What the FOI Request Revealed
A request dated 6 May 2025 asked for a complete breakdown of UK EuroMillions purchases, by draw date, since the game's inception in 2004. The UKGC partially fulfilled this request, providing a spreadsheet containing sales data in pounds sterling from 13 February 2004 to 30 January 2024.
However, the Commission refused to disclose any information from 31 January 2024 onwards. This date marks the end of the third National Lottery licence, operated by Camelot, and the beginning of the fourth licence, awarded to Allwyn.
The UKGC justified its refusal by citing two exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act:
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Section 41 (Information provided in confidence): The regulator stated that Allwyn provided the recent sales data under an obligation of confidence. The UKGC argued that disclosing this information would constitute a breach of confidence and could damage its ability to regulate effectively, as it relies on the free flow of confidential information from operators.
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Section 43 (Commercial interests): The Commission agreed with Allwyn's view that the recent sales data constitutes a "trade secret." It argued that releasing the figures could prejudice the commercial interests of Allwyn and the National Lottery. The UKGC stated that disclosure could allow competitors to adapt their strategies, potentially harming the National Lottery's performance and its ability to generate funds for Good Causes.
Why This Matters for Consumers
The performance of the National Lottery under its new operator is a matter of significant public interest. Sales figures are a key indicator of the lottery's health and directly impact the amount of money raised for Good Causes across the UK.
While the UKGC has released a substantial historical dataset, the refusal to share current data prevents public scrutiny of Allwyn's initial performance. The regulator's public interest test concluded that the need to protect Allwyn's commercial position and maintain a confidential relationship outweighed the public's interest in immediate transparency.
The Commission did note, however, that the information is not being kept secret indefinitely. It stated that Allwyn is scheduled to publish its Annual Report and Accounts, which will include some form of this data, by the end of June 2025. Until then, the performance of one of the UK's largest gambling products under its new steward remains behind a veil of commercial confidentiality.