UKGC Withholds Lottery Sales Data, Cites 'Trade Secret'
Regulator denies public access to Allwyn's game-by-game performance figures but confirms no recent changes have been made to the Lotto game.
The UK Gambling Commission has refused to release detailed National Lottery sales data from new operator Allwyn, citing commercial interests and classifying the information as a 'trade secret'. The regulator did, however, confirm that no material changes have been made to the Lotto game.
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UKGC Blocks Release of National Lottery Sales Figures
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has refused to release a detailed breakdown of National Lottery sales data, classifying the information as a 'trade secret' and commercially sensitive. The decision came in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request dated 3 March 2025, which sought quarterly sales figures for each game since operator Allwyn took over the licence.
The request also questioned whether recent changes had been made to the Lotto game, following a public perception of more frequent jackpot winners. The Commission confirmed that "no material changes have been made to the Lotto game since the commencement of the Fourth National Lottery Licence period on 1 February 2024."
A Matter of Public vs. Commercial Interest
Transparency regarding the performance of the National Lottery is a key area of consumer interest. The data provides insight into which games are popular and how much revenue is being generated for Good Causes under the new operator, Allwyn. However, the UKGC has determined that releasing this specific data is not in the public interest at this time.
In its formal response, the Commission invoked two exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act 2000:
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Section 41 (Information provided in confidence): The UKGC stated that Allwyn provided the sales data with the expectation of confidentiality. The regulator argued that disclosing it would constitute a breach of confidence and could damage its ability to receive sensitive information from operators in the future.
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Section 43 (Commercial interests): The Commission sided with Allwyn's view that detailed, recent sales data constitutes a 'trade secret'. It argued that disclosure could prejudice the commercial interests of Allwyn and the National Lottery by allowing competitors to adapt their strategies. This, the UKGC claims, could negatively impact the operator's ability to meet its forecasts for Good Causes funding.
What This Means for Consumers
The UKGC's refusal highlights the significant barrier to public transparency posed by commercial confidentiality. While the regulator acknowledges a public interest in holding it and the operator to account, it has concluded that protecting Allwyn's commercial position takes precedence.
For consumers and observers wanting to scrutinise the early performance of the new National Lottery licence, this decision means a significant wait. The Commission did note that the information is expected to be published "in at least some form" by Allwyn in its Annual Report and Accounts, which are scheduled for release by the end of June 2025.
Until then, detailed insight into the performance of individual National Lottery games under the new operator will remain undisclosed, with the regulator prioritising the commercial sensitivity of the data over immediate public disclosure.