Lottery Sales Data a 'Trade Secret', Says UKGC
Regulator withholds detailed monthly sales figures for the National Lottery, citing commercial sensitivity on behalf of operator Allwyn.
The UK Gambling Commission has refused to release detailed monthly sales data for the National Lottery, classifying the information as a 'trade secret'. The decision, made in response to a Freedom of Information request, cites the need to protect the commercial interests of operator Allwyn.
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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has refused to release detailed monthly sales data for the National Lottery, classifying the information as a “trade secret” and exempting it from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
The decision, revealed in a response dated 5 September 2025, means that specific monthly performance figures for games like Lotto and EuroMillions, broken down by online and retail sales, will remain private. This limits public and independent scrutiny of the lottery's performance under the new operator, Allwyn.
The Information Request and Refusal
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request asked for a five-year breakdown of National Lottery sales by month, game, and sales channel (online vs. retail). The request also sought data on player numbers and the prevalence of syndicates.
While the UKGC released some historical weekly sales data from 2020-2024, it withheld all data for the current year and refused to provide the requested monthly breakdown. The regulator cited two key exemptions in the FOIA:
- Section 41 (Information provided in confidence): The UKGC stated that the operator, Allwyn, provided the data with the expectation it would remain confidential. The Commission argued that disclosing it would be a breach of confidence and could damage its ability to receive sensitive information from operators in the future.
- Section 43 (Commercial interests): The regulator agreed with Allwyn's view that the detailed sales data constitutes a “trade secret.” The UKGC argued that releasing this information could harm the commercial interests of Allwyn and the National Lottery, potentially impacting its ability to generate returns for Good Causes.
The Commission's response noted that disclosing the data could “create an opportunity for other market participants to adapt their future commercial behaviour” to the detriment of the National Lottery.
What This Means for Transparency
The National Lottery is a state-franchised monopoly, and its performance is a matter of significant public interest. Detailed sales data allows for analysis of consumer trends, such as the ongoing shift from retail to online play, and provides a benchmark for the operator's effectiveness in raising money for Good Causes.
By classifying current sales data as a trade secret, the UKGC is prioritising the commercial position of the operator over public transparency. While the Commission stated that some information would be published in Allwyn’s annual report by June 2026, this will be aggregated and released significantly later than the period it covers.
Gaps in Player Data
The FOI response also revealed a significant gap in the regulator's knowledge of player behaviour. When asked for data on the number of people who play in syndicates—a popular method for participating in the lottery—the UKGC confirmed it holds no information on this topic.
This includes a lack of data on how many online accounts are designated as being for syndicate managers, indicating a blind spot in understanding how a large portion of tickets may be purchased and managed.