Charities and other good causes received a record sum of just over £1.8bn from National Lottery ticket sales in 2022-23, it has been revealed today.
Overall sales of almost £8.2bn are the second highest since the lottery’s 1994 launch – beaten only by 2012-13, which included the London Olympics.
The news comes as Camelot prepares to hand over the operation of The National Lottery to Allwyn in February 2024, with Camelot becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Returns to good causes this year are £6.2m higher than in 2021-22, while overall sales rose by almost £100m.
Other 2022-23 highlights include:
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Good causes received an average £36m every week
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National Lottery projects have been handed £47bn since 1994
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Almost £4.7bn in prize money was awarded to players – up £81.7m
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382 new millionaires were created
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More than 670,000 individual grants have been made since 1994.
Camelot co-chief executives Clare Swindell and Neil Brocklehurst said: “We’re delighted to have grown National Lottery sales year on year to their second highest on record, creating almost 400 millionaires in the process.
“And with £36m being raised each week for Good Cause projects around the UK and returns from ticket sales rising to their best-ever level, it’s clear that The National Lottery is delivering for players and society in what are very challenging times.
“We have more exciting plans lined up for the year ahead to ensure that The National Lottery remains front of mind and brings people together at key national moments.”
Robert Chvátal, chief executive of Allwyn AG, said: “This past year’s performance demonstrates the core strengths of The National Lottery in consistently delivering for good causes, even in an environment where consumer spending is under pressure.
“We were delighted to integrate Camelot into the Allwyn group earlier this year, bringing their experience and know-how to Allwyn UK’s vision for the fourth licence.”