UK lottery enthusiasts are in for an exciting opportunity to win a staggering £1 billion following a significant upgrade to the National Lottery. Allwyn, the operator, has unveiled plans to introduce a UK version of the popular American game, Powerball.
Under this new game, UK players will pay £4 per line to participate in the shared jackpot exceeding £1 billion, which will be distributed over 30 years to winners in the UK. This move comes as part of Allwyn’s collaboration with the Multi-State Lottery Association in the US to introduce Powerball to the UK, though a specific launch date is yet to be finalized.
In addition to this development, the National Lottery is offering players two chances to win for every £2 ticket purchased for its main Lotto game. This change, set to roll out from June 7, is expected to more than double the number of Lotto millionaires annually, increasing from approximately 140 to about 345.
This revamp marks the most significant enhancement to Lotto since its inception in 1994. The inaugural two-round draw will occur on Wednesday, June 10, with subsequent Lotto draws scheduled for around 8 pm every Saturday and Wednesday.
Allwyn’s Chief Executive, Andria Vidler, expressed excitement about delivering more games and entertainment to The National Lottery as promised. By expanding their digital and retail channels, Allwyn aims to engage players with new and innovative gaming experiences during the upcoming summer.
The introduction of these new games is projected to contribute more to charitable causes, with over 30% of ticket sales from the Powerball draw allocated to good causes, resulting in an estimated additional £1 billion over the initial five years. This initiative aligns with the goal of doubling weekly returns to good causes by 2034.
Recent data from Allwyn indicates that total National Lottery sales, including shop purchases, reached £8.1 billion in 2025, reflecting a 3.5% increase from the previous year. The generated funds, over £1.7 billion, support various sectors such as health, education, arts, sports, heritage, and charitable causes, with an additional £967 million raised through taxes.