The National Lottery is set to expand its offering with a revamped Lotto format and a Powerball draw which parent Allwyn said will create “hundreds more millionaires”.
Allwyn has described the updates as “once-in-a-generation changes”, with the new Lotto going live on 7 June. The Powerball launch date is yet to be confirmed.
The shift comes after the Athens-listed operator completed its tech overhaul of The National Lottery in the UK earlier this year.
The updated Lotto draw will give players two chances to win via a new two-round draw format in each Wednesday and Saturday draw.
The rounds will see two sets of six main balls and bonus ball drawn from two separate machines.
Each line will still cost £2 and players will win a prize when they match two or more main numbers.
Allwyn said the change would increase the chances of winning any Lotto prize from one in 9.3 to one in 4.9.
The update is also expected to more than double the number of Lotto millionaires from around 140 a year to around 345.
Allwyn is anticipating the update to generate “millions of pounds more in sales of the game in a typical week”.
The Powerball launch will see a game of its type go live outside the US for the first time via a partnership with the Multi-State Lottery Association.
There are 48 US-based lotteries that participate in the Powerball.
The launch of the game in the UK, which is still subject to final regulatory approval, will allow players to take part, with draw entries costing £4 per line.
Players will pick five numbers between 1 and 69, as well as a Powerball number between 1 and 26.
Winners will take home part of a shared jackpot that is paid out over 30 years for UK players, with the UK rolling jackpot starting at £12m.
UK players will also be able to match two numbers and win £8 in a market-only prize, while matching five main numbers will hand out a fixed prize of £1m.
The Powerball draw will take place around 4am UK time from the Powerball studio in Florida on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Andria Vidler, Allwyn UK CEO, said: “We are delivering on our promise to bring more games, more entertainment and more innovation to The National Lottery.
“With extensive upgrades to our digital and retail channels now complete, we have a fantastic summer lined up, as we are now able to bring these exciting new games to our players.
“By offering a wide range of complementary games, we’re ensuring there is something for everyone – returning the magic, building our player base and making sure The National Lottery remains part of the national conversation.
“In turn, this will raise more money for good causes, helping us reach our goal of doubling weekly returns to good causes from £30m to £60m by 2034, with £33m a week currently raised.”
The post UK National Lottery unveils revamped Lotto and new Powerball offering first appeared on EGR Intel.
Allwyn hails the updates as “once-in-a-generation changes”, with new products expected to drive increase in weekly sales this summer
The post UK National Lottery unveils revamped Lotto and new Powerball offering first appeared on EGR Intel.