The National Lottery is changing its main draw for the first time in a move which could double the number of British millionaire winners, as well as offering a new mega jackpot game this summer.
Lottery operator Allwyn introduced the first new game in the National Lottery’s history, a UK-specific version of the US draw Powerball, the world’s biggest rolling jackpot.
UK players will pay £4 per line to compete with their US counterparts to win the shared jackpot of over £1 billion, which will be paid out over 30 years to UK winners.
The operator also announced the biggest overhaul to the nation’s “millionaire maker” Lotto since its launch in 1994, with players being given two chances to win for every £2 ticket.
The change, to be rolled out from 7 June subject to regulatory approval, is expected to more than double the number of Lotto millionaires from around 140 a year to about 345.
The first new Lotto draw will take place on 10 June, with jackpots beginning at £2 million. They can roll over up to five times before a must-be-won event on the sixth consecutive draw.
Powerball, launched in the US in 1992, made the biggest-ever winner of over $2.04 billion in 2022. If regulators approve, the game could be launched in the UK later this summer with an uncapped jackpot of £12 million as well as other prizes.
Allwyn CEO Andria Vidler said the upgrades would raise more money for the lottery’s good causes across the country.
She 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.
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“Lotto has always been the best game to play if you want to become a millionaire. Our new Lotto gives players two chances of winning £1m-plus for the same £2 they spend on each Lotto line today, creating hundreds more millionaires every year.
“And with its transformative jackpots, which will be paid to UK winners over time, we’re certain that our UK-specific version of the iconic Powerball game will really capture the UK public’s imagination.”
Powerball is expected to deliver around £1 billion more to UK good causes over the first five years, with more than 30 per cent of the ticket price returned to the National Lottery’s charitable side. Changes to Lotto are also predicted to generate millions more for good causes across the UK.
“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,” Ms Vidler added.
“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.”
Allwyn said recently that total National Lottery sales, including lottery tickets bought in shops, came in at £8.1 billion in 2025, up 3.5 per cent on the previous year.
More than £1.7 billion was generated for good causes – which incorporates funding for health, education, arts, sports heritage and charity – and £967 million was raised in taxes.
