Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

National Lottery retailers help raise landmark £50bn for good causes

Raj Patel

Raj Patel

Today, on The National Lottery’s 30th birthday, operator Allwyn is announcing that, through selling tickets, National Lottery retailers have helped players raise a landmark £50 billion for Good Causes since 1994 – funding an incredible 700,000 individual projects across the UK.

Allwyn is also announcing that National Lottery retailers have now earned over £8 billion in sales commission since the first draw on Saturday 19 November 1994.


In addition to changing the face of communities up and down the UK, more than 7,400 millionaires have been created and over £95 billion awarded in prizes since the launch of The National Lottery in 1994.

Over 570 dedicated independent National Lottery retailers have been selling The National Lottery since launch – including Brian McLister, owner of McLister’s Store in Ballycastle, and Raj Patel, owner of News Bit in Bushey.

Through selling National Lottery tickets to players, Raj’s store has raised over £700,000 for National Lottery Good Causes since 1994, while Brian’s store has raised over £650,000.

“I feel proud that we’ve been able to make a difference,” said Brian McLister, owner of McLister’s Store in Ballycastle. “We’ve always strived to serve our local community and to help wherever we can. It’s great to be able to see the benefit of National Lottery funding in your area. Our local museum has been completely regenerated thanks to the funding they’ve received. It feels good to know that we’ve helped in some way.”

Raj Patel, owner of News Bit in Bushey, added: “Whenever I hear that over £30 million is raised every week for Good Causes, it makes me happy that by selling tickets and Scratchcards in my store, I’m helping in some way.”

Allwyn has been running some special games and draws to celebrate three decades of The National Lottery, including:

Last Saturday’s (9 Nov) special Lotto £15 million "Must Be Won" draw which saw a millionaire made and the jackpot roll down to boost all the lower prize tiers.

A EuroMillions 100 European Millionaire Maker draw on Saturday 22 November which will see 100 prizes of £1 million (or €1 million) guaranteed to be won in a single night.

A special 30th birthday Scratchcard that hit stores in the lead up to the birthday and offers the best chance of winning £30 on a game, as well seven top prizes of £300,000.

Brian McLister

Allwyn’s Interim Retail Director, James Dunbar, said: “By selling billions of tickets, and continuing to be the majority sales channel, it’s hard to ignore just how central National Lottery retailers have been in helping players raise £50 billion for Good Causes since 1994. They’ve now earned over £8 billion in sales commission along the way, which further demonstrates the incredible impact of The National Lottery on the UK over the last 30 years. We would like to thank retailers for their amazing commitment and support over the last three decades.”

Three decades of National Lottery funding has created an unparalleled legacy: powering athletic excellence, protecting cultural treasures, advancing artistic achievement and strengthening communities nationwide.

Running alongside the major initiatives are the hundreds of thousands of grants – usually for £10,000 or less – which help small projects to make an amazing difference in their areas.

Since funding began in 1994, UK athletes have won more than 1,000 Olympic and Paralympic medals. The National Lottery has funded the making of more than 600 films which have won an incredible 551 awards, including 16 Oscars, 128 BAFTAs and 34 Cannes awards. Popular attractions and notable landmarks across the UK such as the Eden Project, the Giant’s Causeway, the Kelpies, the Angel of the North and Wembley and the Principality Stadium have all received support from The National Lottery.

Allwyn is also announcing that National Lottery retailers have now earned over £8 billion in sales commission since the first draw on Saturday 19 November 1994.

In addition to changing the face of communities up and down the UK, more than 7,400 millionaires have been created and over £95 billion awarded in prizes since the launch of The National Lottery in 1994.

Over 570 dedicated independent National Lottery retailers have been selling The National Lottery since launch – including Brian McLister, owner of McLister’s Store in Ballycastle, and Raj Patel, owner of News Bit in Bushey.

Through selling National Lottery tickets to players, Raj’s store has raised over £700,000 for National Lottery Good Causes since 1994, while Brian’s store has raised over £650,000.

“I feel proud that we’ve been able to make a difference,” said Brian McLister, owner of McLister’s Store in Ballycastle. “We’ve always strived to serve our local community and to help wherever we can. It’s great to be able to see the benefit of National Lottery funding in your area. Our local museum has been completely regenerated thanks to the funding they’ve received. It feels good to know that we’ve helped in some way.”

Raj Patel, owner of News Bit in Bushey, added: “Whenever I hear that over £30 million is raised every week for Good Causes, it makes me happy that by selling tickets and Scratchcards in my store, I’m helping in some way.”

Allwyn has been running some special games and draws to celebrate three decades of The National Lottery, including:

Last Saturday’s (9 Nov) special Lotto £15 million "Must Be Won" draw which saw a millionaire made and the jackpot roll down to boost all the lower prize tiers.

A EuroMillions 100 European Millionaire Maker draw on Saturday 22 November which will see 100 prizes of £1 million (or €1 million) guaranteed to be won in a single night.

A special 30th birthday Scratchcard that hit stores in the lead up to the birthday and offers the best chance of winning £30 on a game, as well seven top prizes of £300,000.

Allwyn’s Interim Retail Director, James Dunbar, said: “By selling billions of tickets, and continuing to be the majority sales channel, it’s hard to ignore just how central National Lottery retailers have been in helping players raise £50 billion for Good Causes since 1994. They’ve now earned over £8 billion in sales commission along the way, which further demonstrates the incredible impact of The National Lottery on the UK over the last 30 years. We would like to thank retailers for their amazing commitment and support over the last three decades.”

Three decades of National Lottery funding has created an unparalleled legacy: powering athletic excellence, protecting cultural treasures, advancing artistic achievement and strengthening communities nationwide.

Running alongside the major initiatives are the hundreds of thousands of grants – usually for £10,000 or less – which help small projects to make an amazing difference in their areas.

Since funding began in 1994, UK athletes have won more than 1,000 Olympic and Paralympic medals. The National Lottery has funded the making of more than 600 films which have won an incredible 551 awards, including 16 Oscars, 128 BAFTAs and 34 Cannes awards. Popular attractions and notable landmarks across the UK such as the Eden Project, the Giant’s Causeway, the Kelpies, the Angel of the North and Wembley and the Principality Stadium have all received support from The National Lottery.

More for you

Holyrood can boost growth through small retail in Budget – SGF

iStock

Holyrood can boost growth through small retail in Budget – SGF

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF), the Trade Association for the Scottish Convenience sector, said that small retailers are desperate to invest in their businesses, and take advantage of new technologies and sustainable practices, but many stores are now struggling to stay viable.

SGF has called on the Scottish Finance Secretary to ensure that 40% reliefs on Non-Domestic Rates announced for retail businesses south of the border are passed on to Scottish stores. Alongside the extra reliefs, SGF say that the Scottish Government should focus on growth by ringfencing funding through the Small Business Bonus Scheme and freezing poundage for the foreseeable future.

“The Scottish Government has a real opportunity to boost growth in communities across Scotland, and help rejuvenate town centres, by passing on the NDR reliefs announced by the Chancellor," said SGF Chief Executive, Dr Pete Cheema OBE.

“In past years, convenience stores in England have benefited from 75 per cent reliefs, that support has dropped to 40 per cent this year, but it could still be crucial in helping put the Scottish Economy back on track.

“Many SGF members, and small store across Scotland, are facing a raft of challenges. Alongside increases to National Insurance Contributions, hire wage rates, higher inflation, energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis. Not to mention a pile on of regulation across a range of product categories.

“Scottish Businesses have been operating at an economic disadvantage to our counterparts in England. Sorting out the damaging impact of business rates on economic growth and small business in Scotland is a no brainer.”

SGF has also called for an uplift for Police Scotland and Scottish Justice to help tackle the sharp increase in retail crime which is having a significant impact on business viability.

Allwyn appoints Alison Acquaye-Acford Director Of Commercial Partnerships & Retail Sales

Alison Acquaye-Acford

Allwyn appoints Alison Acquaye-Acford Director Of Commercial Partnerships & Retail Sales

Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, today announces the appointment of Alison Acquaye-Acford as Director of Commercial Partnerships and Retail Sales.

With a career in retail spanning almost three decades, Alison joins Allwyn from Acosta Europe where, in her role as Business Unit Director, she was responsible for transforming the growth of client brands including Red Bull. She also spearheaded various revenue-driving projects that contributed to Acosta’s most successful year yet.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Climate activists march on a street
Climate activists march on a street to demand stronger global commitments to fight plastic waste at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5), in Busan, South Korea, November 23, 2024
REUTERS/Minwoo Park

Countries fail to reach agreement in UN plastic talks

Countries negotiating a global treaty to curb plastic pollution failed to reach agreement on Monday, with more than 100 nations wanting to cap production while a handful of oil-producers were prepared only to target plastic waste.

The fifth UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting intended to yield a legally binding global treaty in Busan, South Korea, was meant to be the final one.

Keep ReadingShow less
napa valley vineyard

In an aerial view, fall foliage is visible as grape vine leaves change colors at a vineyard on November 14, 2024 in Napa, California.

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Global wine output to hit lowest level since 1961

Global wine production is set to fall again this year to its lowest level since 1961 due to climate change, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) said Friday.

Output is estimated to reach between 227 million and 235 million hectolitres in 29 countries accounting for 85 percent of global production, according to the intergovernmental organisation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Supreme buys Typhoo Tea out of administration for £10m

Supreme buys Typhoo Tea out of administration for £10m

Britain's Supreme has bought out loss-making tea brand Typhoo Tea from administration in a 10.2 million pound deal, the fast-moving consumer products seller said on Monday (2).

The 120-year-old tea brand had fallen into administration in November due to declining sales and mounting debt pressures. A break-in at its Merseyside factory in August 2023 exacerbated the company's cost pressures, and the site was subsequently shuttered.

Keep ReadingShow less