Allwyn Sets to Refresh UK Lotto and Introduce Powerball This Summer

(AsiaGameHub) –   Allwyn, the operator of The National Lottery, has announced that it will roll out a brand-new two-round format for Lotto starting on 7 June, and will launch a UK-specific version of Powerball later this summer, pending final regulatory approval.

Following the Lotto changes, every £2 play line will offer two winning opportunities across each Wednesday and Saturday draw, using two separate draw machines to produce two sets of six main balls and a Bonus Ball. Allwyn noted that this update will improve the odds of winning any prize from 1-in-9.3 to 1-in-4.9, and is expected to increase the annual number of Lotto millionaires from around 140 to roughly 345. Tickets for the revised Lotto will go on sale on Sunday 7 June, with the first draw under the new format scheduled for Wednesday 10 June.

Allwyn said that Lotto jackpots will continue to start at £2m and can roll over up to five times before a must-be-won event takes place on the sixth consecutive draw. The jackpot will be split across both rounds, while other prize tiers will remain fixed cash prizes paid out per round. The Lotto HotPicks add-on game will also transition to the two-round format and will stay priced at £1.

The company also announced that it will bring a UK-specific version of Powerball to the market in partnership with the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). Powerball tickets will cost £4 per line in the UK, with players selecting five main numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26, or choosing a Lucky Dip. UK players will take part in the shared jackpot, with UK jackpot winners paid out over 30 years, according to Allwyn.

Allwyn CEO, Andria Vidler, 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.” She added, “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.”

Allwyn shared that Powerball will go on sale to UK players later this summer, with an exact date to be confirmed. Entries for draws will be accepted until 11.55pm the night before scheduled draw days (Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays), with draws taking place around 4am the next morning (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday) from the Powerball studio in Florida, the company noted.