National Lottery software for randomly selected numbers
Request
Can you tell me the name of the software used to pick randomly selected numbers?
Also can you tell me the winners to match the information you sent me - if not names due to GDPR, how many winners for each year and postcode?
Response
Thank you for your request which has been processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
In your email you have requested:
Can you tell me the name of the software used to pick randomly selected numbers? Also can you tell me the winners to match the information you sent me - if not names due to GDPR, how many winners for each year and postcode?
In order for us to progress part one of your request, we require further clarification with regards to the information you have requested. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) covers recorded information held by a public authority at the time a request is made and does not require a public authority to create information in order to fulfil a request. Unfortunately, part one of your request is not sufficiently clear to enable us to locate or identify the recorded information you are looking for in relation to the software used to select numbers.
Your clarified request will represent a new request for information and the new 20 working day time limit will commence from the day after your clarified request is received.
In relation to part two of your request, section 12 of FOIA makes provision for public authorities to refuse requests for information where the cost of dealing with them would exceed the appropriate limit, which for public authorities, such as the Commission, is set at £450. This represents the estimated cost of one person spending 18 hours in determining whether the department holds the information, locating, retrieving and extracting the information.
We estimate that it would take in excess of 18 hours to determine appropriate material and locate, retrieve and extract any relevant information in reference to part two of your request. In order to identify, locate and retrieve the information requested relating to part two of the above request, we conducted a search relating to the ticket sales. The search results returned data across a 3-year period (from 27/06/2020 to 27/06/2023). If the data was to be compiled over this time period it would exceed the 18-hour time allocation.
When a public authority applies the Section 12 exemption to a request, the FOIA guidance specifically states that a public authority should avoid providing any information found as a result of a search as it denies the requestor the right to express a preference as to which parts of the request they may wish to receive within the appropriate time limit. Guidance on the application of section 12 can be viewed here:
The Information Commissioner’s Office (opens in a new tab)
If you are able to refine your request, we may be able to narrow the number of records that we need to search, for example, we could review the identified data.
Until we are able to process the search of the information you have requested, we are unable to ascertain if other exemptions will apply to any material identified which would also prevent disclosure.
Please note again, any refined request would be processed as a new request and the 20 working day statutory time limit would apply.
Review of the decision
If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your Freedom of Information request you are entitled to an internal review of our decision. You should write to FOI Team, Gambling Commission, 4th floor, Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B2 4BP or by reply to this email.
Please note, internal review requests should be made within 40 working days of the initial response. Requests made outside this timeframe will not be processed.
If you are not content with the outcome of our review, you may then apply directly to the Information Commissioner (ICO) for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have already exhausted the review procedure provided by the Gambling Commission.
The ICO can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office (opens in a new tab), Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
Information Management Team
Gambling Commission
Victoria Square House
Victoria Square
Birmingham B2 4BP