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Gambling Commission looks to media and telecoms industry for National Lottery innovation.

07 March 2019

The Gambling Commission has called upon the media, telecoms and technology industries to help bring innovation to the next National Lottery licence.

Speaking at the Media & Telecoms 2019 & Beyond event in London, the Gambling Commission’s Chief Executive, Neil McArthur, addressed more than 450 key players from some of the world’s leading media and communications businesses.

The event was the largest platform for the licence competition since the launch of its initial market engagement in November 2018 and was a clear sign that the Gambling Commission is seeking to capitalise on the innovation expertise.

In his speech, Neil McArthur told delegates: “The National Lottery has been an incredible success and its potential is huge. Harnessing technology, understanding consumer behaviour and innovating to keep players engaged and safe are the keys to unlocking that potential.

“When I look around this room, I see lots of pioneers and innovators. I see a room full of people who will have a vision of what the future may look like in their field of expertise. And I’d like you to share your thoughts with me and my colleagues, so we can get a clearer view of what the world might look like in 2023 and beyond.”

To coincide with the speech, the Commission began a marketing drive to engage organisations from all industries, including the finance, media, telecoms and technology sectors, to invite them to join the conversation and listen to their ideas for the next licence as we prepare for the competition launch early next year.

For more information please call the Gambling Commission Press Office on 0121 230 6700. 

Note to editors

The Gambling Commission is the UK’s independent, statutory body responsible for awarding licences to run the National Lottery and tasked with regulating it to ensure safe and fair play. It has three statutory duties regarding the National Lottery:  

  • ensuring the National Lottery is run with propriety  
  • ensuring that participants’ interests are protected  
  • (subject to the previous) doing our best to ensure that the proceeds from the National Lottery are as great as possible.  

Key facts and figures regarding the UK National Lottery and the fourth licence competition:  

  1. Every month 14 million people take part in National Lottery draw-based games and more play its range of instant wins.
  2. The National Lottery received £6.9 billion sales last year (2017/18).
  3. The National Lottery has raised over £39 billion for good causes.
  4. Over 5,000 millionaires have been created by the National Lottery.
  5. Over 20 million people watched the National Lottery launch its first live televised draw in November 1994.
  6. Approximately 45,000 retailers located throughout the UK sell National Lottery products.
  7. In total, the National Lottery has awarded over £67 billion in prizes.
  8. More than 535,000 individual grants of National Lottery funds have been made across the UK – the equivalent of more than 190 grants for every UK postcode.
  9. Proceeds from the National Lottery contributed £2.2 billion towards the cost of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  

For all media enquiries, please contact the Gambling Commission press office.


Last updated: 24 August 2021

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