2026 licence decisions
July 2026 - Decision notice for Section 6 application to launch Powerball
Summary
With effect from 21 July 2026, the Gambling Commission issued a new Section 6 Licence to Allwyn Entertainment Ltd (AEL), under section 6 of the National Lottery etc Act 1993, to introduce the US draw-based game Powerball to the UK.
The Commission considers that its decision to issue this Licence is likely to be of interest to the public. Accordingly, this statement is published under paragraph 9(2)(c) of Schedule 2A to the Act.
As part of its Licensing process, the Commission primarily considered 2 matters:
- whether the proposed changes could lawfully be licensed and, if so,
- whether the proposed changes should be licensed.
The Commission was satisfied that the proposed game could lawfully be licensed under the Act but that some amendments to section 7b of the Secretary of State’s Directions to the Commission under s11 of the Act were required. The Secretary of State’s Directions have been duly amended and reissued, and the Commission is satisfied that the proposed game is compliant with the updated Directions. The Commission was further satisfied that the proposed game should be licensed.
Propriety
The Commission is satisfied the proposal is unlikely to have an adverse impact on the running of the National Lottery with all due propriety and that the Fit and Proper requirements of the licence are being appropriately managed. Furthermore, suitable plans and mitigations have been outlined in the application in relation to the potential risk to the National Lottery brand.
Participants interests
Through the Commission’s assessment, it is satisfied that the potential risks posed to participants should be suitably managed through the range of mitigations the National Lottery operator has in place. These include:
- appropriate controls to protect players’ funds
- transparency and support to players around the rules of the game.
- suitable monitoring and evaluation tools.
- The Commission is therefore satisfied that there are sufficient safeguards in place to mitigate any potential risk.
The Commission will continue to monitor and challenge the National Lottery operator on its ongoing delivery of high standards in terms of player protection measures. In parallel, the Commission expects Allwyn to monitor any risk of harm and continue to ensure National Lottery games do not encourage excessive play, along with making appropriate interventions when it identifies ‘high risk’ players. Accounting for this broader activity, we are therefore satisfied that the interests of every participant in a lottery that forms part of the National Lottery are protected.
Returns to good causes
The Commission considered that the proposed changes could increase contributions to good causes. Accordingly, the Commission considered that approval of the proposed changes would be consistent with its duty under s 4(2) of the Act to do its best to secure that (subject to its duty under s 4(1)) the net proceeds of the National Lottery are as great as possible.
Decision
Based on the information provided by Allwyn and our considerations on propriety, player interests and returns to good causes, the Commission decided that the proposed game could be licensed, and that the Section 6 Licence should be granted accordingly.
June 2026 - Decision notice for Section 6 application to introduce changes to Lotto and Lotto HotPicks
Summary
With effect from 7 June 2026, the Gambling Commission varied the licences, granted to Allwyn Entertainment Ltd (AEL), under section 6 of the National Lottery etc Act 1993 (the Act) in respect of Lotto and Lotto HotPicks, namely, to implement the following changes:
- 2 rounds per draw every Wednesday and Saturday
- the introduction of special event draws (Guaranteed Millionaire Raffle) throughout the year, and
- changes to the prize structure to account for the 2 rounds included in every draw.
The Commission considers that its decision to consent to the variation of the Licence is likely to be of interest to the public. Accordingly, this statement is published under paragraph 9(2)(c) of Schedule 2A to the Act.
As part of its Licensing process, the Commission primarily considered 2 matters:
- whether the proposed changes could lawfully be licensed and, if so,
- whether the proposed changes should be licensed.
The Commission was satisfied that the proposed changes could lawfully be licensed under the Act and that they would be compliant with the Secretary of State’s directions to the Commission under s 11 of the Act. The Commission was further satisfied that the proposed changes should be licensed.
Propriety
The Commission is satisfied the proposal is unlikely to have an adverse impact on the running of the National Lottery with all due propriety. Furthermore, suitable plans and mitigations have been outlined in the application in relation to the potential risk to the National Lottery brand.
Participants interests
Through the Commission’s assessment, it is satisfied that the potential risks posed to participants should be suitably managed through the range of mitigations the National Lottery operator has in place. Mainly, that players understood the changes being introduced to the Lotto and Lotto HotPicks games. The Commission is therefore satisfied that there are sufficient safeguards in place to mitigate any potential risk.
The Commission will continue to monitor and challenge the National Lottery operator on its ongoing delivery of high standards in terms of player protection measures. In parallel, the Commission expects AEL to monitor any risk of harm and continue to ensure National Lottery games do not encourage excessive play. We are therefore satisfied that the interests of every participant in a lottery that forms part of the National Lottery are protected.
Returns to good causes
The Commission considered that the proposed changes could increase contributions to good causes. Accordingly, the Commission considered that approval of the proposed changes would be consistent with its duty under s 4(2) of the Act to do its best to secure that (subject to its duty under s 4(1)) the net proceeds of the National Lottery are as great as possible.
Decision
Based on the information provided by AEL and our considerations on propriety, player interests and returns to good causes, the Commission decided that the proposed changes could be licensed, and that the Licence should be varied accordingly.
April 2026 - Decision notice for Section 6 application to re-introduce £10 Interactive Instant Win Games (IIWGs)
Summary
With effect from 8 April 2026, the Gambling Commission varied the licence, granted to Allwyn Entertainment Ltd (AEL), under section 6 of the National Lottery etc Act 1993 in respect of Interactive Instant Win Games (IIWGs), namely, to implement the following changes:
- increase the upper price limit from £5 to £10, and
- amend the top prize limit from £1 million to £4 million.
The Commission considers that its decision to consent to the variation of the Licence is likely to be of interest to the public. Accordingly, this statement is published under paragraph 9(2)(c) of Schedule 2A to the Act.
As part of its Licensing process, the Commission primarily considered 2 matters:
- whether the proposed changes could lawfully be licensed and, if so,
- whether the proposed changes should be licensed.
The Commission was satisfied that the proposed changes could lawfully be licensed under the Act and that they would be compliant with the Secretary of State’s directions to the Commission under s 11 of the Act. The Commission was further satisfied that the proposed changes should be licensed.
Propriety
The Commission is satisfied the proposal is unlikely to have an adverse impact on the running of the National Lottery with all due propriety. Furthermore, suitable plans and mitigations have been outlined in the application in relation to the potential risk to the National Lottery brand.
Participants interests
Through the Commission’s assessment, it is satisfied that the potential risks posed to participants should be suitably managed through the range of mitigations the National Lottery operator has in place (such as appropriate online player protection controls, along with suitable monitoring and evaluation tools). The Commission is therefore satisfied that there are sufficient safeguards in place to mitigate any potential risk.
The Commission will continue to monitor and challenge the National Lottery operator on its ongoing delivery of high standards in terms of player protection measures. In parallel, the Commission expects AEL to monitor any risk of harm and continue to ensure National Lottery games do not encourage excessive play, along with making appropriate interventions when it identifies 'high risk' players. Accounting for this broader activity, we are therefore satisfied that the interests of every participant in a lottery that forms part of the National Lottery are protected.
Returns to good causes
The Commission considered that the proposed changes could increase contributions to good causes. Accordingly, the Commission considered that approval of the proposed changes would be consistent with its duty under s 4(2) of the Act to do its best to secure that (subject to its duty under s 4(1)) the net proceeds of the National Lottery are as great as possible.
Decision
Based on the information provided by AEL and our considerations on propriety, player interests and returns to good causes, the Commission decided that the proposed changes could be licensed, and that the Licence should be varied accordingly.
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Last updated: 20 July 2026
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July 2026 decision details added.