National Lottery reveals more than £40 billion handed to good causes since launch of game 25 years ago

More than £40 billion has been given to good causes across the country since the National Lottery launched 25 years ago.

Operator Camelot revealed it had 'exciting plans' to celebrate its silver anniversary to thank the public for its contribution since the game was introduced in November 1994.

Chief executive Nigel Railton said: “As we celebrate 25 years of The National Lottery and the massive difference it has made to UK society – with an incredible £40 billion raised for good causes – I’m delighted to see our hard work paying off.

'The receipt said I’d won a prize, that the store would not be able to pay it out and that I should contact Camelot immediately' (PA)

“Sales across most of the business are up – with our ongoing investment and innovation in retail and digital continuing to yield positive results.

“In particular, we’ve spent much of the last 12 to 18 months getting our draw-based games back in good health – with a more balanced portfolio that now offers something for everyone – and making improvements to our Scratchcards and online Instant Win Games in terms of product design, range, merchandising and availability, which has led to record sales of those games.

“And we have some really exciting plans lined up with the other members of The National Lottery family over the coming months to thank players for the enormous contribution they’ve made over the past 25 years.”

Camelot revealed that EuroMillions and Lotto sales were “slightly down” over the year - EuroMillions as a result of fewer rollover draws of more than £100 million.

Total returns to good causes fell slightly to £1.6 billion in the last financial period, with £39 million of this directed into “necessary marketing expenditure” in agreement with the Gambling Commission.

The National Lottery has changed its draws: Here's what you need to know

Camelot said growth was driven by record sales through smartphones and tablets to £1 billion, accounting for 55 per cent of all National Lottery digital sales.

Sales across the National Lottery’s range of Scratchcards and online Instant Win Games also reached a record £3.1 billion.

However retail remained the largest channel, with almost 75 per cent of total sales coming through in-store terminals.

You could be sipping on champagne celebrating the life-changing win (National Lottery)

In September, Camelot announced that it was increasing the prize pots for matching five or more balls plus the bonus ball to a fixed £1 million from an estimated £50,000 for its Lotto game after a slump in ticket sales.

Another new game offers winners a regular amount of money every month for a certain number of years.

The changes were made in response to an in-depth review launched in 2017 after sales dropped 8.8 per cent in 2016/17 compared with the previous period.

The review found that, when Lotto changed in 2015 so gamblers have to pick six numbers from 59, compared with choosing from 49 before, the game resembled its high-stakes sibling EuroMillions too closely because it became harder to win.