Allwyn to revamp UK Lotto on 7 June and launch Powerball later this summer

Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, said it will introduce a new two-round format for Lotto from 7 June, and will launch a UK-specific version of Powerball later this summer, subject to final regulatory approval.

Under the Lotto changes, every £2 line will include two chances to win within each Wednesday and Saturday draw, using two separate draw machines to produce two sets of six main balls and a Bonus Ball. Allwyn said the update improves the odds of winning any prize from 1-in-9.3 to 1-in-4.9, and is expected to increase the number of Lotto millionaires from around 140 a year to around 345. Tickets for the revised Lotto go on sale on Sunday 7 June, with the first draw in the new format scheduled for Wednesday 10 June.

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

The company also announced it will bring a UK-specific version of Powerball to the market in partnership with the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). Powerball tickets will be priced at £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 using a Lucky Dip. UK players will participate in the shared jackpot, with UK jackpot winners paid out over 30 years, Allwyn said.

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 said Powerball will go on sale to UK players later this summer, with an exact date to be confirmed. Draws will be available to enter 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, according to the company.