UK & World News
- 17 January 2013, 17:03
National Lottery Ticket Price To Double To £2
The cost of playing the main National Lottery draw is to double to £2, but more winners will get a share of the prize pot.
Operator Camelot said the increase, which takes effect in the autumn, means players who have three correct numbers will win £25 instead of the current £10.
However, the prize for matching five numbers will drop by £500 to £1,000, while the reward for getting five numbers and the bonus number will halve to £50,000.
The winnings for matching four numbers will increase from £60 to £100.
The price rise is the first since the Lotto draw launched in 1994 and follows research which found that consumers "want more ways to win more money" from the game.
An average 800,000 players win prizes for matching three or four numbers each week, while around 800 players match five numbers or five plus the bonus.
The average Saturday jackpot will increase from around £4.1m to £5m and the Wednesday jackpot will increase from an estimated £2.2m to around £2.5m, while a new Lotto raffle will guarantee at least 50 winners £20,000 in each draw, Camelot added.
Managing director Andy Duncan said: "Our players still love Lotto, but after 18 years they say they want more from it.
"We've spoken extensively with them to develop a re-energised game.
"The changes we'll be introducing in the autumn to rejuvenate Lotto will give them what they have asked for: £25 for matching three numbers, bigger jackpots and a brand new way to play and win one of 50 prizes of a guaranteed £20,000 on each and every draw."
Lotto rollover draws will also change, with the number of raffle prizes on offer increasing significantly with each roll of the jackpot.
Total National Lottery sales have increased by 35% since 2002, with the number of players growing by more than 12% in the last five years.
Players have also helped to raise more than £29bn for National Lottery Good Causes.
what do you think?
David Ticehurst
Bad deal, double the fee to get half value winnings. As Steve says it is a big rip off. Shall take my money elsewhere to gamble.
Robbie369P .
And how much will their profit increase?? Why do they have to have numerous games, just have the lottery on Saturdays for £1 and leave it at that.
stewgwyn
Yes Robert, it's too confusing now, at least for me. Let's get back to where it started.
movvi
It was so much simpler!
Russell6730
This will turn out to be a monumental rip off, just wait for real number crunchers to come up with their verdicts. Just remember if your destined to win or lose you will do so no matter how much you spend.People who buy only 1 ticket will continue buying1ticket but those who buy multiple tickets will buy less
Andy Sillitoe
Robbing gits
Robbie369P .
And if they did, I doubt anyone said they wanted to pay double.
stewgwyn
It's a dreamers' tax, and now it's being hit by a 100% increase. Think about it, a lot of the causes on which the money is spent are things that should be provided by employers/employees NI and PAYE contributions.
David Francis
How to destroy a sound business in ONE EASY LESSON.
Phil A
The research said that customers wanted more wats to win more money it did not say they wanted a 100% price rise. It doesn't matter what you say they still hear what they want to hear.
Brian Quinn
I have never bought a Lottery ticket. Unless I know exactly which 'Good Cause' my money is being donated I will never partake.
David Cooper
I'm out
bjnk
100% increase 100% greed., how about a more even shareout under the present system. No doubt directors saleries and investers return will double. Stop buying them in protest to this planned increase.
shirley sutton
Just greed I won't be playing anymore sod them
Ben Ralph
And the odds to win size ratio is still atrocious! If you must do lotteries, go to your nearest bookie who offers the Irish lottery and check their prize tariffs. Either that or waste some money on the euro millions on the off chance you're that one in tens of millions.
Micheal Booth
What's all the fuss about? If you can't afford it then stop playing it. Some people like the sound of their own moaning voices!!
jimmyjedi1979
poor mans tax
David Francis
Problem is Jim that the tax doesn't go to the government - it goes mostly to quango charities the management and the shareholders. Just have a look at the accounts of some of these 'good causes' - very little goes into helping the needy - it's mostly spent on admin.
Fred Spoons
Forget it. Complete non runner. Goodbye!
fish41
just designed to squeeze more from those who have less. In theory if people only spend what they can afford on lottery tickets then as others have said they will just buy less---unless your the poorest and only usually buy 1 ticket.
movvi
Hmmm. They say they have done this so people can win "£25 for matching three numbers, bigger jackpots and a brand new way to play and win one of 50 prizes of a guaranteed £20,000 on each and every draw." They probably didn't also say they wanted to pay double for this! Say you have 3 lines. On Saturdays only, that was fine. Then, if using the same numbers every week, you more or less had to enter them in Wednesday's draw, just in case they came up. 6 quid. Double that, and it's 48 quid a month. What a great time to double the price. Stinker!
sunshine
I am sick and tired of all the whiners and whingers in this country. Like everything in life, don't follow the socialist policy of spending what you cannot afford.
davenlesley
The lottery is not compulsory folks so don't waste your money. You have more chance of being struck by lightening on the way to put it on than of winning the jackpot. Camelot are in business to make money for themselves not to make you a millionaire, remember that
stevie may
9:36am on 17/1/2013
Rip off
davenlesley
7:02pm on 17/1/2013
Stevie. Then don't pay it simple.