National Lottery Pauses for Major Upgrade Impacting Players Across UK
So here's something you definitely want to know if you're a regular National Lottery player: there's a big pause happening — and it’s not just a small glitch or a typical maintenance window. Starting at 11pm on Saturday , right after the Lotto and Thunderball draws, all National Lottery sales and prize payouts will be paused for about 36 hours . That means until late Monday morning , you won't be able to buy tickets, check your numbers in-store, or even claim any winnings, whether you're online or at your usual corner shop.
This temporary halt is part of what’s being called an “unprecedented” tech upgrade , the biggest overhaul in the lottery’s 31-year history. According to the operator, Allwyn, this massive update will modernise the entire system — and it’s long overdue. Just to put it in perspective, the last major systems powering the National Lottery were put in place back in 2009 — before things like iPads, Instagram, or Uber even existed . So yeah, this upgrade’s not just welcome — it’s essential.
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Now, during the pause, the National Lottery website and app will also be offline . So players are being urged to do everything they need to — buy tickets, check results, claim prizes — before Saturday night. However, if you’re a fan of scratchcards , don’t worry. Those will still be available in stores, and you’ll still be able to view draw results on YouTube .
So what’s changing? A lot, actually. Once the upgrade is done, players can expect more than 200 new instant-win games , an updated look across all 43,500 retail locations, and a smoother, more modern experience overall. One of the big convenience improvements? If you win a prize in-store, you’ll soon be able to receive direct bank transfers instead of waiting for a cheque. But there is a new process — you’ll need to fill out a claim form online, upload a photo of your winning ticket , and then submit your banking details through a secure email link.
This massive shift is also aimed at doing more good: Allwyn plans to double the amount of money returned to good causes each week — from £30 million to £60 million by the end of their licence. It’s a huge promise, but one they say this upgrade makes possible.
So, while the short-term disruption might be inconvenient for players and shopkeepers alike, Allwyn’s CEO says it’s all part of a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to bring back the magic of the National Lottery and make it something truly impactful for the future.
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