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Camelot, operator of the UK National Lottery has reported its end of year sales are down just 1.7% to £3.85 billion after taking an 18% hit at the beginning of the pandemic.
Digital Sales All-Time High
Retail sales account for 70% of sales of lottery tickets, at the beginning of the crisis Camelot hit an 18% deficit as shops closed. However, online sales shot through the roof, and end of year sales were down by only 1.7%. Digital sales hit its highest ever level with sales of £1.62 billion in six months up to September 2020.The news comes after Camelot fight to retain their license once it comes up for renewal in 2023 to run until 2033, with the bidding process run by the UK Gambling Commission. The license is the fourth in the history of the game and Camelot has owned the license since 1994.Chief Executive of Camelot said, “While there are no guarantees that we’ll finish the year in as strong a place as we ended the first half, we’ll continue to focus on our strategy for long-term, responsible growth – adapting our plans as necessary according to the circumstances.”
1.3 Million Lottery Sign Up’s
1.3 million new online sign-ups were achieved in the last half of the year, Camelot responded by increasing resources to its technical support and lowering the minimum bet.Since its inception, the National Lottery has raised millions in contributions and during the pandemic has donated £300 million in Community Fund Covid-19 support package. In 2020, Camelot awarded £2.2 billion in prizes and £5.5 million more than the previous year, with 203 millionaires made.