written and last updated by
Sam Smith at
20 Nov 2024
Journalist, Editorial Department
On November 19, the National Lottery celebrated its 30th anniversary. The first draw took place in 1994 on BBC, hosted by Noel Edmonds, and millions of residents across the UK purchased tickets for the event.
Initially, the National Lottery was operated by Camelot, which managed the draws exclusively until 2024. However, the landscape changed dramatically in February when the Fourth National Lottery License came into effect, transferring the responsibilities to the new operator, Allwyn.
According to the National Lottery, players have contributed over £50 billion (approximately 6.32 trillion rubles) since its inception three decades ago. These funds have been allocated to various causes, including the arts, sports, cultural heritage, healthcare, education, environmental protection, and charity.
One notable example of funding is the Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare, which has been designated as a Grade II listed building. Last month, the National Lottery awarded £10 million (around 1.26 billion rubles) for its preservation and restoration.
In a statement on their LinkedIn page, the Gambling Commission expressed gratitude for the congratulations received on the 30th anniversary. A representative stated, "We thank our colleagues who, through the regulation of the National Lottery, protect the interests of players and maximize the impact of donations. Thanks to their hard work, we can ensure that public, artistic, sporting, and cultural heritage projects continue to provide real benefits to millions of people across the country."
It is worth noting that the UK National Lottery paid out over £4.5 billion in prizes in 2023 alone.
