Introduction
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (the Department) launched the National Lottery (the Lottery) in November 1994. The Lottery, currently run by Camelot UK Lotteries Ltd (Camelot), aims to raise money for good causes in the arts, sports, heritage, health, education, environment and charitable sectors. Lottery products include scratch cards and instant-win games, and draw-based games. A proportion of proceeds from the Lottery is paid into the National Lottery Distribution Fund. This money is drawn on by 12 non-departmental public bodies (the Distributors) that make payments to good causes. The Gambling Commission (the Commission) regulates the Lottery and enforces the terms of Camelot’s operating licence. Since it began the Lottery has raised over £37 billion for good causes. After rising for several years, in 2016–17 income for good causes fell by 15% and ticket sales fell by 9%.
5 April 2018