Camelot overhauls lottery as ticket sales fall

National Lottery operator Camelot’s boss on Tuesday warned that it would “take some time” to turn around flagging sales for its mega-money prize draws.

Lotteries veteran Nigel Railton, who ran a strategic review in the summer, said changes to Lotto would give players “a better winning experience” and is testing options. The interim boss was confirmed as permanent.

In 2015, Camelot took the number of balls in the Lotto draw from 49 to 59, cutting the chance of winning the jackpot from 14 million to one to just 45 million to one. Other changes to the competition, which has been fronted by actress Gemma Arterton (pictured), could involve an annuity-style “cash-for-life” prize instead of a big jackpot.

Sales of draw-based games fell £34 million to £1.9 billion in the six months to September 30, as Lotto’s weak performance dragged down stronger EuroMillions sales.

Railton said: “I don’t underestimate the challenge ahead of us. It is going to take some time to turn things around.”