From engraved swimming pools to luckiest balls – Camelot Lotto era ends after 30 years

The National Lottery, under the stewardship of Camelot for nearly 30 years, has captivated lottery enthusiasts with thrilling jackpots. However, a new chapter is about to begin as Allwyn takes over the reins from Camelot next Thursday. Let’s take a look at the remarkable achievements of Camelot and some lucky winners who became millionaires.

A Legacy of Jackpot Joy

Since its launch in November 1994, the National Lottery has generated a mind-boggling £178 billion in ticket sales, scratch cards, and online games. This staggering amount could fund the NHS for an entire year or repair our roads for well over a decade. Camelot has truly made a significant impact on society.

Continuing the Tradition of Winning

Allwyn, the new operator, plans to maintain the existing games that players know and love. Lotto, EuroMillions, Thunderball, Set For Life, scratch cards, and online instant wins will all continue to offer exciting prizes. So, lottery enthusiasts can still dream big and hope for a life-changing win.

Unforgettable Winners and Their Stories

Throughout its history, the National Lottery has created many millionaires and changed countless lives. Let’s take a look at some remarkable winners:

• Roy Gibney, a sheet metal worker from Grimsby, won £7.5 million in July 1998 and had his winning numbers engraved on the bottom of his swimming pool. Talk about swimming in good fortune!
  

• Ray and Barbara Wragg of Sheffield won £7.6 million in January 2000 and donated £5.5 million to various charities and good causes.

• In November 2009, seven IT experts from Hewlett Packard in Liverpool won a whopping £45.5 million on EuroMillions, sharing £6.5 million each.

• Sarah Cockings, a social work student from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, won £3.4 million in 2005 and spent £10,000 on breast augmentation. She used her winnings to enhance her confidence and enjoy life to the fullest.
  

• Becca Brown from Nottingham used her share of a £1 million prize in 2016, amounting to £12,000, to finance her successful IVF treatment. In 2020, she gave birth to her daughter Ethel, a true testament to the life-changing power of the lottery.
  

• Peter Congdon of Truro, Cornwall, won a staggering £13.5 million in 2015 and donated £1 million to a multiple sclerosis charity in memory of his late wife, who had battled the condition for 30 years.

These are just a few examples of the incredible stories that have emerged from the National Lottery over the years.

Unforgettable Facts and Figures

Here are some fascinating facts and figures that highlight the legacy of the National Lottery under Camelot’s management:

• The first-ever National Lottery draw, which took place on television, attracted an astonishing 22 million viewers, around 40% of the population.
  

• The number of balls in the Lotto was increased by ten in October 2015. The most commonly drawn ball is 39, which has appeared 372 times, making it the “luckiest” ball.
  

• Birmingham holds the title for the luckiest place for Lotto wins, with a total of 209 winners hailing from the city.
  

• Almost exactly half of Lotto winners have achieved their life-changing wins through a Lucky Dip ticket with randomly selected numbers.
  

As we bid farewell to Camelot’s remarkable tenure, let’s celebrate the enduring impact of the National Lottery and look forward to the exciting future under Allwyn’s leadership.

Read More: National Lottery: The End of an Era