Allwyn Initiates 24-Hour Digital Shutdown
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Allwyn has confirmed a comprehensive 24-hour suspension of all United Kingdom National Lottery digital services to execute the most significant technical infrastructure upgrade in the lottery's recent history. The operator announced on January 22 that the National Lottery website and mobile app will go offline from 11:00 PM GMT on Saturday, January 24, until 11:00 PM GMT on Sunday, January 25, to facilitate the migration of 11.8 million player accounts to a new central management system.
Key Takeaways
- Total Digital Blackout: Online and app-based sales will be suspended for 24 hours this weekend to allow for a secure system switchover.
- Scale of Migration: Approximately 11.8 million player accounts are being moved to a modernized platform designed to support future product growth and responsible gaming tools.
- Retail Continuity: The lottery’s network of over 40,000 retail terminals will remain fully operational, ensuring uninterrupted sales for physical ticket buyers.
A Critical Step in Allwyn’s Transformation Strategy
This weekend’s scheduled downtime marks a pivotal moment in Allwyn’s stewardship of the UK National Lottery, which began in February 2024. The migration represents the largest technical overhaul of the lottery’s digital ecosystem since 2009. By transitioning to this new player account management (PAM) platform, Allwyn aims to modernize the user experience, introducing a wider array of instant games and streamlined prize claim processes.
The upgrade is also central to Allwyn's responsible gaming commitments. The new system will implement mandatory personal deposit and spend limits for all new customers immediately upon registration. Existing players will benefit from enhanced behavioral monitoring tools, aligning with the operator's regulatory obligations to minimize gambling harm while growing the player base.
Allwyn UK CEO Andria Vidler described the upgrade as a necessary milestone to make the lottery "more player-focused." The successful migration of these accounts is a prerequisite for Allwyn’s long-term commercial objective: doubling the weekly returns to Good Causes from £30 million to £60 million by the end of its ten-year license in 2034.
While digital channels undergo this complex transition, the lottery’s retail channel will serve as the primary revenue driver for the 24-hour period. Allwyn has assured retailers that in-store terminals are unaffected, and draw results will continue to be distributed via YouTube and retail displays, minimizing disruption to the traditional player base.
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