The UK National Lottery will take its app and website offline this weekend as operator Allwyn implements a massive digital overhaul designed to introduce stricter player safety measures.
The planned outage is scheduled to begin at 11:00 PM on Saturday, January 24, following the evening’s main draws. The blackout will last through Sunday, January 25, during which time players will be unable to log in, purchase tickets online, or play Instant Win games.
What Changes for Players?
While the Lotto and Thunderball draws will proceed as scheduled on Saturday night, the digital doors will remain closed until the update is complete. Retail operations are unaffected—tickets and Scratchcards can still be purchased in shops, and prizes up to £100 (or £500 at retailer discretion) can still be claimed in person.
The update represents the most significant shift for the platform in years. Key changes include mandatory personal deposit and spend limits for new customers, a 60-minute automatic logout, and a forced 10-minute cool-down period. “Reality checks” will also be introduced during Instant Win gaming sessions.
A Milestone for Allwyn
Allwyn CEO Andria Vidler framed the technical upgrade as a critical step in the operator’s long-term vision.
“These much-needed digital upgrades mark another milestone in our transformation to make The National Lottery more player-focused, with new games, more winners, and greater support for Good Causes,” Vidler said.
She also highlighted the financial goals tied to the transformation: “We are working toward our ambitious goal to double weekly returns to Good Causes from £30 million a week at the start of the licence to £60 million by 2034.”
Players who win prizes during the online blackout will be able to view and claim them once the system comes back online late Sunday.
