Lotto offer is optional, says Camelot

Retailers that only sell scratchcards will not be forced to offer all National Lottery games if they feel they aren’t right for their store.

The last few weeks have seen Retail Express receive a number of calls and letters from retailers worried that they were having draw-based games introduced to their stores despite not asking for them.

But James Pearson, Camelot’s new head of retail, said retailers can opt out of keeping the new terminals by filling in a slip, on the documentation that accompanies the terminals, by October 23.

Pearson said the terminals were being offered to 9,000 scratchcard-only stores and the majority of these retailers were “excited” about the opportunity. “The opt-out approach is different, but means less paperwork for retailers, and us,” he said. “We’d urge all retailers to give it a go and see if it works in their stores.”

The opt-out approach is different, but means less paperwork for retailers, and us. We’d urge all retailers to give it a go and see if it works in their stores

In a poll carried out by Retail Express’ sister title Retail Newsagent, two thirds of retailers said they would opt out of Camelot’s offer.

In response to complaints that retailers being sent the terminals were being charged £50 per month, Pearson emphasised the investment that Camelot has made in its terminals and supporting materials over the past three years, including its big relaunch in 2013. “For retailers without a full Altura terminal, sales will be lower and footfall will be lower,” he said.

Next week will see the launch of a new-look Lotto game, with 25 guaranteed millionaires in the first draw on Saturday October 10, a new TV ad campaign and six retailer-specific draws offering a £5,000 jackpot.

New Lotto games will have draws based on 59 balls, compared to the current 49, bigger prizes for three numbers and a free entry ticket for those who match two numbers.

“The new ‘Millionaire Raffle’ will guarantee at least two millionaires each week, while the move to 59 balls will result in bigger rolling jackpots where average jackpots are expected to be triple what they are today,” added Pearson.