Allwyn moves UK National Lottery to Scientific Games’ Momentum

Scientific Games has confirmed that is has completed the transition of Allwyn’s UK National Lottery operations onto its Momentum ecosystem.

Momentum now powers the National Lottery operations across 43,500 retailers in the UK. Scientific Games said the switch represented the largest technology conversion in global lottery industry history.

Allwyn sought to replace the lottery’s legacy 2009 central gaming system, integrating several new systems across multiple suppliers. This saw 43,500 retailer terminals converted to the software ahead of a full rollout of Scientific Games’ WAVE terminals in August.

The tech upgrade took place between 2-4 August, with National Lottery systems shutting down completely to allow for the transition. Scientific Games completed the switch overnight, with almost all retailers resuming ticket sales soon thereafter. Allwyn and Scientific Games then partnered to deliver additional technical support to remaining retailers, with this process now complete.

Anchored by Scientific Games’ central lottery gaming system, Momentum includes several value-add products such as the Gem suite of enterprise, Salesforce, claims and licensing applications. Momentum is also used to power lotteries across North America, Europe and Oceania.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver the National Lottery that the UK deserves,” Allwyn CEO Andria Vidler said of the shift.

“We’ve made unprecedented and much-needed changes. These are moving us closer to achieving our vision for the National Lottery, restoring its magic and significantly increasing its positive impact on lives across the UK.”

Further improvements ahead for National Lottery

The tech upgrade is just one of the changes Allwyn has planned for the National Lottery. It is also switching up the lottery’s digital offering, with upgrades set to be rolled out in due course.

Scientific Games has committed to supporting Allwyn with its National Lottery plans. Early in 2024, in line with Allwyn assuming control of the lottery, the supplier opened a new logistics facility in Warrington in the UK to serve National Lottery retailers.

“We continue to be impressed with the smooth execution of this large-scale, collaborative project with Allwyn UK,” Scientific Games CEO Patrick McHugh said.

“A network of more than 43,000 terminals was switched from the legacy system to the new Scientific Games systems, with retailers nationally selling two hours ahead of the planned cut-over schedule.

“Our global technology teams are inspired as we have a number of systems conversions actively under way.”

Allwyn’s Vidler added: “These major upgrades will allow us to deliver on our promise to bring new, exciting games; a better player experience; and our commitment to double returns to good causes by the end of the 10-year licence.

“We’re very grateful to our players, our retailers and our partners, stakeholders and colleagues for their ongoing support. We look forward to working with Scientific Games to deliver the further upgrades to the National Lottery’s digital channels.”

Regulatory action still a possibility over delays

However, while Allwyn remains committed to further upgrades, it could be penalised over delays to this process.

Great Britain’s Gambling Commission is said to be weighing up regulatory action over failure to deliver on promises made during its successful bid for the fourth National Lottery licence. According to The Times, the regulator is concerned that Allwyn has not met certain contractual milestones since securing the licence.

Among the mooted changes are reduced ticket prices for National Lottery draws from £2 to £1. This has yet to be implemented despite Allwyn pledging to do so prior to securing the licence.

A statement sent to iGB by Allwyn in July said of the delay: “Due to the delay to the technical cutover, we have missed a contractual milestone in the Enabling Agreement.

“We continue to work together with the Gambling Commission on the impact of this missed milestone under the terms of the Enabling Agreement. The Gambling Commission is still investigating what, if any, enforcement action might be taken against Allwyn in relation to the missed milestone.”

The commission said it would not comment on individual cases before any decisions are made.