UK government to ban bets on EuroMillions

The UK government has announced plans to ban gambling operators from taking bets on the EuroMillions in an effort to protect the amount of money going to good causes.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) today published its response to the consultation it launched back in March, ruling favourably for Camelot, which had argued EuroMillions ticket sales were suffering in the face of competition from the likes of Lottoland and Jackpot.com.

And the government agreed, writing today: “We intend to introduce a new licence condition to prohibit consumers in Great Britain from placing bets on EuroMillions games.

“This will ensure that these draws receive the same level of protection in relation to funds for good causes raised.

“Betting operators will still be able to offer bets on international lotteries.”

The Gambling Act has always protected National Lottery draws from being bet on but protection had not previously extended to EuroMillions due to a loophole which meant UK consumers were technically betting on the outcome of the draw in Spain or France, for example.

During the consultation Lottoland provided evidence which showed its product had no statistical impact on EuroMillions UK sales, and may even have a positive effect.

However the DCMS said the evidence “was not sufficient,” and it remained concerned that more widespread betting on EuroMillions would impact sales.

According to the consultation document, of the five respondent organisations that offer bets on EuroMillions, three said 15% or more of their profits were due to EuroMillions products.

The DCMS estimated its decision would cut profits across the bet-on-lotteries industry by around £5m.

It is the second major blow to Lottoland in the last month, after Australian officials banned it from taking bets on domestic lotteries in that country.

The operator had not yet responded to an EGR request for comment at the time of writing.