UK Consultation Targets Third-Party Betting Ban on National Lottery Powerball
DCMS has opened a consultation until 4 November 2026 on banning third-party bets on National Lottery Powerball, added in June 2026. The proposal closes a Gambling Act 2005 loophole to prevent customer confusion and protect £1 billion in projected good causes funding over five years.
SCCG Take — The narrowly drawn prohibition underscores regulators’ focus on lottery funding integrity. Operators must review product exposure and engage before the deadline to shape enforceable boundaries.
The UK government has launched a consultation on proposals to prohibit licensed betting operators from offering wagers on National Lottery Powerball outcomes. As reported by World Casino News, the move seeks to close a gap that arose when the game joined the portfolio in June 2026 and align it with restrictions on other National Lottery products.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is leading the process, open until 23:59 on 4 November 2026. Input is requested from operators, consumers, lottery stakeholders and others on a new licence condition. Powerball produces large jackpots, including a record $2 billion prize in November 2022. Allwyn UK projects the UK version will raise an additional £1 billion for Good Causes over five years.
Legislative Gap and Proposed Licence Condition
Section 95 of the Gambling Act 2005 bars betting on National Lottery products such as Lotto and EuroMillions while permitting wagers on overseas lotteries. Powerball’s addition created an unintended opening because the statute predated its inclusion. Vicky Foxcroft, Undersecretary of State at DCMS, said Section 95 “seeks to preserve the distinction between betting and the National Lottery”. Foxcroft added that the government wants to prevent customer confusion and threats to good causes funding.
“The government therefore proposes to prohibit licensed operators in Great Britain from offering third party bets on the National Lottery’s Powerball game draws,” Foxcroft said. “This will aim to remove risks of customer confusion for players, and ensure National Lottery good causes are maximized.” The change would be enacted under Section 78(1) of the Gambling Act 2005.
Risks of a Narrowly Targeted Approach
Officials considered but rejected a wider ban on all lottery betting, voluntary industry steps through the Gambling Commission, and mandatory operator contributions to Good Causes. Prior EuroMillions experience showed bettors can confuse third-party wagers with direct lottery play, potentially reducing official sales and good cause returns. The focused Powerball restriction carries the limitation that comparable gaps for future products may require repeated interventions.
The consultation outcome will set the boundary for this integration. Operators should assess exposure to lottery-linked betting lines and prepare evidence-based submissions before the November deadline. Regulators gain an opportunity to test precise licensing tools without broader market disruption.
Reporting: World Casino News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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