National Lottery upgrades systems after unprecedented downtime
- The National Lottery was temporarily paused to allow for a major systems upgrade.
- The new Wave lottery terminals were introduced to improve transaction speeds.
- Allwyn's successful weekend operations reinstatement suggests a positive reception from the players and retailers.
In the UK, the National Lottery's operations were temporarily halted over the weekend as Allwyn undertook a significant technology overhaul. This decision led to the suspension of all draw game sales and prize claims in shops beginning at 11 PM on Saturday night following the Lotto and Thunderball draws. Allwyn's objective was to modernize its retail systems, transferring operations to new platforms that would enhance the overall player experience. By Monday morning at 9 AM, the upgraded in-store terminals were operational, with online systems going live at 9:30 AM. The first ticket using the new 'state-of-the-art' Wave lottery terminals was purchased in Peterlee, County Durham, highlighting the quick turnaround in operations. The upgrades benefited both players and retailers by speeding up transaction times while preserving an existing online experience. In the first hour of operations, Allwyn reported the sale of over 118,000 tickets, showcasing a strong demand following the system's revival. The quick recovery of the National Lottery reflects Allwyn's commitment to modernizing its technology while ensuring minimal disruption to its users.