Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2023
153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the total amount received by National Lottery players in prizemoney on an annual basis over the past five years; the total spent on advertising in the same period; the number and value of prizes won in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40938/23]
View answerI am informed by the Regulator of the National Lottery that the value of prizes won by players in the past five years is as per the table below:
|
2018 |
€453.6m |
|
2019 |
€497.5m |
|
2020 |
€528.9m |
|
2021 |
€585.9m |
|
2022 |
€484.9m |
As the number and value of prizes won is highly correlated with the level of sales, the sales figures and prize percentage for each year are provided in the table below:
|
Year |
Sales |
Prizes Won |
|
2018 |
€805m |
€453.6m (56.3%) |
|
2019 |
€884.5m |
€497.5m (56.2%) |
|
2020 |
€918.9m |
€528.9m (57.6%) |
|
2021 |
€1053.7m |
€585.9m (55.6%) |
|
2022 |
€884.1m |
€484.9m (54.8%) |
Source: Premier Lotteries Ireland (DAC) audited accounts
Regarding the number of prizes won in any period: information provided to the Regulator by the Operator - Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI) - notes that prize winnings above €15,000 must be claimed directly from the National Lottery, where winners are required to identify themselves to the operator PLI; whereas winners of most small prizes collect them in retail outlets anonymously.
Details in respect of the number of prizes won of above €15,000 for the years 2019 to 2022 inclusive are as set out in the following table.
Number of prizes won by year, by prize amount:
|
Year |
Prizes of €1m or more |
Prizes from €500,000 to €999,999 |
Prizes from €15,000 to €499,999 |
|
2022 |
34 |
30 |
540 |
|
2021 |
31 |
49 |
501 |
|
2020 |
33 |
37 |
234 |
|
2019 |
30 |
40 |
228 |
In considering the above table, it is noted that in accordance with the published Game Rules, any change in ticket sales will affect the number of prizes won and the prize amounts. In 2021, both the Covid-19 pandemic and record-breaking €19 million Lotto Jackpot rollover, impacted National Lottery ticket sales - pushing them to an all-time high.
The number of prizes won in the €15,000 to €499,999 bracket were higher in 2021 and 2022 due to the historic Lotto jackpot rollover that ran from 9th June 2021 until the 'Will Be Won' draw that took place on Saturday 15th January 2022.
From Wednesday 29th September 2021, the jackpot was capped at €19.06m which resulted in the prize money, that would usually be added to the jackpot, flowing down to the next highest prize tier of which there was a winner(s).
Regarding the total amount received by National Lottery players in prizemoney on an annual basis, I am informed by the Regulator that information on prizes paid out is not collated in this manner. The Operator (PLI) does track where prizes go unclaimed and expire – as PLI is obliged under the Licence to spend this money on promoting the National Lottery – and this figure is reported for each financial year to the Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery and reviewed for regulatory purposes. However, the amount of prize money paid out in a financial year is not tracked - it is not required for regulatory, audit or commercial purposes - and therefore is not available. For completeness, it is noted that subtracting the amount of unclaimed prizes in a year from the amount of prizes won in a year does not equate to the amount paid out in a year.
In relation to the total amount spent on advertising over the same period, I am informed by the Regulator that this information is the confidential information of the Licensee and cannot be released by the Regulator without the Operator’s consent. Having put this matter to the Operator, the Regulator was informed by the Operator that it considers such information to be commercially sensitive, as it is for all other commercial entities, and consequently, the Operator is not in a position to provide consent for the release of that information.
