There are approximately 3,600 licences available for the sale of scratch card tickets of which 2,010 also sell on-line lotto tickets. In appointing agents, the national lottery company use the following selection criteria: location; type of outlet; opening hours; turnover; traffic-type of customer; number of staff; number of cash points; condition of outlet; seasonal trade; proximity of other existing agents; reason for wanting agency; general disposition of applicant; applicant's experience in business; existing scratch card sales if applicant is seeking lotto; credit worth; type of tenancy — freehold or lease long-term short-term; and owner operated or staff managed business.
A breakdown of outlets by county is a follows: