National Lottery tech upgrade hits snags - billions in charity funds at stake

The National Lotterys tech upgrade is hitting major roadblocks under its new Czech owner - putting billions in charity funding at risk. Karel Komarekʼs company Allwyn (which took control about 9 months ago) promised to double good-cause contributions‚ but the tech switch isnt going as planned

The system changeover‚ originally set for early-2024 keeps getting pushed back. Sources say experts compare the upgrade to a complex cross-platform mess: “trying to stick a Microsoft system on top of an Apple computer“. A key board-meeting this week will decide if the new feb-2025 deadline stays‚ but some think summer-2025 is more realistic

This delay affects Allwyns bold promise to raise donations from £17.9bn to £38bn during its license period. The current weekly donations (around £30m) are way below targets‚ and projections show hundreds of millions less than expected in the first couple years. Andria Vidler‚ Allwyns UK chief‚ still says shes “filled with optimism“ about boosting funding through innovation

The problems started when previous tech provider IGT went to court about the switch. Since 94ʼ theyʼd been running lottery terminals across UK shops; now Scientific Games cant seem to get the new system ready. The challenge is huge - theyʼre dealing with 30-years worth of data that needs to work perfectly (or risk major problems with the games)

• Previous yearly funding was £1.8bn
• New promised weekly target: £60m
• Current investment in upgrade: £350m
• Years of data to transfer: 30

One ex-Camelot insider doubts the whole plan: “We could not see any possible way you could ever raise that sort of money whatsoever“