Vodafone and Allwyn UK have finalised an agreement to upgrade the technology underpinning the new UK National Lottery licence launching in February 2024.

The partnership will see the existing National Lottery communications infrastructure upgraded to a mobile first approach, which is easier to deploy, more manageable and helps support retailers to grow sales. Vodafone will also be working with Allwyn to provide digital skills training for retailers across the UK, as part of Allwyn’s commitment to support high-street retailers over the course of the ten-year licence period.

Research by Vodafone and Allwyn found that a third of Brits would like to see more digital technology in their local convenience store, rising to half with consumers aged 35 and under. It revealed that the most common forms of digital tech being used by local corner shops were websites (19%), social media (16%), and self-service checkouts (15%). However, only 12% of customers said their local store had a mobile app or loyalty scheme and only 9% said they were aware of online collection ordering services, findings that suggest there is an opportunity for local convenience shop retailers to include digital technology in their customers’ shopping experience.

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As part of the agreement, Vodafone will provide IoT connectivity and broadband which will be delivered as a private secure network for all retail sites. Vodafone will also host the lottery in its UK data centres and provide Allwyn with Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity to all their offices.

Nick Gliddon, UK Business Director, Vodafone, said: “We understand the role that digital technology can play in transforming a business and improving customer experience. Since the lottery began, local shops have used pen and paper at lottery kiosks and, despite the significant technological shifts, not much has changed. This partnership is a significant digital step forward that will help high street retailers keep up with changing consumer patterns, engaging new audiences and supporting Allwyn with reinvigorating the UK National Lottery so that it can continue to raise funds for good causes.”

Robert Chvatal, Interim-CEO, Allwyn UK, said: “Today’s news concludes the partnership agreement we signed during the competition for the Fourth National Lottery Licence. What we have now, with Vodafone, is a clearly defined scope and plan that will lead to numerous improvements on the current technology offer. In line with this improvement, there will be a number of benefits for retailers. Physical retail is a critically important part of our plan to grow the National Lottery and this is just one of the many things we are committed to doing over the course of the Fourth Licence to better support our retail partners with the investment and equipment they need to grow their own businesses.”