National Lottery instant-play games such as Scratchcards sales now make up for 25% of all Camelot’s revenue . It has made them an integral source of revenue for good causes and next year’s Olympics in London.

In just six months to 24 September they were showing total sales of £3.26bn which is up 19.9% not withstanding the pressure  of consumer spending in the retail market.

In March last year The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan acquired Camelot and seems to be heading for more than  £6bn in full-year sales when it is expected to release its annual figures . They will disclose the results only a month before the Olympics opening ceremony next summer.

Scratchcards seem to be the most popular form of gambling in the UK after lottery draws which is according to a 3 yearly survey carried out on behalf of the gambling commission last year. In the survey it was noted that Scratch Cards attracted younger punters, but also a lot of unemployed people. Scratch cards provide and instant win and the odds are better than the lottery for sure. In Online scratch cards sites usually one in three cards wins which I am sure is the reason we see big growth in the Scratchcard industry and an attraction by these groups.

According to Camelot the survey’s findings did not necessarily pertain mostly to its Scratch Cardsand they conducted their own research which thought that lottery branded cards were no more popular amongst any income group or age bracket than Scratch Cards

“Christmas Millionaire” and “Snow me the Money” are some of the latest branded Scratchcards that Camelot has been investing in.They are  continuously updating all their Scratch Card brands. They have stated they are committed “to long-term, responsible growth, which is based on offering players a regularly refreshed range of games, and maintaining our focus on innovation to give them – and our retailers – what they want and when they want it.”

According to Camelot sales of illegal scratchies to under-age children were negligible. They run  an under cover “secret shopper” programme to investigate reprobate retailers . Those that were detected had their sales terminals removed if they were continuously fount to be at fault.

The National Lottery commission regulator has the veto right to any Scratch Card themes used by Camelot and is supposed to block any scratch card theme that may appeal to any people under the legal gambling age of 16. This did not seem to be the case with a recently approved Scratch Cards game . Childhood memory board games called mouse trap and monopoly (Games targeted according to the manufacturer on the board game box, for ages 6+ and 8+) were featured in their new scratch card themes. A spokesman for the National lottery commission said “It was felt these scratchcards would appeal to adults in a retro sense,”

The fastest growing products for Camelot are instant play and win games including Scratch Cards with half yearly sales getting to £817m which is up 26% compared with the same period last year.This amount consists mainly from sales of Scratchcards which you find almost everywhere in petrol stations,supermarkets,newsagents etc.  but is also consists of a relatively small amount of sales from online instant play games. Camelot has refused to disclose a figure for its scratchcards sales.

The record number of national lottery terminals in operation in the UK is believed to be linked to scratchcards sales. In the UK today there are more than 28,800 lottery terminals in operation . Camelot is saying there is demand for at least another 8000 lottery terminals. Camelot’s 10-year exclusive  licence to run the National Lottery will expire at the end of 2018. It has said it would commit to rolling out these terminals only if the commission agrees to a five year extension to this date.

It has become more profitable for small retailers  to offer scratchcards than the Lotto or Euromillions. The sales commission the retailers now receive is 6% up from 5% which was raised by Camelot in 2009.