National Lottery provider Camelot has announced a record rise in ticket sales and money generated for good causes for the first six months of the financial year.

From April to September 2021 the amount generated for good causes was £884.5m, up from £863.7m last year.

This is a rise of 2.4% and brings the total returns for good causes since the Lottery’s launch in 1994 to more than £45bn, which is 65% more than Treasury forecasts at the time, says Camelot.

Retail sales recovery is among factors in an increase in ticket sales over the period, according to the National Lottery provider.

Over the period Camelot has announced total ticket sales of £3.96bn, an increase of £107.3m on last year. This is its highest ever first half of the year ticket sales.

“I’m delighted to announce another record sales performance for The National Lottery,” said Camelot chair Hugh Robertson.

“Crucially, this meant that we were able to deliver growth in returns to Good Causes, prizes paid to players, and Lottery Duty to the Treasury.”

The licence to run the National Lottery has been held by Camelot since 1994 and is due to expire at the end of January 2023.

In April, it emerged that children’s charity Barnardo’s is working with Italian lottery provider Sisal to launch a rival bid.

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