Ahead of the Winter Olympic Games, national lotteries across the continent are providing hundreds of millions of euros in funding to support Olympic and grassroots sport, according to new data from The European Lotteries (EL).
EL said more than 80% of its member organisations currently support the Olympic movement, with nearly four in five providing direct funding to athletes and national teams.
That support amounted to €123m in direct investment in elite athletes and high-performance programmes, alongside €627m in indirect funding for grassroots sport, facilities and long-term development.
National lotteries support a wide range of athletes, from those at local clubs to Olympic competitions to ensure sport remains accessible throughout every community.
However, the scale of that funding has come under political scrutiny in some countries in recent years.
In 2021, the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) held community hearings as part of its evaluation of the National Lottery licence competition, examining whether returns for good causes had kept pace with operator profits.
At the time, the DCMS said it was reviewing criticism that then-operator Camelot UK had increased corporate profits at a faster rate than funding for good causes.
A 2017 National Audit Office report cited during the process showed returns for good causes had risen by 2%, compared with a 127% increase in Camelot’s profits.
Evidence was heard from Team GB athletes on the impact of National Lottery funding, alongside expert testimony from researchers and public policy specialists.
The licence review resulted in the award of a new National Lottery licence, with reforms aimed at boosting returns to good causes and reinforcing responsible gambling obligations.
Five years down the line, EL data shows that financial links between Olympic teams and lotteries remain strong as ever.
Around half of EL members also support the Paralympic and Special Olympics movements, however, the figures for these movements are a lot lower, at 57% and 48% respectively.
“Behind every successful Olympic Games lie years of investment in athletes, programmes, infrastructure, and communities,” said Piet Van Baeveghem, EL Secretary General.
“This year, sustained funding once again supports athletes’ long-term preparation, specialised facilities, and grassroots winter sport across Europe.
“National lotteries are proud to stand behind the Olympic movement. Without crucial lottery funding, the Games would not inspire so many – or be the success that they are today.”
The Winter Olympic Games begin on Friday 6 February in Milan and Cortina.