The British government is mulling over whether to ban betting companies from offering wagers on the outcome of the new Powerball draw now that the format has been launched in the UK.
Allwyn UK, operator of Britain’s National Lottery, launched Powerball on 21 June 2026, in the lottery format’s debut outside the US. Allwyn has lauded the new product as a milestone moment, with jackpots potentially reaching billions of pounds in rare cases.
However, a conundrum has now arisen for UK betting firms. It is common practice in the UK for bookmakers to offer wagers on the outcomes of overseas lotteries, such as the Irish and Spanish national lotteries, and the US Powerball.
This is not the case for the UK National Lottery, however, which is off limits for domestic betting firms. The new Powerball is not legally off limits, however, as the original legislation refers to the original portfolio of National Lottery products.
As the Powerball is new, it is not covered by this legislation and is not off limits.
Vicky Foxcroft, Undersecretary of State at the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), who holds political oversight of the British betting, gambling and lottery sectors, explained that the government is evaluating whether banning US Powerball bets would uphold Section 95 of the 2005 Gambling Act.
Section 95, Foxcroft explained, “seeks to preserve the distinction between betting and the National Lottery” and prevent “customer confusion and threats to the additional good causes expected to be raised from Powerball”.
“The government therefore proposes to prohibit licensed operators in Great Britain from offering third party bets on the National Lottery’s Powerball game draws,” she said. “This will aim to remove risks of customer confusion for players, and ensure National Lottery good causes are maximised.”
Foxcroft added that banning licensed betting firms in the UK from taking bets on Powerball will “remove risks of customer confusion for players, and ensure National Lottery good causes are maximised”.
The government has launched a consultation on the topic. Interested parties have until midnight 4 November 2026 to submit responses.
“We invite submissions from across the betting and lottery sectors, operators which may be affected, players and other interested parties,” said Foxcroft.
