Code of Practice on Top Prize Management

Version 15 – January 2025

For Scratchcard games in circulation at 1st February 2024 – Categories of Scratchcards

This Code of Practice on Top Prize Management (“the Code”) for Scratchcard games covers the process which applies to the communication of Scratchcard Top Prize information to National Lottery players (including all forms of advertising).

A Top Prize refers to the highest value which is available to be won on a Scratchcard game.

Detailed information of the prizes which are available to be won at the start of each game is provided in the Scratchcard Game Procedures (available at www.national-lottery.co.uk or by contacting the National Lottery Line on 0333 234 50 50 (Calls cost no more than calls to 01 and 02 numbers. If your phone tariff offers inclusive calls to landlines, calls to 03 numbers will be included on the same basis)). Point of Sale (player-facing material distributed by Allwyn for display at retailers) shall indicate how players can find out the number of prizes yet to be claimed for an individual game. Details of how many Top Prizes are available in a Game will be available online at www.national-lottery.co.uk.

In all cases, once a Scratchcard game is removed from sale, Allwyn shall instruct retailers to remove any advertising material which refers to prizes. Allwyn shall take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that retailers comply with such instructions.

The following Scratchcards were allocated into three categories (A, B and C) dependent on the value of the Top Prize, or prizes that may be won. The table below explains what each category means.

• 1336 Gem Smash
• 1348 Gold 7s
• 1358 Cosmic Cash
• 1360 Mega Multiplier
• 1364 3 in 1
• 1365 Top Dog
• 1367 Cashword Blocks
• 1370 Money Tree Multiplier
• 1372 Triple Cashword Pink**
• 1375 £100,000 A Month For A Year
• 1376 Dice Towers
• 1377 £100,000 Red (bigger ticket)
• 1378 £250,000 Gold
• 1379 Lucky Drop
• 1380 Full of £500s
• 1381 Bingo Crazy
• 1382 £2MMillion Black
• 1383 12 Pays Of Christmas
• 1384 £100,000 Teal
• 1385 Jolly 7s
• 1386 Festive Fortune
• 1387 Merry Millionaire
• 1388 Lucky Bonus**
• 1389 Maze of Fortune
• 1390 £100 Loaded
• 1392 Black Pearl
• 1393 Cash Vault Jewels
• 1396 £50 Million Cash Showdown
• 1399 Holiday Cash

**these Scratchcard games launched after 1st February 2024 but were still categorised.

Categories of Scratchcards

Category	A	B	C
Definition	Games which offer cash Top Prizes, or Regular Payment Prizes with a combined total value of less than £121,000. A Regular Payment Prize refers to a cash prize where payment is spread over a period of no more than 12 months, as specified in the relevant Game Specific Rules. The prize may be paid in fixed equal weekly or monthly cash instalments. Players choose games in this category based on price, colour/visuals, and standout, with Top Prize a later consideration.	Games which offer cash Top Prizes and/or Non-Cash Prizes with a combined total value of less than £121,000. A Non-Cash Prize refers to any prize that includes an element that is not payable in cash, which does not negatively impact the image or reputation of The National Lottery. Players choose games in this category based on the chance to win either the Non-Cash Prize or the cash Top Prize.	Games which offer cash Top Prizes, Non-Cash Prizes, Regular Payment Prizes and/or Annuity Prizes with a combined value of £121,000 or more. A Regular Payment Prize refers to a cash prize where payment is spread over a period of no more than 12 months, as specified in the relevant Game Specific Rules. The prize may be paid in fixed equal weekly or monthly cash instalments. An Annuity Prize refers to a cash prize where payment is spread over fixed equal annual cash payments for the period specified in the relevant Game Specific Rules. Players choose games in this category based on prizes and expect that they can win one of the Top Prizes.
Terms	Scratchcards in this category may remain on sale whether or not a Top Prize remains to be claimed. Each game in this category shall have no fewer than 5 Top Prizes.	Scratchcards in this category can remain on sale whilst there is at least one of either the top cash prize or non-cash prize (whichever is higher in value) available to be won. Once the last Non-Cash Prize or cash Top Prize (whichever is the last remaining) has been validated, Allwyn will, within 24 hours, prevent further activations of the game being made. After this date retailers shall be permitted to sell Scratchcards that have already been activated. Unactivated packs shall be removed from retailers at the next game collection.	Once the last Top Prize has been validated, Allwyn shall, within 24 hours, prevent further activations from taking place. After this date retailers shall be permitted to sell Scratchcards that have already been activated. Unactivated packs shall be removed from retailers at the next game collection.
Communication	For any game falling under Category A, advertising can refer to the Top Prize available in the game, provided that a Top Prize can still be won. If the last cash Top Prize and/or Regular Payment prize is validated whilst Top Prize POS is still in-store, or Top Prize advertising is still on air, Allwyn must ensure that the messages are changed accordingly. In the case of digital advertising, this shall be done within 24 hours. In the case of printed advertising at retailers, Allwyn shall communicate to retailers to remove the items within 10 working days and take reasonable steps to ensure retailers comply with the instruction. Allwyn shall also take the following steps to inform players and retailers: The National Lottery Line shall communicate the message to all relevant callers. www.national-lottery.co.uk shall be updated within 1 working day.	For any game falling under Category B, advertising can refer to the Non-Cash Prize or cash Top Prize available in the game, provided that a Non-Cash Prize or cash Top Prize can still be won. If the last Non-Cash Prize or cash Top Prize is validated whilst POS is still in-store, or advertising is still on air, Allwyn must ensure that the messages are changed accordingly. In the case of digital advertising, this shall be done within 24 hours. In the case of printed advertising at retailers, Allwyn shall communicate to retailers to remove the items within 10 working days and take reasonable steps to ensure retailers comply with the instruction. Allwyn shall also take the following steps to inform players and retailers: The National Lottery Line shall communicate the message to all relevant callers. www.national-lottery.co.uk shall be updated within 1 working day. E-media digital screens shall be updated within 48 hours. Please note: In the event of a last Top Prize validation occurring on the last working day of the week, e-media digital screens will be updated on the 2nd working day of the following week. Terminal message with screensaver shall be sent to retailers within 48 hours. Allwyn will use best endeavours to communicate a terminal message within 24 hours, unless there is a high-priority communication already in place. Follow-up Terminal message with screensaver shall be sent to retailers reminding them to sell through activated stock. Summary in Bi-monthly Jackpot Magazine. Retailer Planogram when they receive new stock. Contact Centre staff informed within 24 hours. Sales Team shall be informed and shall update retailers and multiple head office accounts directly. An A4 poster will be sent to all retailers that do not have a media screen within 10 working days of validation. Allwyn shall use reasonable endeavours to ensure that the poster is displayed by these retailers.	For any game falling under Category C, advertising can refer to the Top Prize available in the game, provided that a Top Prize can still be won. If the last Non-Cash Prize, cash Top Prize, Regular Payment or Annuity Prize is validated whilst POS is still in-store, or advertising is still on air, Allwyn must ensure that the messages are changed accordingly. In the case of digital advertising, this shall be done within 24 hours. In the case of printed advertising at retailers, Allwyn shall communicate to retailers to remove the items within 10 working days and take reasonable steps to ensure retailers comply with the instruction. Allwyn shall also take the following steps to inform players and retailers: The National Lottery Line shall communicate the message to all relevant callers. www.national-lottery.co.uk shall be updated within 1 working day. E-media digital screens shall be updated within 48 hours. Please note: In the event of a last Top Prize validation occurring on the last working day of the week, e-media digital screens will be updated on the 2nd working day of the following week. Terminal message with screensaver shall be sent to retailers within 48 hours. Allwyn will use best endeavours to communicate a terminal message within 24 hours, unless there is a high-priority communication already in place. Follow-up Terminal message with screensaver shall be sent to retailers reminding them to sell through activated stock. Summary in Bi-monthly Jackpot Magazine. Retailer Planogram when they receive new stock. Contact Centre staff informed within 24 hours. Sales Team shall be informed and shall update retailers and multiple head office accounts directly. An A4 poster will be sent to all retailers that do not have a media screen within 10 working days of validation. Allwyn shall use reasonable endeavours to ensure that the poster is displayed by these retailers.

Back to the top

 

For all other games, this Code of Practice on Top Prize Management

This Code of Practice on Top Prize Management (“the Code”) for Scratchcard games covers the process which applies to the communication of Scratchcard Top Prize information to National Lottery players (including all forms of advertising).

A Top Prize refers to the highest value which is available to be won on a Scratchcard Game.

Detailed information of all prizes which are available to be won at the start of each game is provided in the Scratchcard Game Procedures available at www.national-lottery.co.uk. Details of how many Top Prizes available in a Game will be available online at www.national-lottery.co.uk.

All Scratchcards may continue to be sold if there is still a Top Prize available to be won.

Advertising can refer to the Non-Cash Prize or cash Top Prize available in the game, provided that a Non-Cash Prize or cash Top Prize can still be won.

In all cases, once a Scratchcard Game is removed from sale, Allwyn shall instruct retailers to remove any advertising material which refers to prizes. Allwyn shall take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that retailers comply with such instructions.

When a last Top Prize has been validated, Allwyn must carry out certain actions depending on which category the Scratchcard Game falls into. There are two categories as follows:

• Category 1 – Scratchcard games offering a cash Top Prize of over £50,000, a Non-Cash Prize, a Regular Payment Prize and/or an Annuity Prize.
• Category 2 – Scratchcard games offering a cash Top Prize of £50,000 or less.

The table below sets out what Allwyn is required to ensure is done (and in what time frame) once the last Top Prize has been validated in a Scratchcard Game.

Actions to be completed once the last Top Prize has been validated in a Scratchcard Game.

Action	Time Frame – Category 1	Time Frame – Category 2
Prevent further activations of the Scratchcard Game taking place* *Retailers shall be permitted to continue selling Scratchcards that have already been activated. Inactive packs will be removed from retailers at the next Scratchcards collection.	Within 24 hours of the last Top Prize being validated	Within 48 hours of the last Top Prize being validated
If the last Top Prize is validated whilst Top Prize point-of-sale is still in-store, or Top Prize advertising is still on air, ensure that the messages are changed accordingly.	In the case of digital advertising, this shall be done within 24 hours of the last Top Prize being validated. In the case of printed advertising at retailers, Allwyn shall communicate to retailers to remove the items within 10 working days and take reasonable steps to ensure retailers comply with the instruction.	In the case of digital advertising, this shall be done within 48 hours of the last Top Prize being validated. In the case of printed advertising at retailers, Allwyn shall communicate to retailers to remove the items within 10 working days and take reasonable steps to ensure retailers comply with the instruction.
Take the following steps to inform players and retailers: Update the National Lottery website (www.national-lottery.co.uk) Update e-media digital screens (this excludes screens in retailers where there is static messaging in place, or inactive e-media digital screens) Terminal message shall be sent to retailers National Lottery Line shall communicate the message to all relevant callers Sales Team shall be informed and shall update retailers and multiple head office accounts directly.	Within one working day of the last Top Prize being validated Within 48 hours of the last Top Prize being validated, or, in the event of the last Top Prize being validated on the last working day of a week, on the second working day of the following week. Within 48 hours of the last Top Prize being validated Within 24 hours of the last Top Prize being validated Within 24 hours of the last Top Prize being validated	Within two working days of the last Top Prize being validated Within 72 hours of the last Top Prize being validated, or, in the event of the last Top Prize being validated on the last working day of a week, on the second working day of the following week. Within 72 hours of the last Top Prize being validated Within 48 hours of the last Top Prize being validated Within 48 hours of the last Top Prize being validated
At any retailers with inactive e-media digital screens or no digital screen capability (where live information regarding the availability of the last Non-Cash Prize, cash Top Prize, Regular Payment or Annuity Prize is unable to be displayed) Allwyn shall ensure details of how players can find out this information is displayed.	Printed materials will be provided to such retailers within 10 working days of validation. Allwyn shall use reasonable endeavours to ensure that the insert is displayed.	Printed materials will be provided to such retailers within 10 working days of validation. Allwyn shall use reasonable endeavours to ensure that the insert is displayed.