Bookies Face Powerball UK Betting Ban as DCMS Opens Consultation
The proposal would close a legal loophole that let bookies take bets on the new lottery format since June.
The hit
The UK government wants to shut betting firms out of Powerball UK entirely, according to SBC News. DCMS has opened a consultation on banning third-party bets on the format.
Why it matters
Betting firms can currently take bets on Powerball UK because the 2005 Gambling Act only names the original National Lottery products, & Powerball is too new to be covered. DCMS wants Powerball treated the same as the rest of the National Lottery portfolio, arguing that third-party betting risks confusing customers & cuts into money meant for good causes.
The record
| Powerball UK launch | June 2026, by Allwyn UK |
|---|---|
| Consultation deadline | Midnight, 4 November 2026 (DCMS) |
| US Powerball record jackpot | $2bn, won November 2022 |
| Legal basis for current gap | Section 95, Gambling Act 2005 |
What happens next
Betting firms & industry bodies have until the deadline to respond before any legislative change is decided.
Sources: UK closes in on National Lottery Powerball betting
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