Camelot sales slump sparks concerns over 2012 funding

Sales of Camelot’s Olympic fundraising game Dream Number have fallen by a third since it launched last year, calling into question the ability of the National Lottery to raise £2.2bn to fund the 2012 games.

Dream Number was launched in July 2006 to replace the underperforming Lotto Extra game. All good cause funds from each £1 Dream Number ticket go to supporting the 2012 Games and the Paralympics.

The latest figures from Camelot show that between July and October this year, Dream Number sales averaged £1.1m a week. This compares to an average of £1.3m a week between January and March this year and £1.5m a week between October and December 2006. In one week during that quarter, sales hit £2m. On average, sales have slumped by about one-third.

A Camelot spokesman says the decline is down to fluctuating sales as people play different games according to the level of jackpot on offer. He adds that Camelot has so far raised over £200m for the Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund.

Separately, Camelot has announced half-year sales figures showing sales have risen by 1.5% to £2.378m for the six months to the end of September compared with the same period last year. Interactive sales have increased 33% to £163m while non-draw sales have increased by 20% to £523m.