Allwyn UK holds second Participant Protection Conference in London

Gambling Commission Acting CEO Sarah Gardner delivers keynote as sessions cover lottery literacy, neurodiversity and product risk.

Allwyn UK, operator of The National Lottery, this week hosted its second Participant Protection Conference, “Evolving Participant Protection: Evidence, Insight & Action”, at Kings Place in London.

The event brought together regulatory leaders, academics, researchers and industry experts to discuss evidence, insights and best practice in responsible play, including how research, accessibility and behavioural insights can inform participant protection approaches.

Sarah Gardner, Acting CEO of the Gambling Commission, delivered the keynote address and said that Allwyn UK’s commitment to strengthen participant protection as part of its bid to operate The National Lottery is “now being delivered and progressing.” Allwyn UK Interim CEO Phil Walker opened the conference, focusing on the operator’s ambition to “grow The National Lottery responsibly” and calling for collaboration and “open, honest evidence sharing.”

Sessions included a Lottery Literacy Workshop led by Dr Richard Wood, a session on the characteristics of product risk led by Dr Jonathan Parke, and a panel on neurodiversity and responsible play featuring Clare Palmer (IFF Research), Sarah Fox (Gambling Commission) and Liam Hassell (Hassell Inclusion).

Allwyn UK linked the conference to recent participant protection measures across The National Lottery, including ongoing development of Operation Guardian (retail mystery shopping and knowledge checks), a 10-Scratchcard purchase limit introduced in 2024, expansion of its standalone Responsible Play website, and new digital controls on The National Lottery website and app, including an enhanced interventions programme for potentially at-risk customers and a £50 first-deposit limit for new online customers.