New National Lottery scratchcard rules are the biggest changes in 30 years, Allwyn - the operator - has said. The operator, which is responsible for Lotto, Thunderball and more, has unveiled innovative scratchcard retail technology that it is trialling at an Asda store in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Developed by Allwyn’s lottery technology partner, Scientific Games, the hi-tech Scratchcard dispenser – named the SCiQ retail ecosystem – features an engaging 27-inch player-facing digital display, a touch screen terminal for use by store staff, and an automated dispensing unit which securely houses National Lottery Scratchcard games.

In a first for The National Lottery and the UK, the advanced technology speeds up the Scratchcard sales process, while providing retailers with a comprehensive suite of data-driven features, including touch-of-a-button store reporting, automated inventory management, real-time store-specific sales analytics and performance reports.

Once a customer has decided which games they want from the screen, the store’s staff member simply selects the customer’s choice from the digital touch screen terminal. The secure system then automatically records the ticket information as it dispenses the Scratchcards, with the tickets then handed to the customer.