The announcement comes as The National Lottery – which began in November 1994 – celebrates its 30th birthday. Since the first draw was held, the much-loved institution has supported more than 650,000 community, sport, heritage and arts projects across the UK. It has also created more than 7,400 millionaires and paid out more than £95BN in prizes.

The National Lottery’s 30th anniversary and the incredible impact of £50BN of funding for good causes, is being celebrated by an exhibition called 30 Game Changing Moments by photographer Thomas Duke. The exhibition – unveiled at London’s National Portrait Gallery – sees the artist using his unique style to highlight some of the most memorable cultural moments of the past three decades made possible with the help of National Lottery funding.

Thomas Duke is renowned for his project @steppingthroughfilm in which iconic photographs are re-photographed in the context of their original location. To create 30 Game Changing Moments, he travelled the length and breadth of the UK to recreate moments which epitomise the National Lottery’s success in sport, arts and film, preserving natural and built heritage and bringing communities together.

Actors Michael Sheen and Vicky McClure, Olympian Jess Ennis and Lioness Chloe Kelly, are among the famous faces featured in a series of films that are part of the exhibition. The Game Changing Moments celebrated by Thomas Duke include the opening of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in 1997, the release of Bend It Like Beckham in 2002, street parties celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Keely Hodgkinson winning gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Andria Vidler, CEO of Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, said, “Today marks a remarkable milestone as National Lottery players have now raised £50BN for good causes across the UK. Over 30 years, this hasn’t just been about numbers – it's been about countless lives changed and communities transformed, while continuing to create millionaires nationwide. As we look forward, our plans to transform The National Lottery are underway and we're committed to raising even more for these vital good causes.”

Baroness Twycross, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said, "The National Lottery’s 30th birthday marks a remarkable legacy of building resilient, inclusive and healthier communities across the UK. Over the last three decades it has funded hundreds of thousands of grassroots projects, getting more people involved in sport and cultural opportunities, as well as supporting our world class Team GB and Paralympics GB athletes.

"The National Lottery has raised a staggering £50BN for good causes since it was established and has transformed numerous landmarks from the V&A Dundee and the Royal Albert Hall to the Angel of the North and the Eden Project. “I am delighted to celebrate The National Lottery’s continued role in improving lives in every part of our country.”

View the images in Thomas Duke’s 30 Game Changing Moments exhibition.

20th November 2024