Camelot has announced its highest-ever first-half National Lottery ticket sales, reporting £3.9bn ($5.3bn) for the first six months of the 2021/22 financial year.

This represents an increase of £107.3m or 2.7% over the same time last year, driven by a strong performance from its draw-based games segment, which includes lotto, as well as steady retail recovery. But above all else, Camelot credited the Tokyo Olympics for its record-breaking growth in H1.

The National Lottery embarked on its largest-ever brand campaign for the 2020 Games that ran all summer, while Camelot went on to orchestrate two ‘Homecoming’ events at Wembley that were broadcast on BBC One and Channel 4.

In addition, ticket sales growth contributed to a 6.5% rise in money generated for ‘Good Causes’, which came to £884.5m in total, up from last year’s £863.7m despite unclaimed prizes — which are handed over to Good Causes — being down by 59.1%.

“I’m delighted to announce another record sales performance for the National Lottery. Crucially, this meant that we were able to deliver growth in returns to Good Causes, prizes paid to players and Lottery Duty to the Treasury,” said Camelot Chairman Sir Hugh Robertson.

“Our profit was once again aligned with returns to Good Causes at the half-year stage and will be around 1% of sales for the full year in accordance with our licence. An incredible £45bn has now been raised for National Lottery Good Causes — 65% more than the most optimistic Treasury forecasts at the time of launch.”

Over £2.7bn was awarded to players in prize money, up by £30.6m and creating 184 new millionaires. Moreover, Camelot highlighted what it called “continued digital innovation” which it deemed responsible for record online sales that amounted to £1.6bn, up by £4.6m or 0.2% from last year.