Overview
- The National Lottery confirmed on May 21 that limited-edition scratch-coins designed by London artist Hattie Stewart will be handed out free with any scratchcard at selected UK retailers from May 23 while stocks last.
- Each token is slightly larger than a £2 coin, made from recycled materials, and carries the Lottery’s crossed-fingers logo, the slogan “It could be you” and the number 30 to mark three decades of scratchcards.
- The launch was presented with a brand-commissioned OnePoll survey of 2,000 adults that found 65% rarely carry cash, 40% have been unable to pay for small items without coins or notes, and many people improvise tools to scratch tickets.
- The coins are promotional, not legal tender, and the Lottery says they are intended as collectible accessories to restore the traditional coin-for-scratching ritual while supplies last.
- The campaign highlights the practical friction of Britain’s shift to cashless payments and could boost footfall for scratchcard sales and demand for small physical tokens if collectors and consumers keep using them.