The National Lottery celebrates 30 years of game changing funding in Northern Ireland

At a special event held in Stormont, the Ministers and MLAs met a wide range of organisations from grassroots community groups to large-scale institutions, all of whom have benefited from vital support provided by The National Lottery.

They heard how funding from The National Lottery has had a significant impact on arts, community, heritage and sporting sectors.

Among those in attendance were representatives from:

• Compass Advocacy Network – a Ballymoney -based initiative which works to improve the skills, confidence and independence of people with learning disabilities and ensure they have a voice within their communities.

• Eastside Partnership – guardians of the Connswater Community Greenway, which was transformed with help of a National Lottery grant of £23.5 million.

• As well as representatives from The Playhouse Theatre, Lyric Theatre, Bangor Courthouse, Divis and the Black Mountain project, Commonwealth Games NI and Swim Ulster, who spoke to MLAs of the positive impact of funding in their areas.
  

Also present were the NI Directors and Chairs of The National Lottery distributors, Arts Council Northern Ireland, The National Lottery Community Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Sport Northern Ireland, as well as representatives from the operator Allwyn, National Lottery retailers and winners.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: “National Lottery funding has made a positive and lasting difference to countless lives and so many communities here over the last 30 years.
“The fact that funding for good causes has reached every postcode area in Northern Ireland, and that almost everyone has benefited from a National Lottery-funded project, reflects the enormity of what has been delivered.”

Junior Minister Aisling Reilly said: “Lottery funding has benefited so many people, it has nurtured talent, improved health and wellbeing, created jobs and encouraged creativity, and these very much align with our approach and ambition as an Executive. The impact of the Lottery has been transformative for so many of our communities here.”

Justin King CBE, Chair of Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery said: “We’re celebrating £1.5 billion of funding supporting Good Causes across Northern Ireland - all thanks to National Lottery players.

It isn’t just about the big numbers, or your own lucky numbers – it's the countless lives changed and communities transformed, as well as the millionaires made. In addition to Good Cause beneficiaries, we have over 1,500 National Lottery retail partners across Northern Ireland acting as the public face of The National Lottery. Raising vital funds by selling National Lottery tickets and earning, on average thousands of pounds every year in sales commission, we're committed to supporting them for many years to come.

As we look forward, our plans to transform The National Lottery are underway and we’re fully committed to building on this success story.”

Kate Beggs, chair of the Northern Ireland National Lottery Forum and Northern Ireland director at The National Lottery Community Fund said: 
“The National Lottery has been a game changer for Northern Ireland. Its impact on arts, film, heritage, sports, and communities across Northern Ireland is unparalleled. For three decades, it has empowered individuals and communities, enabling thousands of transformative projects. As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, we look forward to building on this legacy and supporting even more Game Changing Moments for future generations.” 

Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £30 million is raised every week for good causes in the UK.

In addition to changing the face of communities, more than 7,400 millionaires have been created and more than £95 billion awarded in prizes since the launch of the National Lottery in 1994. In Northern Ireland the National Lottery has made 195 millionaires and 975 high-tier winners (over £50,000).

Thirty years of National Lottery funding has created an unparalleled legacy in Northern Ireland: powering sporting excellence, protecting cultural treasures, advancing artistic achievement and strengthening communities across the north. 

Among the first National Lottery grants awarded in Northern Ireland in April 1995 was £195,000 to Belfast City Council for the construction of a pavilion at the Mary Peters Athletics Track.

The largest single grant in Northern Ireland was £45 million awarded to the Odyssey Trust Company in 1997 for the construction of the SSE Arena.