Camelot UK has announced that it will launch a new EuroMillions HotPicks game and introduce a Tuesday Thunderball draw in January next year.

To support the launch, Camelot is giving independent retailers the chance to win a share of £50,000. To enter, retailers must visit nationallotteryallstars.co.uk and sign up to take part in the incentive. Twenty retailers will win £1,000, two retailers will win £5,000 and one lucky retailer will win £20,000.

The new 2018 games will create three extra sales opportunities for UK shop owners every week. EuroMillions HotPicks is a variation on the Lotto HotPicks game and will be played alongside the existing EuroMillions game on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The new game will cost £1.50, a pound less than EuroMillions, with a top prize of £1m. Camelot will also introduce a Tuesday Thunderball draw – in addition to the existing Thunderball draws on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - which will cost just £1.

Camelot head of retail James Pearson said: “We’re really excited about these additions to our portfolio of National Lottery games, which will help drive in-store sales and footfall. Part of our new strategy is about ensuring we’re offering something for everyone, with prizes and prices to suit different needs and pockets.

“Our retailer partners know that Thunderball players are a loyal bunch who really value smaller, more frequent wins. So, the new Tuesday draw will ensure there is always a Thunderball draw taking place alongside our other draws.

He added: “Our brand new EuroMillions HotPicks will also add choice and value. Customers can choose to play it along with EuroMillions, or they can play it as a standalone game. It will appeal to both EuroMillions players and existing Lotto HotPicks players, who will be excited to try this variation of the game they love.”

The changes were announced as part of Camelot’s wide-ranging strategic review. The National Lottery operator has been trying to encourage growth in the category. Camelot is also planning to make improvements to its flagship Lotto game in 2018, details of which will be revealed next year.

National Lottery retailers will receive a face-to-face visit and call from a Camelot representative before January to advice them on how they can make the most of the new games.

The first EuroMillions HotPicks and Tuesday Thunderball tickets will go on sale on January 25 2018. From the 30 November, Thunderball players will be restricted as to how many weeks in advance they can play the game ahead of the new January draw next year.