‘It could be you’, ‘Amazing Starts Here’, Maybe, just maybe’.

The National Lottery has tried many slogans over the years, but right now you get the feeling no one believes them anymore.

Tonight, Euromillions is having a ‘special event’ where 40 people are guaranteed to become millionaires and no doubt there could be a small boost in the number of players. But the fact that gimmick is even happening points to a bigger issue

– people have fallen out of love with the institution.

I’m old enough to remember the first draw. Lottery fever gripped the nation back in 1994, with the first lottery show watched by 25 million people. But, in possibly a sign of things to come, there was disappointment as no one won the jackpot.

It seems to me the main appeal of playing has always been the hope you can win life-changing money. The famous saga of the mystery Worcester winner of a £33 million jackpot was all about that, and was welcome publicity for the draw.

But over the years the number of regular players has dropped and the lottery has waned in popularity. And I suspect various reasons for that. Changes in 2015 saw 10 extra balls introduced with the chance of winning the jackpot decreasing from one in 14m to one in 45m. Ticket costs also went up, from £1 to £2, with Euromillions going up to £2.50 – a move that got a lot of criticism. The BBC also then scrapped its lottery show. Camelot, faced with the falling sales, had a shake-up last year, dropping the raffle and boosting fixed prize wins and guaranteeing anyone matching five and the bonus a £1 million prize. It all felt a little desperate though, too little too late.

I only ever play the lottery a few times a year but I know many who enjoyed playing weekly who lost interest.

For example, a friend once matched five numbers at odds of around 100,000 to 1 – but was left disappointed with their prize of just over £1,000. When the cost of a ticket and number of balls went up, like many others that was enough for them to call it a day.

And every time regular players like them stop there are the knock-on effects, such as drop in much-needed revenue for charities.

It’s obvious the lottery draw is in big trouble. Major changes are needed if it is to have a long-term future.

READ MORE: Worcester's £33 million National Lottery jackpot successfully claimed