Camelot, which has run the lottery since its inception in 1994, was named reserve applicant and would continue in its role should the Gambling Commission fail to finalize a deal with Allwyn.
Allwyn selection follows a competitive tender process that also involved The New Lottery Company and Italy’s Sisal, as well as Camelot. Reports last month claimed that the regulator had already decided on Camelot, but the Commission quickly dismissed the claims as “inaccurate”.
Gambling Commission chief executive Andrew Rhodes said the number of bidders was evidence that the tender process had been well-run.
“In its lifetime, the National Lottery has raised more than £45 billion for good causes and is rightly seen as a great national asset. Our priority was to run a competition that would attract a strong field of candidates. Having received the most applications since 1994, it is clear that we’ve achieved just that,” Rhodes said.
“I am confident that the success of the competition will lead to a highly successful fourth licence – one that maximises returns to good causes, promotes innovation, delivers against our statutory duties, and which ultimately protects the unique status of the National Lottery,” Rhodes added.
John Tanner, Gambling Commission executive director and senior responsible owner for the licence competition, said all four bids were impressive. The regulator also noted that all four businesses were considered “fit and proper” to run the lottery.
Allwyn, the Gambling Commission noted, had committed to investing in the lottery, which would deliver growth and innovation across its products and channels. "This, in turn, would increase contributions to good causes", the regulator said.
“I am confident that the success of the competition will lead to a highly successful fourth licence – one that maximises returns to good causes, promotes innovation, delivers against our statutory duties, and which ultimately protects the unique status of the National Lottery,” Rhodes concludes.
With the preferred applicant selected, a “legal standstill period” now begins. In this period, all applicants may “consider the outcome of the competition and feedback on their application” before the Commission enters into a legal agreement with Allwyn.
With this agreement is signed, Allwyn will be considered the “incoming licensee” and the implementation period for the new licence will begin.
The previous licence, held by Camelot, was initially set to expire in August 2023, but this was pushed back by six months last year.
Source: iGB
