Camelot is making waves again regarding their loss of the tender for administering the National Lottery in the United Kingdom. The corporation presently administering the National Lottery is suing after being denied the next licence.
Camelot has filed a complaint with the Gambling Commission following the Gambling Commission’s selection of competitor Allwyn as the preferred candidate for the lottery’s next licence, which will begin in 2024. Camelot’s CEO stated that the regulator “wrongly made this conclusion.”
The Gambling Commission stated that the competition was “fair and vigorous.” The National Lottery is one of the world’s largest lotteries, having raised over £45 billion for over 660,000 charities around the United Kingdom. It has also contributed to funding training and infrastructure for Great Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic competitors during the last three decades.
While Camelot was not chosen as the preferred candidate for the subsequent licence, it was designated as the “reserve applicant.” “We were taken aback by certain elements of the ruling when we heard it,” said Nigel Railton, Camelot’s chief executive.
He criticised the Gambling Commission for failing to “give an adequate response” to the challenge to the move. “As a result, we are left with no alternative except to petition the court to determine what occurred,” he stated.
Allwyn Entertainment Ltd is a subsidiary of Sazka, Europe’s largest lottery operator, controlled by Czech oil and gas magnate Karel Komarek. It was given the next licence to run the most popular lotteries in the UK, covering the Lotto, Thunderball, and EuroMillions games.
By beginning in early 2021, Allwyn signalled its plan to manage the National Lottery. Its advisory board comprises Lord Coe, a former London 2012 Olympic organising committee member, and Sir Keith Mills, an entrepreneur.
According to the Gambling Commission, the competition was “fair and vigorous.”
“We deplore Camelot’s decision to commence legal actions following the conclusion of a highly successful competition for the fourth National Lottery licence,” it said in a statement.
It said it took “all reasonable steps to maintain a level playing field for all interested parties.” However, Nigel Railton, CEO of Camelot, expressed worry over its 1,000 employees who had “laboured ceaselessly” on the National Lottery since its inception.
“At the absolute least, they are entitled to an adequate explanation,” he said, urging the High Court to conduct the procedure’s “independent examination”.
Allwyn called the reward a “new beginning” for the lottery last month.
“To all Camelot staff, please join us on this exciting new path for the National Lottery,” bid chairman Sir Keith Mills wrote in March. He promised the staff of Camelot that they would be “protected in the event of a transfer.” “We will ensure that the National Lottery benefits everyone,” he stated.