SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The High Court of England and Wales has decided against a legal claim by International Game Technology (IGT) regarding the upcoming National Lottery licence transition.
IGT and outgoing National Lottery operator Camelot UK both lodged complaints against the UK Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) decision to issue the fourth National Lottery licence to Allwyn in September 2021.
Both claims were dropped in September 2022, but IGT mounted a fresh legal challenge against the UKGC’s decision in January, claiming damages of up to £600m due to being a long-term supplier of lottery solutions to Camelot.
In the case of Camelot, the company dropped its case back in September 2022 as mentioned above, and was subsequently acquired by Czech-founded pan-European operator Allwyn.
Following the High Court ruling, the UKGC has stated that it will continue working towards a ‘seamless and timely transition to the next licence’.
However, there is one outstanding legal challenge relating to the licence transition, coming from Northern and Shell Group’s The New Lottery Company (TNLC) – the UKGC has said that it is unaware of what actions TNLC will take.
The Commission’s statement read: “We remain resolute that we have run a fair and robust competition, and that our evaluation has been carried out fairly and lawfully in accordance with our statutory duties.
“We have taken every step possible to ensure a level playing field for all interested parties, to enable us to appoint a licensee who will engage and protect players, run the National Lottery with integrity and ensure the National Lottery maximises support for good causes and its contribution to society through further innovation and investment.”
Having acquired Camelot and the Camelot Lottery Systems Group and cleared the various legal and regulatory requirements, Allwyn is set to assume the fourth 10-year National Lottery licence in February 2024, bringing an end to Camelot’s sole tenure as operator of the lottery held since 1994.
